Whether you have been sober for a long while, or just now testing out the waters, it can be confusing to figure out what sober travel is and feeling confident in taking your next step towards this.
In essence, sober travelling is visiting somewhere new with the intention of not drinking, also referred to as ‘dry tripping’. It means you get to experience a beautiful new place, and enjoy meeting new people without the distortion of alcohol. It doesn’t necessarily mean an all-or-nothing approach to drinking, but having a greater awareness over your consumption and how it affects your perspective of the world.
Personally, I don’t drink whilst travelling because it’s not something I enjoy. I have never been a big drinker, I never have alcohol in my home space and typically I will only drink once or twice a year when I have the desire to do so. I am able to appreciate my experiences with a simple glass of coke zero, and not feeling like I’m missing out, and I can get up and act like a fool on the dance floor without that added confidence boost that a drink can provide! 💃
It is an empowering journey to learn how to experience the world without the tint of alcohol, building greater depth to your identity, a closer connection to the world around you amongst so many other amazing benefits, including:
💤 Better sleep
After reading ‘Why We Sleep’ by Matthew Walker, this really started my journey to reducing my drinking. Using research, he explains the detrimental impacts of alcohol on sleep and as someone who can’t survive off a bad night sleep (and doesn’t want to grow dependent on coffee ☕), it was so good to have an understanding of how alcohol affected this crucial aspect of well-being. When you’re well-rested, you’re better equipped to enjoy all the adventures travel has to offer and you get the opportunity to beat the hungover crowds!
⚖️ Weight management
Whilst I’m not necessarily trying to lose or manage my weight, when I’m travelling for a long period of time, it’s mentally safer for me to not feel like my body is fluctuating regularly with alcohol consumption. (Body dysmorphia goes crazy🫠). Avoiding alcohol helps maintain a sense of stability and control over my physical health, which can be particularly beneficial when navigating new environments and different food cultures that pray to reap havoc on our digestive systems…
⚕️ Stronger immune system
With the added benefits of improved sleep comes a stronger immune system that is prepared to fight off any nasty germs you picked up on the flight to your destination, or that questionable bathroom👀. A robust immune system is also essential for certain activities, such as scuba diving, where even mild cold symptoms can prevent participation. Staying sober helps ensure you’re in peak condition to enjoy all your planned activities. 🤿
⚡ Improved energy and mental wellbeing
As someone who has struggled with their mental health for most of their life, not drinking has made life so much easier for me! I experience less body dysmorphia, have more energy to put therapeutic skills into practice, and enjoy greater clarity in thinking. It also significantly reduces stress (hello, hangxiety) about social interactions, such as worrying about what I might have said to strangers in the hostel social area the day before.🤣 This allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable travel experience, and means I can show up as my true – and slightly less embarrassing – self.
💑 Clearer relationships
By not drinking whilst I’m travelling, it means that I am able to have deeper and more meaningful relationships with those that I cross paths with. Even if it doesn’t lead to long term friendships, it often leads to more in-depth conversations in the moment. This benefits me mentally, makes my time in a place much more enjoyable, and helps develop a stronger connection to the location and its people.
💲Boosted savings
One of my favourite benefits (as a frugal girly) is that it means I can save extra money compared to many other travellers – not just on drinks, but on entry tickets for clubs and festivals, as well as taxis and other associated costs that come with a night out, if you would prefer to avoid these environments. And you know what that means? Extra fun funds to spend towards amazing activities that make me feel excited and grateful to be exactly where I am!
If you want ideas for amazing sober activities to get involved in, check out my free Sober Explorer Toolkit PDF!
🛟 Safety
And finally, safety. This is a big thing for me, especially depending on the country I’m in. You are in a foreign place, you still haven’t figured out how to get around without turning 360 degrees calibrating Google maps to your location, your phone is on 13% and English isn’t a very common language with the locals…sounds like the perfect environment for an alcoholic beverage.😂 By not drinking, I feel much safer especially if I’m wanting to explore the area after the sun has gone down which really helps my anxiety and means I can relax and appreciate everything I’ve seeing, hearing and smelling (not always a good thing👀).
Of course this list is not limiting, but it’s pretty much every reason for why I don’t drink! If you have further questions, check out the rest of my articles and I’d love to know if there are any other reasons why you don’t drink whilst travelling, or at all. 😊
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