It’s 2020. Bottoms up!
If you happen to’re like me, you then’ve been ingesting extra closely in 2020 due to all of the stress. The world is on hearth (actually and metaphorically), so we desperately crave stress aid. And alcohol serves this goal completely — till it doesn’t.
On this submit, I’m going to encourage you to hitch me and thousands and thousands of others worldwide for Sober October. I’m additionally going to provide you some ideas, together with qigong ideas, that can make issues even simpler for you.
However from the start, I need you to grasp that I’m not a monk (not but a minimum of). For many of my grownup life, I’ve drunk alcohol to various levels, from a low of possibly 4 drinks per week to a excessive of possibly 30 per week once I was battling despair.
So there is no such thing as a “holier-than-thou” vibe on this submit.
I first heard of Sober October in 2019. I noticed a submit on Instagram on October 2nd and determined, hey, I’m going to do that.
So I did simply that. Despite the fact that I used to be late to the get together, I jumped in and did 30 days with out booze. In truth, I felt so good that I did 30 extra proper after it, simply because!
Throughout my divorce in 2018, I began to drink closely. I felt like my life had fallen aside and so I began to drown my sorrows in bourbon every evening.
Cliche a lot? Sure, however it’s cliche for a motive.
One evening, as I used to be ingesting alone in my house, I began to have suicidal ideas. The ideas had been gentle, however they had been undoubtedly current.
I’m not a stranger to suicidal ideas. Nonetheless, I’m additionally nicely conscious of the hazards. In 2017, the suicide fee was highest amongst middle-aged white males, who accounted for nearly 70% of all suicides. On the time, I used to be a 46-year previous man with a historical past of suicidal despair who was additionally going via a tricky divorce. Hazard, Will Robinson!
And so, with out actually figuring out what I used to be doing, I made a decision to give up ingesting for 30 days. Alcohol, I made a decision, was too harmful for me throughout a divorce.
I did 30 days with out booze, utilizing kombucha every evening as a substitute of my normal bourbon (see the guidelines under). And you realize what? It actually wasn’t that dangerous.
Inside every week I began sleeping higher. After 2 weeks my power ranges had been a lot, a lot increased. And after 3 weeks my despair had stabilized though the divorce course of was nonetheless as worrying as ever.
Most significantly, the suicidal ideas disappeared utterly. Hey, possibly they name alcohol a depressant for a motive?
Sure, I missed alcohol, however the cravings had been in my thoughts greater than anyplace else. Because of qigong, I used to be in a position to make use of mindfulness to take care of these thoughts cravings (extra on that later).
At one level, I really went out to dinner with a good friend and watched him drink beer whereas I drank Perrier.
I can not let you know how inconceivable this had appeared only a month earlier. Exit to dinner with out ingesting alcohol? Whereas different persons are ingesting round me? Inconceivable!
And but, I did it. And you realize what? It wasn’t that dangerous.
I’m prepared to guess good cash that, by now, your mind is conveniently reminding you of the numerous analysis research displaying that alcohol, carefully, is nice for you.
I’m not going to argue towards that analysis. I’m, nonetheless, going to level out one key phrase: moderation.
Look, you’re studying this submit for a motive. You realize that you simply left moderation within the mud just a few months again, and even for those who’re not prepared for Sober October proper now, you’re a minimum of considering, “possibly subsequent 12 months.”
Good. Which means you acknowledge the issue. Moderation has eluded you.
If you happen to’ve stated to your self, “I’m not an alcoholic,” then I’m going to throw down the gauntlet: Show it. A month with out booze needs to be no massive deal, proper?
I used to fret that I used to be an alcoholic. However now, I do know who’s boss as a result of I proved it to myself. I do know that I can give up ingesting any time for 30 days or extra (see under).
However 2020!
However RBG!
However my children are driving me nuts!
However the election!
However Oktoberfest!
However I must help my native liquor retailer!
Look, you’ll by no means run out of excuses, particularly this 12 months. If you wish to justify ingesting alcohol, there’s nothing I can say to persuade you in any other case. And I’m not judging you both. It’s been a shitty 12 months.
However, the fantastic thing about Sober October is that it’s simply 30 days. Afterward, you possibly can return to ingesting — simply in time for the election and the vacations!
I contend that we should always all do Sober October yearly. If you happen to select to maintain ingesting, that’s completely tremendous. I’m not asking you to give up utterly.
However I’m telling you that 30 days off can change your life.
Consider how robust you’ll really feel for those who make it via 30 days. On the very least, you’ll have confirmed alcohol who’s boss.
Even Classical Chinese language Drugs is supportive of an annual Sober October!
In keeping with Chinese language Drugs concept, Autumn is a good time to detox your system and let go of what isn’t serving you.
This season is related to the Metallic Factor, and the power of Metallic is all about letting go. Take into consideration the bushes this time of 12 months — they’re letting go of their leaves. The is the method of cleaning that results in the eventual renewal in springtime.
Once we take into consideration going 30 days with out booze, most of us consider hardship and battle. Whereas it’s true that Sober October will probably be a problem, it additionally comes with many advantages.
- Management: Quitting for 30 days gives you a robust feeling of management over your personal future. You’ll will really feel such as you’re again within the driver’s seat.
- Diet: Alcohol interferes with nutrient absorption, particularly the B nutritional vitamins. Taking a month off will show you how to to soak up the vitamins you’ve been lacking.
- Sleep: If you happen to’re not sleeping deeply and waking up feeling rested, then you’ll by no means absolutely heal. Sleep is crucial. Regardless of the myths, alcohol disturbs the conventional sleep cycles. Do 30 days with out booze and also you’ll see simply what you’ve been lacking.
- Insulin: After simply 1 month, your insulin resistance will enhance. This can be a superb factor.
- Weight reduction: Together with higher insulin resistance, you could lose just a few kilos in October just by reducing out alcohol. Or for those who don’t lose kilos, you’ll in all probability lose just a few inches, which is even higher as a result of it means you changed fats with muscle.
- Immunity: Alcohol disrupts your immune system. A month with out booze will increase your pure immunity.
- Psychological readability: You’ll be amazed at how rather more targeted you can be at work. You’ll additionally make choices extra simply.
- Money cash: How a lot cash will you save on alcohol this month? Do the mathematics. Is it $75, $150, or much more? What’s going to you do with that cash on the finish of the month?
- Power circulation: Personally, I used to be amazed on the improved power circulation after quitting for simply 30 days. That is motive sufficient to do it. Your qigong will bounce a stage in simply 30 days. How cool is that?
A central a part of my qigong educating is a Japanese proverb :
七転び八起き
Nana korobi, ya oki
Fall down 7 instances, arise 8
(I don’t converse Japanese so somebody please right me if that is incorrect. I’m responsible of googling.)
This proverb can change your life in some ways. What I really like about it’s that it places failure within the forefront. It tells you, from the very first phrase, that you simply’re going to fall.
That’s my type of proverb!
The secret’s to get again up. And for those who get again up another time than you fall down — congrats! You’re profitable at life!
If you happen to fall and have a drink throughout Sober October, tremendous. That’s a failure, however it’s not the tip of the world. Get again up and end the month.
Even when, after 30 days, you fall down a number of instances — maintain getting again up.
The massive mistake right here is in considering that you’re training failure. Don’t enable ideas like, “I’m such a loser I can’t even do 30 days with out alcohol.”
As an alternative, acknowledge that you’re training GETTING UP after every fall.
“I’m such a badass that I’m going to stand up and take a look at once more.”
So that you’ve determined to provide it a strive? Nice! Listed below are some ideas primarily based alone expertise:
1. In the future at a time. That is the recommendation that AA provides its members, and hey, wouldn’t you realize it? It really works! For us, it’s even simpler as a result of we’re solely doing 30 days. No massive deal.
2. Drink kombucha. Technically, kombucha incorporates a tiny little bit of alcohol as a result of it’s fermented. Nevertheless it’s a tiny quantity. If you’ll want to sip one thing within the evenings, then kombucha works nice. Pour it in your favourite wine or bourbon glass. If it’s too candy, then reduce it with some glowing water.
3. Do qigong. Most of you studying this already know qigong. For individuals who don’t I’m gifting away a $100 course without spending a dime through the pandemic. Qigong is the PERFECT addition to Sober October as a result of it offers us with on the spot stress aid. Even simply 2 minutes of qigong could make you are feeling sooooo a lot better. Attempt it.
4. Stroll. You’re going to have extra power very quickly. Good. I counsel that you simply reinvest that power into strolling. This can show you how to to detox, show you how to to maintain your self busy, and likewise show you how to to get some contemporary air, which is at all times a superb factor.
5. Commiserate. I’ll be posting about Sober October in our free Fb group and inspiring my college students to strive it. If you’ll want to kvetch about one thing, or for those who simply want a pep discuss, the submit within the group. Not solely will you get responses out of your qigong classmates, however I’ll chime in too for those who tag me!
6. Out of sight. I like to recommend that you simply put all alcohol out of sight for October. Put it in a closet the place you received’t see it. Don’t set off your unconscious cravings by preserving it in view.
7. Drink water. You in all probability don’t drink sufficient water. The rule of thumb is to take your weight in kilos, divide by half, after which convert that to ounces. So for those who weigh 150 lbs, then you’ll want to drink 150/2 = 75 ounces of water every day. If that appears like loads, you then’re in all probability chronically dehydrated. This can be a nice alternative to hydrate your physique. You’ll be amazed at how a lot better you are feeling.
8. Use Sq. Respiration. Mindfulness is all the craze, however what does it actually imply? Sq. Respiration is a straightforward method that you should utilize to extend mindfulness, which in flip will vastly assist together with your alcohol cravings. I’ve discovered that simply 4 Sq. Breaths can kill just about any craving. It’s like magic. Click on right here for a free workshop I gave on the subject of hysteria. I train Sq. Respiration on the 33:32 mark.
9. Get up 8 Occasions. I defined this Japanese proverb already, however I’m placing it right here too as a result of it’s so helpful. If you happen to fall down, for those who sneak a drink throughout Sober October, then get again up.
Will you be becoming a member of us for Sober October? I’d love to listen to from you within the feedback.Greatest regards, Sifu Anthony 
I’m Anthony Korahais, and I used qigong to heal from medical despair, low again ache, nervousness, and persistent fatigue. I’ve already taught hundreds of individuals from everywhere in the world the best way to use qigong for their very own cussed well being challenges. Because the director of Flowing Zen, I am absolutely dedicated to serving to folks with these arts. Along with my weblog, I additionally train on-line programs and provide in-person retreats and workshops.
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