Frank Sinatra was once attributed as saying "I feel sorry for people that don't drink because when they wake up in the morning, that is the best they're going to feel all day".
It is beyond the remit of StressBustingExpert™ to extol the virtues or otherwise of drinking alcohol, or the precise effect it has on people. Everyone is different so capacity and tolerance can vascilate widely from person to person.
But we think comments like this from celebrities who many look up to, while perhaps humorous and considered 'cool', are a little irresponsible.
We also see a concerning phenomena in the advertising campaigns of major drinks companies which appears misleading in that it attempts wrongly (and again, in our view irresponsibly) to create an entirely unsustainable direct or subliminal connection between their alcoholic products and a sense of good health/wellness sometimes, for example, based only on only trace fruit content. So we treat such advertising with guarded caution.
But like many, we enjoy the odd tipple and particularly the social engagement that comes with a visit to our local. However, we are keenly aware of how easy it would be to develop a reliance on alcohol, as this is of course visible throughout all communities.
And as the years progress, as do the hangovers and lasting impact worsen
So let's be honest up front as there is no getting round it, excess alcohol consumed on either a binge or continuous is not good for you in any way.
From a StressBusting™ perspective, it's impact on the nervous system is extremely damaging.
For people with a diagnosed anxiety condition, or merely those with a natural propensity toward anxiety, it can exacerbate symptoms severely. We have heard this referred to as both "Beer Fear" and "the Jitters'.
And the dire physical impact of overindulgence can eventually become irreversible.
We therefore exercise a policy of only drinking if it feels 'right' for us to enjoy a drink (regardless of "occasion"), do so in moderation given our advancing years and never drink because we are anxious or to 'escape' any life challenge we are facing.
Because we know from experience that alcohol doesn't resolve the issue to hand, but rather leaves you less equipped to deal with it in a measured, effective fashion.
And we do not for this same reason allow ourselves to be pushed or pressured into drinking even on social occasions unless it feels 'right' for us. This involves observing our mood at the time and making a reasoned judgement from it.
We also stay away from drinks that we know do not agree with us. That means in our case veering clear from the likes of whiskey and gin, for example. After all, we wouldn't voluntarily eat something we knew was going to make us poorly, so why would we drink it?!!
For further material relevant to this post, feel free to visit our posts entitled "The Dangers of Denial to StressBusting™", "The Relationship between Toxicity & Stressbusting™" , "Identifying & StressBusting™ Panic Attacks" and "Learn to "Observe" as opposed to merely "See" to Stressbust™ efficiently".
And please also look out for specialist guest posts on this important issue in the weeks and months to come.
We talk about the relative merits in some situations of letting people do as they please in our post entitled "Break Time Quickie - Adopt the French approach of "Laissez Faire" to StressBust™".
But readers who think their or their loved ones relationship with alcohol is adversely affecting their work, health or wellbeing in a manner that requires some of the excellent support available this day and age, please do not feel embarrassed or stigmatised as you are not alone, and instead reach out or see our Legal Notices page for relevant info.
Much love and care as always
MikeyM™&LouLoU™ 🙂💚💙💜💯 xxxxx