These past three months has been the most trying times for all us. We have lost jobs, loved ones, and even our own sanity. The shelter-in place orders have been extremely boring and overwhelming. If you told me last year that we would be stuck in our houses for months at a time with no income, barely any water, and no toilet paper or paper towels, I would have definitely laughed and not even respond to such blasphemy! But yet here we are basking in our homes, fighting for necessities in the store and barely able to see our loved ones and meet new people. You can agree that this situation has been extremely stressful. This new found stressed have forced many people most importantly women into drinking more heavily. Women drink because they want a sense of relaxation, looseness, and freedom. And I’m not just talking about a wine glass or two, we are referring to multiple bottles of wine a day or even hard core liquor.
“Alcoholic beverage sales rose by 55% in late March, when many states and public health officials urged residents to stay at home, compared to sales in 2019.” This increase in alcohol says was promoted by the stay at home order as well as governers allowing businesses to sell To-Go alcoholic beverages. This has never before been seen unless you’re in New Orleans walking on Bourbon Street.
https://news.usc.edu/168549/covid-19-alcohol-sales-abuse-stress-relapse-usc-experts/
Alcohol usage can be quite damaging to the body and eventually become addictive habit in your life. Health professionals have states that drinking alcohol can weaken your immune system, which can result to you putting yourself at risk to catching Covid-19. “Alcohol, like other substances, can affect the general health of the body, leading to potential outcomes like sleeping less, and a weakened immune system. Individuals should be instituting behaviors that will fortify their health and help keep them protected from the virus”. This article also suggest that the self medicating that people are doing at home with alcohol and drugs can ruin their health.
We should be more responsible with ourselves and help the people around us who truly struggling during this time. There are plenty of prevention strategies when stress or waves of depression hit you and you’re itching for a drink. “A change of scenery can also be great for mood. If you’re facing a self-quarantine or lockdown, you can still break out of that isolation and go for a walk or hike, as long as you’re mindful of all recommendations about social distancing Trusted Source and prevention of the coronavirus”. My suggestion is find constructive things to do around the household, things that you have put off to do when you did’t have time. You can even take on a new project with interior and exterior building or remodeling in your home. There are a few universities that are offering few online classes in many subject that you can take and get accreditation for. There are more positive and healthier things to do to cope with your stress so next you’re at the grocery store, make sure to pick up a new cookbook or even a flower to plant before you decide to choose the wine.
References:
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/resisting-using-pot-alcohol-to-ease-stress-during-the-covid-19-outbreak#Positive-coping-practices-can-have-healthier-long-term-outcomes
