You're sitting on the couch wondering what to do instead of drinking. It seems everyone and their mother is going out, and you are just not feeling it.
The cyclical drinking culture can be so challenging to hop out of. Not only does it become habitual, but it feeds off itself...
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You will learn the best ideas to answer the burning question of, what to do instead of drinking. A great lead way into mastering alcohol moderation and stepping into a regulated life.
This post is all about what to do instead of drinking.
What to Do Instead of Drinking
Community + Connection Ideas
Maybe the most challenging part about getting out of the party is the connection and community aspect. In our society, we tend to revolve social circles around a bottle or the bar. So, finding new avenues for community can seem daunting.
So, here are some ideas to branch out and start to find connection in other areas of your life to scratch that itch, but also honoring your body in the meantime.
Host a game night with drinking alternatives
Personally, game nights are few and far between for me. But, I am a huge fan of healthy drinking alternatives! A great way to connect with people and still have a good time over some friendly competition.
Plan a dinner party
Tacos, pasta, pizza, burgers, wings, you name it (just without the emphasis on drinking). Or have drinking alternatives on hand!
Of course, a movie night
A lot of the time, I don't want to go out drinking because I am just wanting to stay home and be cozy. If everyone wanted to come over to my house and watch a movie that would be great with me.
Join a local yoga studio that does late-night candle lit yoga
Sometimes you can find a local yoga studio that does candle lit yoga and it will change you life! It is so relaxing and occupies your mind enough that you really won't be thinking about the bars...
Go out to coffee with friends (instead of drinks)
When I stopped going out and partying all the time, I realized I naturally started to go out and get coffees with friends instead. Even to a cute cafe that has herbal teas (if it's late) is a great thing when you are wondering what to do instead of drinking.
Invite friends out to a spa
This one I must start getting into more!! A spa vibe can be unbeatable sometimes. If you go to the spa you can chat in the sauna, do a cold plunge, get a pedicure and yap all afternoon/evening!
Attend a local class!
When I was living in Colorado, we had a lovely herbal shop right down the street from us and they offered weekly classes. From herbal medicine making to a class on psychedelics, they had it all. So, check out some places near you, maybe a pottery class, photography, flower arranging, etc!
Get involved in volunteering
Obviously, this one will automatically make you feel good! Whether you volunteer at a local soup kitchen, the church, or a school. Once you start volunteering you can mend your schedule around for it, which gives you less time to go out drinking.
Join a weekly meetup
Church group, yoga/pilates group, hiking/surfing group, the ideas are endless! Anything that is something other than going out drinking. Check out Facebook groups in your area and see what people are up to!
Start a new tradition of Sunday night dinners
Sometimes in a group of friends we need one person to be the ring leader of good habits. Starting a Sunday night dinner tradition with friends can help alleviate pressure of the bar scene and still offer a great opportunity to connect.
Mood Boosting Ideas
Are you in the drinking cycle as we speak and this is your attempt to get out? Listen, I get it, it can get a bit depressing (not because of you, but because of the nature of alcohol!). So, know that it's not you... It's them.
These mood boosting ideas are meant to help pull you out of that rut, bring you back into the light, and give you the natural dopamine you are thirsty for.
Take a sunrise or sunset walk
Sometimes when we have alcohol cravings, all we need to do is get off our phones and go outside (yes, I'm talking to the scrollers out there!). Trust me, this one helps a ton!
Do strength training
Nothing will boost your mood like weight training. Either have some dumbbells at home or go to a crossfit class. Your dopamine will be rushing you won't even have the energy to think about drinking!
Slow gentle stretches
When I say slow gentle stretches, I mean deep breaths and long holds. When I teach yoga that is the essence of what I teach: Deep breaths. It is a sure way to connect with your body and fully surrender.
Go for a run
Often times, I find that I want to go out drinking because I have an immense amount of energy. That can often be the case for many people, so harnessing that energy for something more beneficial to your health is a great alternative.
Join a boxing class
Again, sometimes we drink out of pent up energy and even that can be negative pent up energy. To fix that, we can take it out in a boxing class!
Go for a bike ride
Do you ever get that feeling when you are biking around? Almost like you are 10 years old again with the breeze flowing through your hair and the sun is setting and it feels... Magical? Well, go re-create that!
Roller skate around town!
In the small town I live in, people love to roller skate. Especially the ladies and at sunset or sunrise. If you live in a hilly town then use caution, but if you live somewhere flat this is SO fun. Get a pair of skates off Facebook marketplace!
Do a mini circuit workout bodyweight style
Another workout alternative is a bodyweight workout integrated into a circuit. Personally, this my GO TO kind of workout. Especially for women, it can be more gentle on our bodies and allow us to flow.
Practice some breathwork
Have you heard of Whim Hof? Once upon a time, I did a breathwork class that was basically the Whim Hof method and it blew my mind! Breathwork can be a tool to help us connect back to our bodies, get blood flowing, and be a new skill to integrate into our wellness routines.
Go to a cross-fit class
Of course, the most intense of intense is a cross-fit class! Burn those calories, burn those desires. It's quick, and then you go home have a power shake and watch a movie and fall into heavenly sleep.
Wellness Ideas to Do Instead of Drinking
I can find these to be challenging to undertake when I am tempted with the idea of drinking.
Drinking alcohol is a stimulating experience with lights, people, chatter, the light buzz you get. And instead, we are trying to slow down and... Meditate? That seems impossible sometimes.
So, take it easy and maybe get a workout in before you do one of these to burn out some energy!
Draw yourself a hot bath
For a more relaxing a regenerative evening than drinking, this is a no-brainer. Use the lovely bath salts with magnesium to soothe your muscles and ease you into rest.
Make a luxurious herbal tea
Herbs are so underrated, and as women that is our power house of wisdom. Using herbs to nurture your health and your families is a game changer. Check out Mountain Rose Herbs for the best organic teas!
Turn on a calming, lovely playlist
Sometimes it's all about the calming music, sometimes it's all about the hip-hop, depending on what you are feeling turn it on while you engage in these wellness tricks!
Journal sesh
Of course, a journal sesh is a great alternative to any drinking occasion when you are looking for what to do instead of drinking. Here are journal prompts to ask yourself if you ought to quit drinking altogether or just drink less.
Guided meditation
In the bath, or before your journal sesh, do a guided meditation. There are tons of apps and teacher on YouTube that can guide you beautifully through a meditation.
Start a gratitude list
Get that journal out, get those stickies notes, literally anything and start writing your gratitudes!
Read a book, go get a book, or start a devotional
I know this one sounds way less fun than going out drinking, but if you read something that interests you then it IS fun.
Face mask, hair mask, all the things!
My favorite thing when I am home alone or need a little reboot is a homemade face mask, avocado hair mask, all the things. For example, coffee & coconut oil body scrub, egg hair mask (yes, I'm serious), and bentonite face mask.
Diffuse essential oils
Along with other wellness ideas, diffuse some essential oils! This cleanses the air in your home and will refresh your mind, body, and spirit. (I gotta get more of this!!)
Give yourself a self-massage with roller or ball
A great alternative to going out and getting a massage, using a roller ball and rolling around on the floor can be so healing. Sometimes this plus some gentle stretching is the key.
Listen to an uplifting podcast
A new thing that is amazing, get filled up with something uplifting instead of filling yourself with alcohol (that you will feel tomorrow). Listen to something inspiring, or something that encourages you to be better.
Do a digital detox
Instead, do a creative project, rest, etc. The idea of not drinking, but then just staying at home and scrolling is basically the same thing as going out... Consume wellness-based things!!
Go into deep reflection
For us women, depending on the time in our cycle this can be so beneficial and quite easy to drop into. Usually, the luteal phase is the best for reflection and strategizing.
Creative Ideas
Bake something new
The BEST idea, put some music on and just have some fun baking something new. Try some cheesecake, a chocolate cake, even bourbon brownies. The options are endless!
Make your own skincare products
I got really into making my own products, it can be so easy, it is SO rewarding and a great way to invest into your wellness (instead of spending your money on drinking).
Make your own cleaning products
Making your own products includes making your own cleaning products! Go onto Pinterest and search ways to replace your chemical cleaners with healthy alternatives.
Do that one project you've been needing to do.... (declutter)
Decluttering your space is the surest way to clean your own energy. If you are feeling anxious, frustrated, irritated, etc, then clean something and declutter!
Redecorate a space in your home
Or how about that one space in your home that you have been wanting to re-organize or re-decorate. Maybe that means replanting some plants, buying plants and decorating...
Start a creative project
Which bring us to the next idea, start a creative project. That could be herbalism, gardening, house plants, painting a wall in your house, building that one thing you wanted to, etc!
Pick up an instrument
A "creative-ish" project is to pick up an instrument. Not my thing, but my really good friend swears by her guitar. Learning how to play the guitar, for her, saved her from the downward spiral of drinking.
Spend time on a passion project
What is that ONE thing that you love? Maybe you don't know what that is yet, or you are exploring more options. Either way, start that journey and create a beautiful passion project that inspires you.
Go for a drive and get ice cream
Me and my man's absolute favorite thing when we are searching for what to do instead of drinking. A simple evening drive can be all you need to get out of the house, get a treat, maybe stop by a park or something, and head home to relax.
Ask your man to take you on a date
Speaking of our men, ask yours to take you on a date! Go to the art museum, the park, walk the strip (whatever that means to you), etc.
Start, or tend to, your indoor plants!
A creative, and even passion, project that can swallow you up. I get really excited thinking about how I want my house plants, my herb garden etc. There's so much inspiration on Pinterest to get inspired!
Find new music
Sometimes I can get into such a vibe just laying on my floor listening to new hip hop, R&B, etc. Before I even know it, 2 hours has passed. I light a nice little candle and it ends up being the best night.