Sitting at home and not drinking: that's how you keep it up!

Working from home, spending weeks alone -or with the whole family- on the couch, stress about your job or the future, quarrels, irritations, boredom. Sitting at home is not always easy. Then the temptation to pour a drink after a long day as compensation can be great. Do you want to avoid opening that bottle of beer or wine at a difficult moment? These 6 tips will help you keep up with not drinking during a lockdown.

1. Stick to your daily routine

It may seem obvious, but try to stick to your normal daily structure. So stick to your regular bedtimes, eat at set times, work your regular hours, relax regularly and do the chores you normally do. Thanks to the peace and regularity of your daily rhythm, you will continue to feel physically and mentally fitter.

2. Stay in contact

A chat with your best friend, FaceTime with your parents or a chat remotely with the neighbor; when the walls threaten to come at you, socializing gives you the mental boost you need. So are you not feeling so well? Then contact the people around you. This gives gloomy feelings less chance and the temptation to grab a drink as comfort is less.

3. Take care of yourself

During periods when you spend a lot of time at home, it is easy to grab a snack in the candy jar in between, skip fruit or suddenly warm up a pizza at the end of the afternoon. Just because it's possible! Therefore, take extra good care of yourself at home. Treat yourself with a healthy lunch and go outside every day. Walking in nature reduces stress and has a proven positive effect on mood. And with a fifteen minute walk outside in the sun, you immediately have your dose of vitamin D. Check!

4. do something fun

Perhaps you have seas of time because many of your social activities are on the back burner, or you are just short of time. In both cases it is important that you schedule time to do something that gives you energy. So turn your bathroom into a spa, bend yourself over a 1000-piece puzzle, diamond-paint Van Gogh's sunflowers or sign up for an online French course. Good luck!

5. First aid when you feel like having a drink

Even if not drinking is a smooth ride, there may be times when you are suddenly overcome by the desire for a drink with alcohol. Does a drink at the end of a long day suddenly seem irresistible? Satisfy the craving for alcohol, for example by giving the bathroom a thorough cleaning or walking around the block. Or call your father, sister, best friend or someone else who knows about your intention not to drink for a period of time, for a pep talk that motivates you again to keep it fresh with a cup of tea or glass.

6. Reward yourself with something nice

Every day that you don't drink alcohol, you save money. That can add up after a few days, weeks or months. Have you not had a drink for a whole week? Then give yourself something of the money you have saved. Or keep saving and buy those beautiful sneakers at the end of the month!