Let’s Talk About Alcohol
Hi, we’re Hannah and Rachel, your friendly Health and Wellbeing Coaches working with GP practices in Gosforth and Jesmond! 👋
This week is Alcohol Awareness Week, run by Alcohol Change UK, and we thought it was a great time to chat about something that affects lots of us – alcohol.
This year’s theme is “Alcohol and Work” – and it’s all about how our drinking habits can be shaped by (and sometimes make worse!) our working lives.
Whether you drink a little or a lot, this week is a chance to take a moment to reflect on your relationship with alcohol – without judgement – and think about what feels right for you and your health.
So… why is this important?
Did you know that around 10 million people in the UK regularly drink in a way that could be harming their health?
That doesn’t mean you’re doing anything “wrong” – but it does mean that a lot of us could benefit from taking a closer look at how much we’re drinking and why.
Alcohol is linked to more than 200 health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, liver disease, and depression. It can also mess with our sleep, give us headaches and leave us feeling groggy, anxious or low in energy – not ideal when we’re trying to do our best at work or at home!
Alcohol and work
This year’s focus is a reminder that work can have more of an influence on our drinking than we realise. Stress, long hours, or changes like redundancy or retirement can all play a part.
Even small steps to cut back can boost your energy, mood, sleep, and focus – all things that help you feel better at work and beyond. The free Try Dry® app from Alcohol Change UK is a handy tool to help you track and manage what you’re drinking.
How much is too much?
The UK guidelines recommend that men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week, spread across three or more days.
That’s about:
- 6 medium glasses of wine
- or 6 pints of average-strength beer.
Alcohol Change UK has an easy-to-use unit calculator.
If you’re going over this, even just now and then, you’re not alone – but it might be time to think about cutting back.
What are the benefits of cutting down?
There are loads! Some people notice a difference within just a few days. You could enjoy:
- More energy
- Better sleep
- Improved mood and mental health
- Easier weight management
- Money saved (bonus!)
Top tips for cutting back
You don’t have to stop completely unless you want to. Small changes can make a big difference. Here are a few ideas to try:
🔍 Check your habits. Apps like Try Dry® are a great way to track what you’re drinking and spot patterns. Even a paper diary works!
🧠 Know your triggers. Is it stress? Social situations? Boredom? Once you know what’s behind it, you can work on healthier coping strategies.
🥂 Try smaller swaps. Choose a smaller glass, a lower-alcohol drink, or plan a couple of alcohol-free days each week.
📝 Make a plan. Set a drinking limit before you start. Eat before and while drinking, and space out your drinks with water.
🤝 Reach out for support. If you’re finding it hard to cut down, talk to your GP. You’re not alone – and there’s help out there.
We’re here to help!
As your Health and Wellbeing Coaches, we’re here to help you make small changes that can have a big impact on how you feel — at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
Want to know more about how we can support you? You can find out what we offer and refer yourself directly at gosforthjesmondhealth.co.uk/hwb.
Take care,
Hannah & Rachel
Your Health and Wellbeing Coaches at Gosforth and Jesmond Health