There’s a nice adage that has become something of a platitude as of late, and that’s “You can still have fun without drinking!” Sure, it’s a little rote, but because of how true and affirming this insight is, we’ll give it a pass. Moreover, it’s also entirely true. But it’s more than true, it’s almost obvious to anyone who practices it. 

If you’ve been in the interest of boosting your brain power, productivity, focus, and even outlook on life, you’ll have no doubt thought about restricting your alcohol intake. Of course, enjoying a little drinky-poo from time to time is hardly a terrible thing, but it can certainly get in the way of having that kind of raw, developed fun that we might otherwise enjoy. Sooner or later, we might find many of our outgoings tend to revolve around a bar, or enjoying wine in a restaurant, or staying out late and sleeping in the morning.

As such, the phrase “you can have fun without drinking!” seems to be insightful. But what if that saying doesn’t quite go far enough? For example, you might say “The ocean is relatively wet,” but that doesn’t go half as far into describing the massive, seismic forces of aquatic power that goes into the ocean.

So, to suggest that fun would still be available without alcohol implies that somehow, you can still have fun if you’re careful enough about it. But the truth is most of the fun you can possibly have is present without alcohol. Alcohol is actually a fairly limiting influence, causing you to only really enjoy a set amount of experiences where being inebriated is acceptable – and even then, things can go wrong.

If you’re looking for the motivation to strike down this negative habit and begin enjoying more fun than you have ever known, we hope this guide can help you!

Boundless Energy

A good number of people know exactly what it feels like to wake up after a night on the town. You feel sluggish, have to deal with a pounding headache, and need a few periods of sleep to feel somewhat human, and it only gets worse as you get older.

When you limit this habit, you realize just how much energy you have. You wake up in the morning with a night of restful sleep, and you have the morning free. You don’t feel like eating a super unhealthy breakfast and spending the entire day in your pajamas. This unlocks your free time, which may have been limited to begin with. It also inspires you to get outside and try new hobbies.

For some, that might involve spending some time in the garden, or going to the gym. It could involve getting those chores done straight away so you have the rest of the morning, afternoon, and evening to relax at your own pace. This kind of approach is not only enjoyable but deeply rewarding.

More Creativity In Group Settings

When you don’t rely on the crutch of a local bar, you’re much more likely to put creative effort into how you entertain. For example, group games with your family are a blast and can be organized in advance for a game night.

You might even put together a small talent show with your children for weekend fun, try a new cuisine to cook for a loved one, or even purchase art supplies and try painting a watercolor onto an easel. These fun little additions can be a great way to have fun without all the chains and conventions of how you think you’re supposed to enjoy yourself as an adult.

It might be that while you don’t ban alcohol from these events, you certainly don’t rely on it to have fun. That can make a relaxed evening with good conversation and grilling foods outdoors so much more enjoyable because all of a sudden the idea you have to let loose doesn’t preclude you from actually having fun.

Engage In Physical Activities

Of course, just staying away from the bar might not be enough to truly “let off steam” or to express that silly side of yourself when you want to. Luckily, there are a whole host of alternatives you can enjoy that are better than simply becoming a little tipsy.

For example, physical activities such as heading to salsa dancing classes with your partner, volunteering and training for a run, heading to simple team sports games with those in your city (this is a great way to meet new friends), or even going hiking with a good friend can be incredible.

Low-impact physical activities can also be wonderful, such as heading out with a fishing rod, getting a license for your local river, and catching fish to grill later for your friends. Getting out there and expressing yourself through a range of fun physical activities is a blast, and the only limitation is your own imagination.

Joining Community Groups

One of the reasons people head to bars and pubs so often is because, unfortunately, that’s where the general public tend to hang out when the time is right to do so. Very few “third spaces” exist where people can enjoy time between work and home duties. Or so that’s what it feels like. In fact, getting involved with local communitiescan provide a great amount of fun if only you’re willing to engage and put yourself out there a little. This in itself can be a fun challenge, and it may lead to you finding your best friend.

A sports league, book club, volunteer group – whatever matches your interests counts. After all we tend to click more easily with people who love the same stuff as us. No more surface chit-chat, just quality time bonding over shared passions.

The social connections made through these groups can, if you’re lucky, breathe new life into your social calendar. You could find yourself trying new experiences in your area you never even knew about, or challenging your thinking by meeting people you wouldn’t have connected to otherwise. For example, you might volunteer for a local eco-group, and meet young and old people alike. That can be healthy for our outlook as opposed to just being around people we’ve known for some time.

Hang Less Often, But Make Each Experience Matter

Instead of draining your funds on overpriced cocktails, you can put that cash toward exploring someplace new, and have a blast by doing so. The truth is that regular boozing just makes us feel terrible, keeps us poorer, and provides us less energy to get out there and try something new. If you make a list of all the places you’ve dreamed about visiting and start checking them off one by one, you gain a real sense of purpose and completion. It’s hard not to prefer that once you’re involved in it.

This could involve a road trip to that quirky nearby town, perhaps booking a couple of days in an Airbnb with your friends. Or, you might book a hiking adventure at a lovely national park you’ve always wanted to see. Getting out of your comfort zone keeps life fresh and invigorating. You make a million new memories, get some perspective, and maybe even rediscover a little bit of yourself along the way. On top of that, the memories you make are actually remembered, as opposed to fading into something of a tiresome blur.

Get Into Fitness

We all know where repeated trips to the bar can lead. The truth is that alcohol is generally terrible for our bodies, and while a glass of wine or a fun experience at a party isn’t going to damage you forever, repeated use can have genuinely terrible effects, and it makes us all age much more quickly too.

You might find that integrating a fitness regimen causes you to naturally veer away from those experiences because it doesn’t feel good to waste your progress on a night of drunken fun. Instead, you want to feel rested and recovered for the next time you head into the gym or go for a run, or enjoy that lovely swim with a relative.

Getting into fitness isn’t about becoming a super athlete, but because it’s a great deal of fun. That might sound a little odd to those who aren’t involved in active exercise, but trust us, it can become one of the highlights of your day and it doesn’t take too long to feel that way either. A morning run might feel somewhat unappealing when you wake up in the morning and it’s raining, but that post-run shower? It’s one of the best, most refreshing feelings you can have. If you’re looking for that natural high that feels wonderful to engage in, then absolutely give it a shot. For many people, a healthy habit like this is the exact impetus some people need to feel their best, and to overcome habits like repeated drinking.

With this advice, we hope you can see that “you can still have fun without drinking” doesn’t quite go far enough. We might even suggest that when you limit the repeated intake, that’s where deeper, genuine fun starts to reveal itself.

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