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Let's Talk Over Drinks

Let's Talk Over Drinks This Holiday Season
 
 

It’s the Holiday Season… Let’s Talk Over Drinks

The holiday season is a time for family, friends and celebrations, but it’s also a period when many people tend to drink more alcohol. This increase is often due to frequent gatherings, social pressure, emotional stress, loneliness and traditions that involve drinking alcohol. However, drinking more during the holidays can harm your health, strain relationships and increase the risk of injuries. On the other hand, cutting back on alcohol can improve your health and overall well-being. As you get ready for the holiday season Let’s Talk Over Drinks with fact-based information on alcohol to help you make informed choices that will enhance your peace and joy over this special time!

To make an informed choice when drinking alcohol, it is important to understand what a standard drink is, so you know how much you are drinking. 

A standard drink has 13.45 grams of alcohol, regardless of the kind of drink you are having.  For example, a 142 ml glass of wine and a 341 ml glass of beer both have about 13.45 g of alcohol, so they are each equal to one standard drink.

It is easy to measure your alcohol use by counting standard drinks.

The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research’s standard drink calculator is a tool you can use to help convert your drinks into standard sizes so that you can understand just how much you’re having.

 

What is a standard drink?
If you choose to drink, Canada’s new Guidance on Alcohol and Health has an easy way to figure out how risky drinking alcohol can be for your health:
• 1–2 standard drinks per week is low risk
• 3–6 standard drinks per week is a moderate risk
• 7 or more standard drinks per week is an increasingly high risk
• No matter where you are on that continuum of alcohol use, for your health, less is better
• If you’re going to drink, don’t exceed more than 2 drinks on any day
• When pregnant or trying to get pregnant, there is no known safe amount of alcohol

 

Understanding Your Risks for Alcohol Related Harms
• Evidence shows that drinking alcohol increases the risk of long-term health harms, including seven types of cancer, most cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, and alcohol dependency.
• Heavy drinking can also have long-term impact on hormone levels, including the primary sex. hormone – testosterone. For men, lower testosterone can have a negative effect on mood, energy levels, muscle mass, sex drive and fertility.
• Alcohol consumption can also have immediate harms such as violence, injuries, and motor vehicle collisions.
• The more you drink, the more you increase your risk of immediate and long-term harms.

 

how alcohol can harm your health

 
If you plan to enjoy alcohol during the holidays, here are some ways you can reduce harm: 

• Set a limit and stick to it
• Drink slowly
• Drink lots of water
• For every drink of alcohol, have one non-alcoholic drink
• Choose alcohol-free or low-alcohol beverages
• Eat before and while you’re drinking
Check out these easy and delicious mocktail recipes! 

  

Tips for drinking less alcohol

Binge drinking is a significant concern during the holidays, as individuals may consume excessive amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.  Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks on a single occasion for males and four or more for females.

Consuming more than two standard drinks per drinking occasion is associated with an increased risk of harms to self and others, including injuries and violence.

Risks associated with binge drinking:

• Alcohol Poisoning
• Injuries 
• Aggression and violence 
• Harms to brain development in youth 
• Unprotected or unwanted sex

 

Risks associated with binge drinking
When you reduce or stop drinking alcohol, not only do you lower your risk for serious health problems, but you will begin to experience other positive changes that can improve your social and mental wellbeing. 

 

Health Benefits may include:

• Feeling better in the morning
• More energy during the day 
• Better looking skin 
• Better mood stability
• Better sleep  
• Healthier immune system 
• Improved decision making 
• Healthier relationships 

  

Benefits of reducing alcohol intake

 

The holiday season can be stressful, and many people turn to alcohol to relax and cope with the pressure.  However, drinking too much can harm your physical and mental health, and affect your actions and decision-making.

Here are some helpful tips to manage your stress and mental health without using alcohol:

1. Plan – Organize your holiday tasks and activities in advance to reduce last-minute stress
2. Be realistic – Don’t pressure yourself to create the "perfect" holiday. Focus on what truly matters
3. Say no – If you feel overwhelmed, let friends and family know you can’t take on more
4. Stay active – Physical activity is an excellent way to reduce stress and anxiety
5. Set aside differences – Focus on enjoying time with others and steer conversations toward positive, uplifting topics
6. Acknowledge your feelings – It’s okay not to feel joyful all the time. Accept your emotions, whether you’re feeling excited, sad, stressed, or anything in between

Here are some hosting tips so that everyone can have a great time:

• Don’t make drinking the focus of your holiday party or gathering. Include activities and entertainment that are fun and engaging that shift the focus away from alcohol and drinking games
• Be sure your guests are made to feel comfortable choosing not to drink. Have alcohol-free alternatives such as a mocktail, pop, juice, water or coffee
• Serve plenty of nutritious food options so no one drinks alcohol on an empty stomach
• Serve measured drinks or appoint a bartender – guests tend to drink more when there's an open bar
• Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party ends. Offer guests desserts, coffee and other alcohol-free drinks
• As the host, drink moderately or don’t drink at all. This way your judgement will not be impaired
• Have a plan to get guests home safe or accommodate guests staying over
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