What I’m Doing Instead of Drinking This St. Patrick’s Day
Monica Drake
| 4 min read
There are many reasons why you may not be drinking this St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe it’s for health reasons. Maybe you struggle with addiction. Maybe you’re pregnant or trying to conceive. Or maybe you just don’t like the way alcohol makes you feel.
I know for people with anxiety, like me, it’s common to use alcohol to cope with stress and to feel more comfortable in social situations. I was guilty of this during Christmastime. I was drinking more than usual to cope with the recent death of my godmother and trying to still be “fun” at Christmas parties. I could feel myself starting to get dependent on alcohol, which I knew wasn’t healthy.
That’s because, in the long run, drinking to inhibit your anxiety is a vicious circle: Drinking to feel less anxious, feeling more anxious because you've been drinking, and then drinking more to stop feeling anxious about drinking. So, it’s important to occasionally take a break from alcohol for the sake of your physical and mental health – and to consider cutting it out completely if it impacts your everyday life.
But, for those who kicked off the new year with an alcohol break, you may find it challenging to stick to your resolve during the biggest beer-drinking holiday of the year. So, what can you do if you still want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day while abstaining from alcohol?
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day without drinking
If you still want to go out with your friends, sometimes it helps to just give your hands something else to do. Often, I struggle at parties because I don't have a drink in my hand to sip when there's a lull in the conversation. But there are plenty of mocktails and non-alcoholic beers that can give your hands something to do. Ask the bartender to put some green food dye into your non-alcoholic drink so you're still part of the Irish fun. Even better, bring an accountability partner with you who will stay sober and make sure you don’t succumb to peer-pressure.
There's also nothing wrong with avoiding outings at bars, which is what I’m planning to do for probably the first time since I turned 21. Prioritizing your own health is what's most important. I will still be dressed head to toe in green while eating corned beef and cabbage – with a Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s instead of a glass of green beer or whiskey. My husband and I also enjoy watching the movies “P.S. I Love You” and Disney’s “Luck of the Irish” on St. Patrick’s Day. Some other good Irish flicks include “Once,” “Brooklyn,” “Waking Ned Devine,” “The Departed,” and “The Quiet Man.”
Irish festivals will also be held throughout Michigan this year. These family-friendly events include plenty of things to do that don’t involve drinking, such as parades, live music, dancing, crafts, and, of course, lots of food. For a list of St. Patrick’s Day events happening around the state, visit Pure Michigan.
If you’re still struggling not to drink, remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. Excessive alcohol use can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, digestive problems, a weakened immune system, memory problems, and mental health problems like depression and anxiety. At the very least, remind yourself of the money you will be saving on your bar tab.
Sober St. Patrick's Day Activities in Metro Detroit:
- Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Cooking Class on Friday, March 14 at the Thought Design Learning Studio in Rockford and learn how to whip up traditional Irish dishes.
- Friends of Michigan Animals Rescue will host their inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Roller Skating Party on Saturday, March 15 at the Sumpter Roller Skate Park in Belleville.
- Leprechaun Days at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion runs from March 15-16. You can meet friendly leprechauns, watch performances by Irish dancers, and enjoy magic shows.
- Head to the SELCRA Meijer Park in Brighton for a Leprechaun Treasure Hunt on March 15.
- Wear your green to the St. Patrick’s Day Candy Bar Bingo on March 15 at the Brownstown Event Center. Entry fee is one full-size candy bar per person.
- Enjoy winter activities, like skiing, biking, snowshoeing, ice skating and more, during Celts and Kayaks on March 15 at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville.
- The 42nd annual CorkTown Races will take place Sunday, March 16. The races start on Michigan Avenue and finish in front of Michigan Central Station.
- The 52nd annual Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Races is on March 16 in Downtown Bay City.
- Join in a St. Patrick’s Day Irish Song Sing Along on Monday, March 17 at the Robin Theatre in Lansing.
- Humane Animal Treatment Society in Mt. Pleasant is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day adoption event from March 13 – 18, offering a reduced adoption fee for cats and dogs.
Opinions expressed in this blog belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Monica Drake.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Monica Drake.
