The study found that red wine and beer make people feel relaxed, while spirits make people feel sexy and energetic.
Drinking beer or wine sometimes seems like a helpful way to ease anxiety. This is because alcohol is both a stimulant and a sedative, meaning it can make you feel more energetic and engaged, as well as calm and relaxed.
Alcohol has an effect on brain chemistry - it can induce panic because of its effects on GABA, a chemical in the brain that normally has a relaxing effect. Small amounts of alcohol can stimulate GABA and cause feelings of relaxation, but heavy drinking can deplete GABA, causing increased tension and feelings of panic.
Using alcohol is not the best long-term plan for stress relief. Alcohol is a depressant that disrupts the balance of chemicals necessary for optimal brain function. As a result, alcohol use can negatively impact feelings and actions and permanently alter long-term mental and physical health over time.
Wine depresses the central nervous system which means that your senses slow down, including your thought processes. So, if you're mind has been racing all day thinking about all the things you have to do then a glass of wine can help to alleviate your stress, worry and anxiety by decreasing such feelings.
Vodka Acts as Stress Buster
Vodka is known for its sleep-inducing properties and has a calming effect on the brain. Out of all the alcoholic drinks even the red wine, vodka has far more impact in decreasing the stress factor of the body. Moderate consumption of vodka helps in relaxing the mind and body.
The barbiturate effect of the alcohol can reduce stress, and also has sedative properties to help you sleep if you're experiencing anxiety. This is why whiskey is a classic choice of nightcap for badasses the world over.
In addition to being associated with negative or unpleasant feelings, cortisol also interacts with the brain's reward or “pleasure” systems. Researchers believe this may contribute to alcohol's reinforcing effects, motivating the drinker to consume higher levels of alcohol in an effort to achieve the same effects.
It is a common misconception that alcohol is a safe and effective way to manage stress and negative emotions. One of the reasons so many people drink alcohol so much is the false belief that alcohol is the only way to relax. In reality, alcohol does not ease or relieve stress, but actually exacerbates it.
The best stress-relieving drinks include ginger, chamomile tea, valerian, black tea, coconut water, milk, green tea, coffee, lemon balm tea, water, and vegetable and fruit juice. Aromatherapy is another self-soothing practice shown to have benefits for mental health.
As well as having an actively positive effect on the body, whisky is also the healthiest alcohol you can drink. It contains no fat and hardly any sugar or carbohydrates. It barely alters the level of sugar in your blood, making it a better choice for diabetics than other alcohol.
It may cause our body to release endorphins (making us feel relaxed and euphoric), but it's also classified as a depressant. If you're predisposed to mental health disorders, alcohol can exacerbate the effects of certain conditions – including anxiety and depression.
- Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Caffeinated energy drinks are some of the most popular functional drinks on the market. They are packed with caffeine and other stimulants, which can give you a quick buzz.
Since alcohol can increase the body's production of dopamine and serotonin, two of the body's 'happy hormones', it can temporarily make us feel less anxious.
Similar to its impact on anxiety, not only can alcohol worsen depression, it can actually cause it too. When the effects of alcohol wear off, it changes our brain chemistry for the worse.
Cabernet Sauvignons are high in polyphenols and resveratrol, making them a good choice for people who want to relax with their wine.
Tea is likely to be the most relaxing alcohol alternative. But if you don't like it, flavoured sparkling water is another good choice. Bubbly and fizzy, it can feel just like a sip of alcohol! You can add extra flavourings to this too, such as berries, citrus fruits, and herbs.
Medical research has linked magnesium to reduced anxiety. Magnesium helps you to relax by stimulating the production of melatonin and serotonin which boost your mood and help you sleep. Magnesium also reduces the production of cytokines and cortisol, which lead to increased inflammation and stress.