Are you ready to join in on the excitement while supporting a great cause? Get ready for Beckett Bingo, a student-run charity event aimed at raising funds for TCD, a fitness and well-being charity in West Yorkshire. Set to be a night of interactive entertainment and camaraderie, Beckett Bingo promises multiple rounds of bingo with fantastic prizes and other engaging activities, all while contributing to the sustainability of a vital local charity.
Beckett Bingo isn’t just about having a good time; it’s about making a meaningful impact on the community. By raising money for TCD, we’re helping to ensure that essential fitness and well-being services remain accessible to those who need them most. But that’s not all – we’re also empowering the local community by coming together for a common cause.
In collaboration with No Regrets, Beckett Bingo is not only raising awareness for sober events but also aligning with the shared objectives of empowering the community. Thanks to Bold Events, attendees will have the opportunity to sample alcohol-free products, encouraging a healthier approach to socialising whilst still optimising the fun.
Beckett Bingo isn’t just about the here and now – it’s about leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of Leeds students. By supporting TCD, Leeds Beckett University, and No Regrets, we’re not only giving you the opportunity to engage and create new connections in your own lives but also ensuring that these organizations continue to thrive for years to come.
Mark your calendars for April 19th and get ready to experience Beckett Bingo. Whether you’re a bingo enthusiast or simply looking for a fun night out with friends, this event promises something for everyone. Not only will you have the chance to win exciting prizes, but you’ll also be contributing to a worthy cause and making a positive difference in the community.
So, gather your friends, grab your bingo cards, and join us for a night of laughter, fun, and philanthropy at Beckett Bingo. Together, let’s make a difference in the lives of others while creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. We can’t wait to see you there!
We’ve all had those nights out that turn into unforgettable adventures, but what about the not-so-glamorous moments? Picture this: you’re out with your loved one, enjoying the ambiance of a cosy restaurant or dancing the night away at a Valentine’s party. Suddenly, you realize you’ve had a bit too much to drink. Your friends or partner are nowhere to be found, and you’re left scrambling to figure out how to get home safely, whilst trying to trace your lost items.
It’s moments like these that make you wish you’d paced yourself. While a few drinks may go along with a great night, going overboard can lead to a whole host of unwanted consequences. From pricey taxi rides to waking up in a stranger’s house with a throbbing headache, the aftermath of excessive drinking is far from romantic and far from ideal.
Getting caught in a drunken stupor could put a serious damper on the Valentine’s Day spirit. This Valentine’s Day let’s make a toast to love, and vow to take it steady.
Whether you’re enjoying a candlelit dinner with your other half or painting the town red with your friends, remember to pace yourself and plan the day ahead. After all, nothing ruins a romantic evening faster than waking up with a hangover or throwing up in front of your potential crush and friends.
Here are precisely the questions you could ask yourself right now (if ‘drinking less’ was your motto for last year):
And lastly…
Well, if ‘Yes’ was the answer to most of these questions, you should be celebrating yourself for staying committed throughout the last 365 days, and continue to keep your head in the game.
However, if ‘drinker’s remorse’, foggy night-outs, and uninvited hangovers kept occurring time and again – no matter how hard you tried to avoid them, then you’d definitely like to have a look at our list of tips and hacks that are guaranteed to help.
Before that, a quick fun fact: 80% of New Year’s resolutions are forgotten by February, while 46% of adults still stick to their resolutions after 6 months.
If you’d like to stick to yours, take a quick glance at the new habits you can pick up in the new year.
Rather than making vague or exaggerated goals like “It’s final, I’m cutting down forever!”, set specific goals like limiting your alcohol consumption to one drink at pres. Remember, it takes a while to build good habits.
Check out our social pages and find our reels of alcohol-free mocktail recipes which we swear you’ll love. They can be made at home, in just under 15 minutes, and with minimal ingredients. But if you’re not the crafty one, worry not – there are plenty of alcohol-free alternatives you can order online or buy from your nearest store – come on, give it a try or (five)!
Take some time and understand its impact on your health. Spot your triggers. Get aware. And then, implement the ways to stay in control.
One of the best things you can do is share your resolution with your friends and family who will support your decision to cut down. Doing that will help you to stay on track, especially during moments of temptation.
Let’s admit it – at times we do feel like we’re being pressured into drinking. Try to remember that friend, aunt, or colleague, who says no to things without worrying what others might think. Use this tactic to keep away from any regrets.
With simple tactics like these, you can confidently stride into a year filled with positive choices and a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. And as you embark on this new journey, remember we are with you every step of the way.
Let’s welcome a balanced 2024 together!
Throughout November we’ve been asking for some of your embarrassing drunk Christmas stories. We’ve compiled some of the most cringe-worthy so you know what to avoid.
Imagine this: You’re having a great time at the club, laughing and dancing with your pals, and suddenly you realize you’ve had a bit too much to drink. Your friends are nowhere to be seen, and to add to the chaos, you can’t even find your train ticket on your phone. How do you get home now? That’s not the situation you want to find yourself in, right?
Ah, the joys of missing the last train home after a night out. You end up shelling out a whopping £50 just to get home. Imagine what you could have done with that money instead of spending it on a ride because you stayed for one too many.
Have you ever woken up on a bench at the train station, wondering how you got there? It might sound like something out of a movie, but it happens more often than you think. Picture this: takeaway in hand, train ticket now expired, being shaken awake by the police so you don’t get your phone stolen… It’s not the most glamorous wake-up call, is it?
Now, here’s a scenario that none of us want to experience. You had a bit too much to drink, and in a moment of recklessness, you pushed through the barriers and got yourself arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Now you’re facing a hefty £100 fine. That’s some serious money that you could have used for something far more enjoyable.
Picture this: You can’t remember the way home, and in your alcohol-induced haze, you decide to walk along the train tracks. It might seem like a bold adventure at the time, but think about the potential dangers. Luckily, there were no trains that night, but it could have ended very differently.
Let’s face it – you’re at university for an education, and maintaining a healthy level of alcohol consumption is crucial for academic success. Excessive drinking can lead to poor decision-making, impaired cognitive function, and a lack of focus. By drinking less, you can stay on top of your studies and perform better in your classes.
Drinking too much can take a toll on your mental and physical health. Drinking in moderation, or not at all, can help you keep a clearer mind, better physical health, and improved overall well-being. It’s also the best way to avoid the dreaded hangover.
University is a time to forge friendships that last a lifetime. Drinking less can actually enhance your social life. You’ll be more present and engaged in conversations and activities, and you’ll be remembered for you, not your drunk mistakes
Be clear about how much alcohol you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Setting boundaries can help you avoid peer pressure and make responsible decisions.
Opt for non-alcoholic bevs. There are plenty of delicious mocktails and alcohol-free options available that let you enjoy the social without the alcohol. You could even be the designated driver who ensures everyone gets home safely.
Get involved in clubs and activities that don’t revolve around drinking. Many universities offer a wide range of clubs and organizations focused on various interests, from sports and fitness to art and culture. These provide an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded people without the pressure to drink.
Choose your friends wisely. Surround yourself with people who respect your decision to drink less and support your goals. True friends will encourage you to stay on track.
Being mindful of your alcohol consumption can make a significant difference. Pay attention to how much you’re drinking, how it makes you feel, and how it affects your behavior. Reflect on these experiences and use them as motivation to continue drinking less.
Playing rugby will burn calories but that’s only half of the story. Alcohol contains around seven calories a gram and interferes with metabolism. If you were wondering why your weight wasn’t shifting despite the healthy diet and regular rugby training – your alcohol intake could be holding you back.
Keeping hydrated is key to a top performance and quick recovery. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol leaves the body dehydrated and reduces energy levels. Drinking more water will help to flush out waste, keep blood flowing and give the body the nutrients it needs.
Avoid restless nights. If you drink less, your sleep quality will be improved and enable that important recovery time for your muscles and mind.
You don’t want to be tackling a hangover, headache and anxiety when you’re trying to focus on your game. By decreasing your alcohol consumption, you can maintain motivation, fuel your focus, relax and perform to your best ability.
We’re in the peak of the summer and loving it. Some of our highlights have been the great selection of gigs in Millenium square, Hyde Park Picture House reopening its doors and soaking up the sun in some of the Headingley beer gardens. We can’t wait for the best part of the year – Leeds Fest! Tickets first went on sale in December and we’ve been patiently waiting for the festival to roll around.
We want to make sure that you get the most out of the festival so our team are sharing our festival fails, festival favourites and top tips to get you through.
“I don’t remember how, but I got separated from my mates then lost my phone. I had to walk alone for two hours in the dark until I could find our tent.”
“I had to watch my drunk friends throw up and was solely responsible for looking after them”
“I lost my phone and keys somewhere in the field and spent far too much money. I never got them back.”
“I tried to use a she-wee whilst drunk and it did NOT go well”
“I dropped my phone in the portaloo, safe to say I had to fork out for a new one after the festival”
“I was coming off an illness so decided not to drink. It was so nice to be able to catch all the acts I wanted to see and remember every moment of it.”
“I remember every single detail so clearly and found a sober like-minded group to share the fun with”
“I made good memories and actually remembered the night.”
“I woke up without a hangover and was ready to see more bands”
“I saw the lead singer of my favourite band in the crowd for another singer and managed to hold a conversation with them and get a photo”
SCOOP SEEDS FROM 1 PASSIONFRUIT INTO SHAKER. ADD LIME JUICE, SUGAR SYRUP AND VANILLA ESSENCE AND SHAKE. POUR INTO GLASS, TOP UP WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE AND ADD HALF PASSIONFRUIT TO GARNISH
ADD TO JUG, STIR AND SERVE WITH CINAMON STICK
ADD ALL INGREDIENTS TO GLASS WITH ICE. STIR AND ENJOY!
ADD ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS INTO A BLENDER WITH ICE. BLEND!
ADD ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS TO A COCKTAIL SHAKER. SHAKE AND SERVE!
ADD ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS INTO A JUG. STIR AND SERVE!
Fancy getting to know more about the history of Leeds? There are lots of different galleries and museums in and around the city centre.
If you’re looking for a way to spend the evening, then going to watch live music and performances is one of the best ways to do it. Check out what’s on at:
Left Bank Leeds is not only a great space for a coffee break, but also has loads of opportunities to get crafty on Creative Wednesdays! Check out their website for more info on any upcoming events: https://www.leftbankleeds.org.uk/
Candle making
Screen printing
Art club
Clay workshops
Not everything in Leeds has to cost a small mortgage. Why not take some friends and a Tesco meal deal to one of the many parks across the city.
Leeds is renowned for its shopping! Take advantage of the stores on your doorstep and have a look round all the independent stores there are on offer.
Fancy something a bit more out of the city? Leeds is surrounded by lots of green areas only a hop, skip or a train journey away.
If these sound like you, why not try out some sober dating instead.
Pace yourself, plan ahead to ease the nerves – even if this includes an exit strategy! Try some distractions like ringing a mate before the date instead of downing a pint for courage. And try to have a great night that you’ll remember.
Here are some ideas of where you can go for a successful sober date:
You might have used your FitBit, Strava or MyFitnessPal, but why not extend the healthiness beyond January? Cutting down on drinking can save you that headache, hangxiety and sluggish feeling and leave you feeling happier, energised and sleeping better. Here are a few free apps that are easy to use and can help you save lbs and £s.
NHS Drink Free Days
This app frames itself as being for people who love to drink but want some help cutting down. It lets you choose which days of the week you’d like to go drink-free and helps you stick to it. ‘Health guidelines recommend we all take at least 3 days off drinking a week’.
You start by setting up your own personal goals for cutting down drinking, give some insight into a typical week currently and take a pledge on which 3 days you’d like to go drink free.
The app shows you what you could spend those calories on instead and how much money you’d save if you cut back – per week, per month and per year. A great motivator for me personally!
It’s an easy to use app that doesn’t take much time. Once you’ve set your goal you can look back weekly to see if you’re on track and to keep you motivated you can see how much money and calories you are saving in the process. Win win if you ask me!
MyDrinkaware App
MyDrinkaware app helps you track your drinking changes. Once you set up your free account you can track drinks, drink -free days as well as sleep quality. So many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep and are fed up of feeling shattered. By tracking drink alongside sleep you should see a noticeable difference.
You can also set your own goals, log and celebrate drink-free days. The app has a built in progress tracker to help you keep on track and motivate you to keep going.
Drink Coach
Drink Coach lets you track your drinks and set multiple goals such as drinking less, saving more or having days off. Some of the features that set this app aside from the others are the reminders from your ‘sober-self’. If you know you have plans and don’t want to be suffering a hangover you can set these reminders to ping up to yourself from yourself.
You can also try out some of the app’s mindfulness videos to help improve your mental and physical health further.
Try Dry
Lots of you may have taken part in Dry January but did you know the Try Dry app helps you well beyond this month. You can set yourself another new challenge, track units and view on a units calendar.
You can also record how you’re feeling, use the health quiz and help keep up the dry streaks.
Perhaps for this reason, ‘fresher’ culture and alcohol are seen to go hand in hand. Universities will boast about how many pubs and bars they have on campus and new conversations revolve around funny stories of how friends threw up the night before.
If you look at student halls, you will see empty bottles of vodka and gin lining the windowsill as if shouting: “look how fun we are up here”. Drinking culture at university is reliant on the nerves that come with these new social challenges.
Although it may seem to be, alcohol doesn’t define everyone’s experience. In the summer, The Guardian reported that 1 in 4 people aged 16-24 are now teetotal. According to 2022 reports by Drinkaware, alcohol-free beverages are now drunk during around a third of pub visits and the market for alcohol-free drinks has actually grown by over 506% since 2015, according to Forbes.
Celebrities, such as Love Island 2019 winner Amber Davies, now use their social media platforms to talk about how not drinking has uplifted and improved their mental and physical health.
Not drinking is no longer something to be anxious about, as most of the room will most likely already be friends with or know someone with the same feelings towards it.
If you’re not used to going to events without drinking it may feel strange, but quitting drinking doesn’t have to mean quitting socialising and having fun with new people.
If you feel yourself becoming introverted, an easy solution is to ask new people about themselves: ‘why did you join this society? How are you finding your first year? Where are you originally from?’.
By asking one small opening question, the people around you will naturally start talking and sharing stories with you and each other.
Embracing your natural, sober personality in a room full of new people and drinking students is maybe something that is learnt over time. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done. In learning not to rely on drinking to have a good time, you also will learn not to rely on it to have a naturally strong, funny and confident personality.
Whilst peer pressure is real at university, this is also the best time in your life to find true, lifelong friends who are not only there when you are fuelled by a temporary liquid confidence.
By embracing your natural personality, you will also learn to embrace being a little naturally shy sometimes in new social situations. But through this exploration, you will naturally fit right in.
We all know to line our stomach before we drown ourselves in alcohol but rarely remember until the end of the night kebab cravings kick in. Festivals have some of the best food – whether it’s a burrito, burger or biryani that’s up your street. Get a filling meal in before the drinking begins
I’m sure you’ve already spent ages looking at the line up and dreaming of finally seeing your favourite artist. Make sure you don’t miss them, lay off the box wine and cheap vodka during the day
Dance and sing your heart out to all your favourite bands. Switch up the beers with water so you can stay on top form. Make memories this summer and leave the festival with some class stories instead of a blackout blur.
It’s heating up in the UK but the last thing you want is to pass out from the drink, crowds and heatstroke. Take a refillable bottle with you and sip soft drinks throughout the day. If you swap between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks it’ll save you a bomb as well
Are you going to a festival this year?
Forward Leeds has some more advice on How to Party Properly on their mobile-friendly website including the risks when combining drugs.
I can usually have a few drinks and a good time with nothing too crazy happening. I mean, as someone who volunteers for a responsible drinking campaign, I should hope so, right?
However…I recently had a night out which did not go to plan and ended with a lot of drunken tears and a lot of regret the next day.
So how do you pick yourself up and dust yourself off after a negative drinking experience? And what can we learn from these experiences, if anything?
Here are my thoughts…
I was already SO tired before the night even started. I remember thinking, do I really want to go out? But the FOMO got to me – don’t let it! Don’t allow people (even good friends) to talk you into anything – ever. If you’re tired, get a takeaway, chill out and just go to bed!
I completely lost count…I was mixing drinks…it was bad. So when you get a second -just stop – and make a rough count of how much you think you’ve had…then add at least one more to whatever you’ve estimated
If you stop once you can feel it hit – it’s already too late. After a few drinks, just have one soft drink regardless of how you feel. Trust – you’ll be glad you did
Linking back to point 1, don’t stay out later than you really want to. It’s easy to just keep drinking because you’re tired, bored and just trying to block it all out – but it’s ok to say “you know what, I’m really tired, I’m just gonna call an Uber”
Bad experiences teach us so much more than good ones (annoying, I know!). Reflect on what happened and what you can do differently next time. It doesn’t have to be about drinking or not drinking- there is a middle ground – you really can have a great night AND a great next day!
It’s not really a brunch at all – most places allow you to book your start time up until 3pm. So book a bit later, line your stomach with a hearty breakfast and you’re good to go
Browse the menus and read some reviews before you book. Some places try to get away with serving a small plate as your main. Don’t get ripped off – if you’re paying £30 you may as well get a decent meal out of it.
This goes for drink too – choose somewhere that’s serving quality beverages rather than cheap booze. The quality of the drink can actually have quite a big impact on how it makes you feel. And – you guessed it – the cheaper it is, the worse the outcome. You could even go “dry” and have some delicious mocktails instead!
Sitting in the sun may seem like a bright idea (and is great for a pic or two), but unlimited drinks in the sun for 2 hours is a recipe for disaster. If half your table are in the sun, rotate seats every now and then.
Mums have been trying to tell us for years: have a glass of water in between every drink. Hydration is the key to success – get a pitcher for the table. This way you’ll actually have fun, and not end up in a taxi home with a headache at 5pm.
I’m not ashamed to admit a Tesco 3-courser is my Valentine’s sorted (sad? No way!) Make yourself feel special with your favourite take-away or home-cooking.
A luxurious shower, face mask and scented candle doesn’t have to be reserved for the girls! Calling all single boys out there: treat yo’self!
The mornings are getting lighter, the evenings are drawing out and crocuses are popping up everywhere (proof from my camera roll above). Take a moment to appreciate the better and brighter days to come.
Exercise is proven to improve mood and release sadness-fighting hormones so you really CAN sweat your tears away! Get yourself to the gym, go for a run or try something new!
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be about celebrating romantic love, it can also be the perfect opportunity to recognise all the wonderful people already in your life! Spread the love by getting together with friends and family-who needs a date?!
I have to be honest, the name for this blog came to me long before I could think of anything to write! Like most people, drinking is usually how I manage an awful party with no obvious means of escape…
…But as recent experience has taught me, a boring party is boring whether you’ve had 2 drinks or 10. The only difference being that with 10 drinks it manages to ruin Saturday AND Sunday, and I don’t know about you but I resent losing an entire weekend to something that deserved a one-star review on TripAdviser…
Ok…so how can you really have fun at a Christmas party without alcohol?
Here are some ideas…
Learn to dance 💃🏽
You don’t need to be drunk when you’re dancing to your heart’s content
Take control of the playlist 🎵
You can’t dance to a rubbish music, so change it
Bring the conversation
In parties, as in life, sometimes we have to BRING the vibes, so prepare some funny anecdotes and questions to get the conversation going
Pace yourself
Ummm, how do I do that? Go slow, learn your body’s signals for when the drink is catching up with you, alternate between alcoholic and soft drinks, and sneak a glass of water when you can
Take the pressure off
Let’s face it – you win some, you lose some and not every Saturday night will be the best night of your life. Sometimes it’s just nice to get leave the house and be around new people. So shake it off and make the most of tomorrow!
Learn to say byiiiii 👻
Ok. Leaving a party early can be rude. And yes. There is a balance to be had here as some parties just take a minute to warm up. Departing after 20 minutes maybe unfair but, equally, your time is precious, and you owe it to yourself not to waste it so once you’ve given a party a fair shot, LEAVE!
Sometimes it can be easy to forget how alcohol may be affecting our relationships. I think as a University student, our alcohol use is most likely to affect our relationships with flatmates. We live with them for the whole academic year, and they are the people who have to deal with all the drunken singing, noise and mess left behind from pre-drinking.
I personally experienced frustration many times with drunk flatmates. Mainly, due to them returning from a night out drunk and making lots of noise whilst I was sleeping. There were many nights where I had lectures early the next day, work or even exams. But as my flatmates had been drinking, they would come back and starting shouting, singing, playing loud music in the corridor outside of my bedroom.
This would make it impossible to sleep and give me a headache, leaving me quite frustrated- especially if I had something important going on the next day like an exam. It felt like my flatmates didn’t care about how I was feeling, and how their actions affected me.
I also did many of these things before when I would go out and get drunk- so I understand both sides. I’ve definitely learnt from both experiences- I hated annoying my flatmates or doing anything to make them feel uncomfortable. I always felt so guilty and realised that our relationship and respecting them was a lot more important than getting drunk. I also understand how frustrating it is being the flatmate who has to deal with people who are drunk, and I realised I would never want to put anyone in that position myself.
Sometimes my flatmates would bring new friends they made at the club back to our flat. I had experiences where these people would try and enter my room, break my stuff or I would find them sleeping in our kitchen. This made me feel unsafe and on edge. My flat is a space where I want to feel most safe and comfortable, but that is hardly possible when you have strangers trying to enter your room or sleeping in your kitchen.
Safety is a big thing. After a night of heavy drinking, it’s so easy to accidentally put your flatmates at risk. I experienced exactly that. My flatmate returned from a night out very drunk and decided that she was hungry. So, she put on a pot of pasta to cook and returned to her room. But, as she was in her room, she laid down in bed, closed her eyes and fell asleep, completely forgetting about the pasta.
When I woke up in the morning the whole kitchen was completely filled with smoke. This could’ve ended badly if any of us woke up just a few hours later, especially as our fire alarm had broken.
People can also make spontaneous decisions when drunk that they regret the next morning. I heard many stories of people getting into arguments with their flatmates when drunk, kissing them, and saying things they don’t mean. This can result in a very awkward situation the next morning and continue to be awkward for the rest of the year as you continue living with them. So, it may just not be worth jeopardising your relationships and peace with people you live with, for just one night being drunk.
You may also have flatmates who don’t drink at all for many reasons including personal choice, religion, previous struggles with alcohol, and so on. I think it’s important to consider your drinking, and respect your flatmates who don’t drink. Especially since you may not know what their reason is for not drinking, and you wouldn’t want to unintentionally hurt them.
Freshers lasts more than one night, and sometimes even more than a week! Remember to pace yourself so that you can enjoy every day / event. You can pace yourself by sipping water between drinks, and by taking the time to actually enjoy your drink instead of downing it. It’s also a good idea to try a few sober nights out during freshers. Being sober can be more fun in many ways, and a sober night out will allow you to recover and recharge.
Don’t judge anyone who doesn’t drink and don’t feel pressured to drink yourself. If anyone makes you feel embarrassed for turning down a drink, just remember that you’d have felt more embarrassed if you were throwing up and in a state. Brush off any unkind comments. What people think of you turning down a drink / not drinking says a lot about their relationship with alcohol and them as a person. Pick your new friends wisely!
Drinking games are a great way to liven up the party, get the party started (pre-drinks), learn more about your new friends and to have a laugh. To avoid blacking out before you even head out of your accommodation, opt for low or non-alcoholic drinks, or alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The last thing you want to do is go too hard too soon, and end up missing a great night out.
Everyone has different limits, and some people are more tolerant to alcohol than others. Your tolerance levels are influenced by a variety of factors, so it’s important to get to know your limits before consuming large amounts of alcohol within a short period of time. Don’t aim to ‘keep up’ with your friends, and don’t encourage others to drink lots of alcohol, especially in a short amount of time.
Always look out for the people you’re with. A few drinks can easily turn into something messy, so if you know you have a low tolerance to alcohol, let the people you’re drinking with know. If you’re with someone who is highly intoxicated, stay with them and try to keep them sitting up straight and awake. If someone you’re with has passed out, lie them on their side in the recovery position and place a pillow behind them to prevent them from rolling onto their back, and of course seek professional medical help.
It’s been a while since we’ve all been totally let loose, and let’s face it – we’ve been waiting for this moment for the past year and a half, so we should be making these experiences as enjoyable as possible. Taking it too far with alcohol never ends well, so remembering to live in the moment and be present is vital for an enjoyable night out.
If there was one good thing to come out of lockdown, it’s that it really made me realise there’s more to life than drinking. I’ve learnt that I actually enjoy myself more when I’m not on the verge of being sick or blackout drunk. This somehow wasn’t obvious to me before. It’s been very refreshing to wake up nearly every day feeling fresh for the past year and a half, and not letting a hangover completely write off my week.
Festivals, garden and terrace parties are all approaching, and there’s so many happening in Leeds; Leeds Festival, Newsham Park Festival, Mint Terrace Party and The Garden Party Leeds just to name a few. I have a few planned already that I can’t wait for, but my experiences are going to be very different this time around.
I’ve always enjoyed listening to house music at these kind of events, but nearly every time I’ve got myself into a state and not appreciated the music. If you’re paying anything from £50-£250 to go to a music event, you need to get your monies worth and actually appreciate what you’re listening to!
Before an event I’ll usually pick out all the top artists I want to see, but as soon as I get there my plans go to pot and I end up looking back the next day thinking: ‘why didn’t I go see them?’ and ‘what was I actually doing when … was playing?’.
If you’re going to a festival this summer, I’d recommend pacing yourself so that you can enjoy every day – it’s easier said than done, I know. A few years ago when I went to Leeds Fest, there was only one band on my list where I HAD to see them (Kings Of Leon).
The campsite at Leeds Fest opens on the Wednesday, but there’s no live bands on until Friday. After arriving on the Wednesday and setting up our camp, I spent the next two days being somewhat ‘silly’, albeit enjoying myself at the time. I then spent the most of Friday laid in my tent feeling sorry for myself, along with a few of my friends.
That night I missed the only band I was so desperate to see *cries*. We could hear the arena from our tent and it sounded amazing, I genuinely had goosebumps listening to their set and I still hate myself to this day for missing it.
We all deserve to go out and have the best time of our lives after the year we’ve had, but my point is to remain mindful of the consequences of heavy drinking.
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is an amazing book which explores the authors experiences of alcoholism, with well written and funny stories. Throughout the book, Catherine shares her bad experiences with alcohol and talks about how they built up over time, until she got to a point where she knew she had a problem. I couldn’t relate to her more extreme experiences, but they were so captivating, and it made me realise how alcohol can slowly begin to ruin someone’s life.
Catherine managed to change her life for the better and now helps others to do the same, but without being too preachy. For anyone who is the ‘life of the party’, cutting out or limiting alcohol consumption may not appear to be an option, however Catherine teaches you how to dance sober and be a party animal without the booze.
Something I’d really like to praise about Catherine’s book, is the fact that she highlights the stigma around alcoholics. She reminds us that it is seen as perfectly fine to be addicted to nicotine/ smoking but not addicted to alcohol, even though alcohol is also an addictive substance. Catherine talks about this in depth so if you think your relationship with alcohol is becoming dangerous, or if you’re worried about someone else’s drinking habits, please read this book.
The Naked Mind by Annie Grace is a book to help understand the pros and cons of drinking alcohol. The purpose of the book is to try and help temptations of drinking alcohol in a social situation, whilst also thinking about the underlying psychological reasons you might be drinking. She talks about you need to understand yourself and your goal in drinking. Is it drinking less? Is it you want to only drink once a week instead of multiple times? In the first part of the book she talks about conscious and unconscious learning of alcohol, and why you might feel a sort of ‘pain’ when trying to become sober. It is an interesting chapter about the power of the mind, and it is the first step of understanding why alcohol can be dangerous psychologically. This approach is a mind over matter approach, that if you can visualise success without the dependence of alcohol then you can help work towards skipping out on beers at the pub.
In the next chapters, she talks that we have to find the problem of why you might have a problem with going overboard on a night out. As a lot of people say, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem – as she discusses various ways that we might push the blame onto other things rather than ourselves. She discusses that we might blame the genes, or even that the taste of alcohol is what is at fault. We come up with excuses like it helps us have more courage, to ‘loosen up’, to have better sexual relations, to have less anxiety. But in the reality of all the perceived advantages, these things are just blurring the fact that there is an underlying dependency on alcohol.
Overall, it is an interesting book that helps rationalise the thoughts or justifications that we might have for alcohol, how we might be able to spot an addiction, and how we may begin the process of drinking less – and what we might do in terms of relapse. I recommend this book if you might try to justify drinking with your friends on a night out, or if you simply want to try to cut down on your intake.
Have you read this book?
Sober Girl Society is a great read for anyone who is interested in drinking less but is unsure of how to navigate life with less alcohol. In her book, Millie talks about how alcohol has become central to our everyday lives, and how it started to ruin hers.
Millie’s experiences with alcohol related to me on every level, and I think her stories will relate to the majority of young people today. I enjoyed this handbook so much because it highlights the social and cultural expectations to drink alcohol and gives you advice on how you can navigate an alcohol-free world, or a world with a little less alcohol. I’ve wanted to quit drinking for a while due to my own negative experiences, but I was so worried that my friends would see me as ‘odd’, and I didn’t want to be left out on nights out. Since reading this book, I have been able to go on nights out completely sober, and have an even better time. I no longer bow down to society’s expectations, thanks to this empowering handbook.
Throughout the book Millie shares her experiences, tips, advice and interesting information about the alcohol industry. I have read a few quit-lit books where I’ve felt like there was a finger pointing at me, making me feel guilty for my past actions, but the Sober Girl Society is far from this kind of book. Millie writes in such a light-hearted, sympathetic and friendly way, and it honestly feels like you’re speaking to a friend.
This book changed my relationship with alcohol for good, so I would recommend it to anyone who has had negative experiences with alcohol. Even if you’re not interested in becoming sober or drinking less, it’s such an interesting and funny read, and it really opened up my eyes to the drinking culture.
Did you enjoy this book?
Pre-drinking is popular for many reasons, including saving money on buying alcohol and getting chance to socialise before hitting the clubs. But you don’t want to take it too far so that pre-drinks is the only part of the night you enjoy.
Have no regrets about your night out by keeping your friends and yourself safe by not overdoing it before you hit the town. Here are 7 reasons to cut back on the pre-drinks.
If you have too many pres, the night out that you planned could be ruined if you don’t get accepted into the club. Nobody wants to be the friend that gets refused entry or gets into a fight. Slow down at the start of the night so that you make it to the end.
No one can deny the money saving aspect of pre-drinking. But why is it that when you check your bank the next day you’ve still spent a bomb? Once you’ve already had a few, you often end up buying more in the club. You could have a pact with your friends to not have more than 2 drinks during your entirety of your night out. Your liver and your bank will thank you!
The peer pressure from your friends isn’t worth the hangover the next day. When you’re pre-drinking, it’s easy to get bogged down with ‘keeping up with the crowd’ and being dragged into dares or drinking games. You might end up drinking more than you wanted and feeling like you should be on the same number as everyone else.
If you feel like it gets too much at pre-drinking, next time you could try arriving fashionably late or even just skipping it entirely and meeting your mates at the club. Your friend, who’s been feeling the same will thank you.
I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s made one or two bad decisions on a night out after pre drinking. The less you pre drink, the less likely you are to end up to have regrets, especially when it normally ends up on someone’s story/tik tok/ IG post the next day. To avoid the hangxiety about what you might have done the night before, why not try a night as designated driver?
When you’ve had too many pre-drinks you become a lot less aware of what’s going on around you. The less you drink the more you can relax on the night out. You’ll be more likely to keep yourself and your friends safe and keep your drink covered.
We all know that drinking too much alcohol in general can be bad for you. If you’re looking to go on a diet, or make your skin clearer then alcohol is not your friend.
Drinking soft drinks, mocktails, and alcohol-free drinks is a great way to enjoy pres with your friends while keeping a clear mind and clear skin.
Why not try something different at the next pre-drinks? It doesn’t have to be ring of fire and downing drinks the fastest. Next time you have a night out, you could host with a quiz, have a fashion show whilst choosing your night out outfits or make your own karaoke night.
There are endless possibilities to get with your friends and do something different and still have an amazing night.
The time has finally come for us to re-adapt to yet another new normal but this time, there really is a pinch of true normality. With lockdown lifting and restrictions meaning we can meet others outside, it’d be too easy to ditch all disciplines we’ve learned over the past year and act like the whole thing has gone away. Truth is, it hasn’t.
More than ever we need to look out for ourselves and each other, both by taking in the rules and spotting what else we can do to be #SafeNotSorry. There are some limits which haven’t been set this time compared to other lockdowns, despite there being more cases this year than the last: so we’ve got some pointers for you.
Be #SafeNotSorry and where there are NO limits, KNOW your limits.
There hasn’t been any indication the 10pm curfew is returning. Whilst this might be good news for you crazy cats and kittens who have some catching up to do with your friends, it means more chance of going over your drinking limit.
At the start of the night, why not set your own curfew and live your Cinderella fantasy. To make sure you stick to this, why not pre-plan where you’ll get your post-party takeaway? Or, if a late-night meal isn’t your thing, you could pre-schedule your Uber home.
With contactless limits on the rise, it’d be super easy to tap your way into some trouble.
Before you become less aware with every sip of your long-awaited beverages, make sure you only transfer a budgeted amount. Plus enough for your trip home.
It’s understandable that people will be excited to be reunited with their loved ones, but add in some alcohol and it’ll be hugs all round.
As exciting as it is to have some sense of ‘normality’, COVID still exists. So, be mindful. Respect others’ personal space and before throwing your arms around them, check they’re okay with it.
We’ve all missed our mates and the first thing we want to do is treat ourselves and them to a good time. But, depending on the numbers in your groups, getting ‘rounds’ with your friends can be seriously costly and even mean you end up drinking more.
Perhaps set yourself a spend limit that accounts for both your drinks and the odd one or two for your mates. Not doing rounds will avoid any quibbles on who has and hasn’t paid theirs yet. Plus, you’re more likely to drink at your own pace and last the whole night.
Using Uber is a very safe way to get yourself home so we completely recommend using it and even pre-ordering it before your night ends so you can leave before you go over your limit.
Take an Uber together with your friends: this has multiple benefits. It is the safest thing to leave together as a group, this way nobody gets left behind. You can also set multiple destinations on Uber, share your location and split the fare.
After what we’ve all gone through over the past year, a lot of us are looking forward to some tasty cocktails. It’s all too tempting to go all-out when we go OUT out in the near future, but just remember not to dive in the deep end.
Our tolerances may have changed over this time period, seeing as its unlikely that we’ve had the same exposure to alcohol. Be mindful about how quickly drinks are consumed and consider whether there’s any need for the shots, why not just settle for a sippy drink and leave the shots. After all, it’d be easier on the bank account and the head the next day!
When I turned 18, I was out in Leeds nearly every weekend, and nearly every weekend was the same story. I have come to realise that I hate the feeling of being drunk, particularly because I like to feel in control of my body and when I am not it makes me super anxious. So, whenever I could feel myself heading into the ‘blackout drunk’ stage I would take myself home to my safe, warm, and cosy bed, yet it wasn’t as safe as it seemed.
Throughout the past few years, I have thrown up in my sleep countless times, with no memory of it occurring. Although I knew the dangers of this and was fully aware that I could choke in my sleep and potentially die, there were so many times when I had gone to sleep feeling somewhat fine, so I could not understand why it was happening so frequently.
Despite the frequent occurrence of what I now understand was alcohol overdose, I continued to drink excessive amounts in a short space of time. It’s also cost me a small fortune having to constantly replace duvets, bedding, pillows etc.
Before I share with you what I know now and how you can prevent this from happening, I want to highlight my most worrying experience of alcohol overdose which was during a girl’s holiday in Zante. As you’re probably aware, these kinds of holidays are centred around excessive drinking, and drinking to ‘get drunk’.
One night we paid for a 3-hour unlimited bar, and of course I wanted to get my monies worth. After the 3 hours were up we went to the next club and I knew I was on the verge of blacking out, so it was time for me to go to bed and ‘sleep it off’. My friend kindly walked me back to the hotel and the next thing I remember was waking up very confused and seeing sick on the floor.
Pretty much every time this has happened I have still been drunk when I’ve woke up, so I’ve somehow managed to find light in the situation and laugh it off. I guess it’s one of those things where if you don’t laugh you’ll cry.
Anyway, after having a conversation with one of my friends (who usually stayed out until the early hours) she told me she came back to the hotel not long after me, and for some reason got a taxi home (it was only a 15-minute walk). This friend was also staying in a different room to me and for some reason she didn’t have her room key, she had my second one.
She said she could hear me choking from outside the room, and when she opened the door she saw me laid on my back, foaming at the mouth and choking on my sick. Luckily, she was there to turn me onto my side, so I could throw up all the pasta I had eaten a few hours before, and considering the strange coincidences, I’m lucky to be alive to tell the tale.
You’d think this would’ve stopped me from binge drinking again, but it didn’t. Since then, I have unknowingly thrown up in my sleep multiple times, but after gaining an interest in reading books on alcohol and experiencing life in lockdown without these kinds of nights out, I’ve become more aware of the causes and effects of alcohol overdose, and I’ve realised how good life is to feel ‘fresh’ every day. I will never allow myself to get into those states again.
Even after you’ve finished drinking your last drink, your alcohol levels continue to rise. There have clearly been many times when I’ve gone home feeling relatively stable, yet unaware that my alcohol levels are rising, causing me to ‘blackout’ in my sleep. Alcohol also hinders the signals in your brain that trigger your gag reflexes, and this can be fatal for obvious reasons.
If you know you have a ‘low tolerance’ to alcohol, then make it known to the people you’re drinking with.
Your age, gender, weight, height, medication, and food intake are just a few of the factors that impact your tolerance levels. So, as a 5 ft 1 women weighing just over 100 pounds, my tolerance to alcohol is understandably going to be much lower than your average persons, and this is something I would encourage you to consider when trying to ‘keep up’ with your peers.
I’ve always felt that people would perceive me as ‘boring’ if I didn’t drink. If you want to wake up in the morning with no regrets that doesn’t make you boring, just sensible, and more people need to realise this.
Even though alcohol is a poisonous drug, people advise us to get to know our limits, but we all have different tolerances to alcohol and our ‘limit’ is dependent on so many factors, making it difficult to do so. So, try not to bow down to the pressure of having to keep up with everyone else and instead keep it steady.
Reducing your alcohol consumption is an effective form of self-care, it improves everything from our finances to our physical and mental health.
Whilst waking up to find yourself in a pool of your own sick is most definitely the least glamorous part of a night out, it could also be the most dangerous.
Be aware of the risks, take it steady, live in the moment, make memories, and look after yourself and others.
Meet some of our volunteers and hear what their tips are to have a night with no regrets and a great next day.
Ella’s Tip:
Sophie’s Tip:
Frederica’sTip:
Jonny’sTip:
Kate’sTip:
Georgia’sTip:
Lockdown is tough and it’s only made tougher by the hangover the day after the night before. But you don’t have to spend your nights drinking with mates over Zoom or stuck in the house drinking out of boredom. Why not try out some new things to pass the time and have you feeling fine?
Whether it’s a sea shanty or the Junebug challenge, Tik Tok has plenty of videos to watch and challenges to join in on
The shops are closed and you’re fed up of couriers leaving your parcels in your bin. Why not raid your wardrobe for the clothes you haven’t worn in a while and show off your masterpieces on Instagram.
Always wanted to play guitar but been putting it off? Now is as good a time as any to take on that challenge.
Lockdown and drinking less may be hard but don’t let it stop you from indulging in the finest food and desserts. Why not get your housemates involved and enjoy the 3 course meals?
They may not have been used since you were ten but board games can be a fun way to pass time and be sociable. Failing the board games whip out Cards Against Humanity. There’s even an online version to play with the pals you can’t meet right now.
We can’t travel yet but one day you can tick off some countries from your ultimate travel goals. No harm in daydreaming.
You may need yoga to distress or you may want to take up running to get out of the house. Whatever it is, get moving and feel them endorphins.
Select a night and take it in turns to choose which series to watch as a house. Whether it’s Brooklyn 999, Superstore or the latest murder documentary.
Now’s your chance to finally read that book you’ve been meaning to, get your favourite bath bomb, face mask and relax in the bath.
Let us know what you do to keep occupied in lockdown and don’t forget to tag us @NoRegretsLeeds and include #FeelingFine if you try any of these out.