How Worried Should You Be About Wine?
BY BETHANY HEITMAN
During the pandemic, one poll found that women increased the number of days they drink per week by 41 percent. And, in general, women are drinking more than they ever have. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism published a report with some pretty jarring findings. From 2001 to 2013, alcohol use among women in the United States rose nearly 16 percent. Along with that, the percentage of women who had four or more drinks on a given day on a weekly basis skyrocketed 58 percent.
The truth is, all this booze isn’t so great for your health. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, excessive alcohol intake may lead to heart issues and liver problems. It also weakens your immune system, so you’re more likely to get ill. And it doesn’t end there—people who overindulge are also more likely to show signs of depression.
“The pandemic meant that I had no childcare help. So, every day I was balancing helping my kids with Zoom school while also trying to get my job done. By the end of the day I was fried and a glass or two of pinot grigio took the edge off.”
- Jessica, 41
Often, when talking about how much someone drinks, it can feel like there are only two ways to think about it—either you have a totally healthy relationship with booze or you’re an alcoholic. But the truth is, it’s not so black and white for everyone. “There’s a gray space,” says Jen Widerstrom, founder of FÖRENA. “You know you’re not an alcoholic, but perhaps you’re using it to cope or to avoid handling the things in your life that you really need to handle.”
Photo by Michael Discenza
So, how do you know if you’re drinking too much? Here are a few things that may tip you off.
Do you start the night promising to just have one drink, but often end up having more? Struggling to control the quantity of alcohol intake can be the sign of an issue.
You don’t remember things from nights you were drinking or find yourself cringing at your behavior. Perhaps you sent an overly emotional text to an old flame or snapped at a friend in a way that was out of character. Displaying behavior that’s out of character can be a red flag.
If you wake up groggy and fuzzy more often than not, alcohol is starting to affect your energy and performance levels—which should be cause for concern.
Say one glass of wine used to give you a nice buzz, but now it takes a few. When you’re able to drink more without feeling the effects, it’s a sign that you’ve been drinking frequently enough to raise your tolerance.
Do these signs hit home? That may be a sign you’re using it cope. “Be straightforward with yourself,” says JW. “Sometimes it’s as simple and direct as really just saying to yourself, What am I avoiding? Jot that question down on a piece of paper and just start writing. Don’t think too much about it, don’t worry about spelling. Just let the words flow out of you through your hand—this is your inner monologue. It’s a helpful practice to check in and see where you are and what you may be using alcohol to avoid dealing with.”
“I feel like I am always on. My job is intense and, with my smartphone always in my hand, there’s never a moment for me to disconnect. A glass of wine or a beer at the end of the long day dulls the stress and irritation I feel when an urgent email comes in after 8 p.m.”
-Rachel, 37
As for getting a handle on the amount you drink, JW suggests a visualization trick that may help. “For every day you don’t reach for a glass of wine or adult beverage, put an X on the calendar,” she says. “It will help you visualize how much you’re actually drinking and build accountability. Those X’s will start to feel better and better—you’ll actually start chasing them!”
-Bethany Heitman, Contributor
P.S. Remember that no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to do it alone! There are others like you in our community, where we interact on a daily basis, fight our demons, share our victories, and watch over each other as friends and accountability partners.
Together we are FÖRENA - a health & fitness community for women like you where we focus not only on our physical health but also mind, soul, relationships, and overall well-being. Become one of us now with FREE 1-month membership, and let us witness your growth! 🌱
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