How many drinks are too many, and where do you draw the line and stop?
Drinking too much alcohol can have long-term effects on health, and that’s why it’s necessary to be mindful about setting limits for yourself and to keep an eye on how many drinks you’re having so you don’t go overboard.
If you’re having trouble finding out how to pace yourself, here are five ways from social media superstar and entrepreneur Nico Bolzico to stick to your limit.
1. Establish how much alcohol you should be having.
Sticking to your limit starts with identifying the limit. A standard unit of alcohol contains about 10 grams of alcohol, the amount the body can process in an hour. That’s why you must stick to the recommended amount your body can process. Going beyond this amount will increase your risk of accidents, hangovers, and even permanent health problems.
2. Always eat food before and even when consuming alcohol.
Food slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream by keeping it in the stomach longer.
“When your stomach is empty, you feel the effects of your drinks faster,” Nico explains. “I always make sure I eat something before I start drinking! You can also eat something while you’re drinking to counter the effects of the alcohol.”
3. Skip a drink and replace it with a glass of water.
Alcohol causes the body to lose fluid, which can lead to dehydration. One practical tip to drink responsibly and ensure you’re sticking to your limit is to alternate between drinks. Drink a full glass of water after an alcoholic beverage to ensure you aren’t dehydrated.
4. Don’t drink and drive.
“Driving may seem like a simple, everyday activity that you’re used to, but driving while under the influence of alcohol is one of the biggest no-nos of drinking,” reminds Nico.
Drinking and driving can have dire consequences for you. It impairs your coordination and vision. It also impacts your ability to make sound judgments or choices. If you intend to drink, even just a moderate amount, secure your trip home through a friend or family member.
5. Avoid drinking if you struggle with any anxiety or negative emotions.
Alcohol is a depressant, increasing the risk of worsening any feelings of depression, anger, or anxiety. If you are experiencing any of these feelings before drinking, you are more likely to consume alcohol beyond the safe limits.
Reminding everyone not to go overboard with their alcohol consumption, Diageo Philippines has launched an all-new responsible drinking campaign called “Stick To Your Limit.”
Launched during Alcohol Awareness month in April with campaign ambassadors Nico and Erwan Heussaff, Stick To Your Limit aims to raise the importance of understanding one’s drinking limits when drinking the same way they shouldn’t overdo their everyday activities.
“We’re thrilled that Nico and Erwan will be working with us in spreading our message of Stick To Your Limit as we encourage everyone to increase their DrinkIQ,” shares Rajesh Joshi, General Manager of Diageo Philippines. “Nico and Erwan have a very close relationship with Diageo, with Erwan serving as a collaborator on our brand activations and with Nico serving as an ambassador for Diageo brands in the past, and we value their partnership for this campaign.”
Diageo also invites everyone of legal drinking age to learn more about alcohol facts on DrinkIQ.com, their dedicated online responsible drinking platform that provides information about the effects of excessive alcohol consumption on the body and mind.