For many people, holidays are a time to relax, unwind and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, they can also become a time when alcohol consumption quietly spirals out of control. From airport pints and poolside cocktails to wine with lunch and drinks before dinner, it’s easy to consume significantly more alcohol than you ever would at home.
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between enjoying your holiday and drinking excessively. With a little planning, it’s entirely possible to drink less on holiday while still making wonderful memories.
Why Do We Drink More on Holiday?
Our normal routines disappear.
At home, work, school runs, exercise and responsibilities naturally limit when and how much we drink. On holiday those routines vanish. Suddenly it’s perfectly acceptable to have a beer at 11am by the pool or a cocktail before lunch simply because “I’m on holiday.”
Add to that:
- All-inclusive bars
- Happy hours
- Social pressure
- Beautiful weather
- Long evenings
- The mindset that you’ve “earned it”
…and alcohol can quickly become part of every activity.
Most people don’t even realise how much extra they’re consuming until they arrive home feeling tired, dehydrated and wondering why they need another holiday to recover.
Holidays Should Be About Experiences, Not Hangovers
Think back to your favourite holiday memories.
Was it the third mojito?
Or was it:
- watching the sunset
- swimming in the sea
- discovering a local restaurant
- exploring a new city
- spending time with family and friends
Alcohol often convinces us it’s creating the memories, when in reality it frequently prevents us from fully enjoying them.
How many people have slept through breakfast because of too much wine the night before?
Or missed an early excursion because they simply didn’t feel well enough?
Reducing your drinking doesn’t reduce your enjoyment. For many people, it actually improves it.
Start With a Simple Plan
One of the biggest mistakes people make is deciding they’ll “just see how it goes.”
That rarely works.
Instead, before you leave home, ask yourself:
- How many days do I actually want to drink?
- How many drinks will I have?
- Which occasions really matter?
Perhaps you’ll decide:
- cocktails on two evenings
- wine with one special dinner
- alcohol-free lunches
- no drinking before 5pm
Simply having a plan makes it much easier to stay in control.
Watch Out for Airport Drinking
Many holidays begin with alcohol before the plane has even left the ground.
An airport beer somehow feels completely normal—even if it’s 7.30 in the morning.
But flying already contributes to dehydration and tiredness. Adding alcohol often means you arrive at your destination feeling sluggish rather than refreshed.
Starting your holiday well hydrated can make a surprising difference.
Don’t Forget the Calories
Holiday weight gain isn’t usually caused by food alone.
Many popular holiday drinks contain significant calories.
Examples include:
- Cocktails with sugary mixers
- Large glasses of wine
- Pints of beer
- Frozen drinks
Several drinks each day can easily add hundreds—or even thousands—of extra calories across a week’s holiday.
Many people are shocked when they calculate what they’re actually drinking.
Stay in Control
Simple habits work remarkably well.
Try:
- alternating alcoholic and soft drinks
- drinking water between rounds
- eating before drinking
- choosing smaller measures where available
- deciding your limit before you start
These aren’t about depriving yourself.
They’re about staying in control.
Can Medication Help?
Some people find that willpower alone isn’t enough.
If you often discover that one drink becomes five, despite your best intentions, there are clinically established treatment options that may help reduce alcohol’s reinforcing effects in the brain for suitable individuals following medical assessment.
At www.drinklessmethod.co.uk, we provide a confidential online assessment for adults who want to reduce their drinking rather than necessarily stop completely. Where clinically appropriate, independent prescribers can assess suitability for treatment and medication supplied through a UK pharmacy.
The aim isn’t to stop you enjoying your holiday.
It’s to help you remain in control of your choices.
The Best Holiday Souvenir
Imagine coming home having:
- enjoyed every evening
- remembered every meal
- slept well
- stayed active
- saved money
- avoided the inevitable holiday hangover
That is often far more satisfying than another week of overindulgence.
Holidays are supposed to leave you feeling refreshed.
Drinking less doesn’t mean missing out—it often means getting far more from the time you’ve spent away.
If you’ve noticed that alcohol tends to take over every holiday, perhaps this year is the time to try something different.
Visit www.drinklessmethod.co.uk to learn more about our medically supported approach to helping people reduce their alcohol intake and regain control over their drinking, one holiday—and one drink—at a time.