When it comes to our health, where do we stand on alcohol, really? The broad consensus is that, generally speaking, cutting back on (or altogether cutting out) alcohol can have positive impacts for our health. After all, excessive alcohol consumption can do everything from shrink our brain tissue to enhance the risk of cardiovascular disease to increase our propensity to develop cancers of the liver, colon, breast, esophagus, and mouth. Phew. That’s enough to scare even the most fervent partier away from the bar for at least one night.

But then there are studies like this one that point to red wine’s antioxidant effects, which include helping our body increase levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. In fact, research has shown that moderate red wine consumption – a glass of wine per night for women, up to two for men – can also help lower our risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. And health benefits aside, let’s not forget that for some of us, a casual glass of wine at dinner, a cold beer on the beach, or a fun cocktail out with friends is a source of pleasure. Must we sacrifice that in order to preserve our brain tissue?

The simple answer is no. But the more complex is answer is… it’s complicated.

“JUST ONE” CAN BE HARD

Since alcohol is an addictive substance, it can be hard to display restraint when consuming it: Even the most prudent of us will admit to letting one glass of wine slide to three on occasion. At that point, unfortunately, most of its beneficial effects are lost. Add in the fact that some of us our genetically predisposed to have issues practicing restraint (alcoholism is a disease). This creates a situation wherein alcohol simply isn't a healthy choice for everyone. 

ALCOHOL IS PERSONAL

Along those lines, alcohol is a depressant – at least, when you over-consume. That’s to say, many people enjoy alcohol for its stimulating effects: It makes them laugh harder, dance more easily, and generally feel “loosened up.” But when that casual drink turns to shots at the bar, alcohol’s depressant effects take hold – which can be seriously destructive if you are already depressed or suffering emotionally. This is why it’s incredibly important to be mindful of your mental and emotional health when consuming booze.

NOT ALL ALCOHOLS ARE EQUAL

Moreover, the type of alcohol you are drinking is important. Even though you may love your mojito, it is loaded with sugar and empty calories that immediately get stored as fat. This is why it’s important to choose wisely: We recommend sticking with heart-healthy red wine or high-quality tequila paired with seltzer and a wedge of citrus. Take your time to really enjoy these drinks, ideally sipping on them with food. And, yes, of course you can have your mojito once in a while! 

IT’S ABOUT INTENT

Alcohol isn’t the devil. But it should be consumed in moderation and, in our opinion, in settings that bring you joy. I grew up in a very healthy, active family and my parents drank a glass of red wine every night at dinner – mostly because my dad is a bit of an oenophile and it really enhanced the food. It’s a ritual that I think is healthy, enriching, and has been practiced in societies like France and Italy for years. But if you are drinking simply to get drunk, you are drinking for the wrong reasons – period. So, always ask yourself: Why am I drinking? The answer may be sobering.

The second installment of our Spring Cleanse Series is all about clearing up one of the most cluttered spaces we have: Our minds! Yep, if you're finding that you're feeling distracted, worried, anxious, disorganized or just downright stressed lately, this post is for you. So let's get to it. 

SPRING CLEANSE: YOUR MIND

INSTITUTE REGULAR DIGITAL DETOXES

The biggest reason for our distracted and disorganized states of mind? Technology. Yep, as we've written about recently, our smartphones and laptops might make us feel more connected and productive than ever, but they are quite literally draining our valuable brainpower. This is because responding to texts, "liking" Instagrams and fielding emails might seem like easy, basic tasks, but they actually require significant amounts of energy and a constant need to process information. Resultantly, we're less present, less energized and more scattered than ever. Furthermore, we've come to crave these interactions with our screens; studies like this one show that we're increasingly addicted to our technology -- and experience withdrawal symptoms when we cannot access things like our phones or the Internet. This is why it's more important than ever to shut down our screens and find time to "detox." Use this new season as an opportunity to instate rules limiting technology use. We personally try and do four hours tech-free on Sundays, which is a relatively easy place to start. 

TURN OFF THE NEWS

Regardless of your political orientation, does anyone else feel like the news is bringing them down lately? It's a topic we've discussed on the blog -- and an area that we're always working on -- but we struggle with the increasingly fraught state of affairs here in the United States and beyond. While meditation and calming techniques can help, sometimes stepping away from the acrimonious and polarizing news cycle is a necessary (and totally healthy) coping mechanism. In lieu of watching your evening news, then, try reading a book or taking a bath. If you still like to stay in the loop, subscribe to a newspaper or a weekly magazine and use your "current events" time for thoughtful reading, not depressing TV punditry.

GO FOR REGULAR LONG WALKS

Although exercising can be amazingly mind-clearing, intense workouts can sometimes have us thinking "I wish this was over" versus "Isn't this lovely?" Long walks are a great way to use your body, clear your mind and engage in some thoughtful time with yourself or with others. Aim to do 1-2 long walks per week, either by yourself or with a partner. Listening to music is fine, but if you can handle it, try going totally tech-free. Use this time to observe your surroundings, organize your thoughts and feel your body and breath.

WORK WITH YOUR HANDS

Love cooking? Into knitting? All about DIY-ing? Get out of your head and channel some of that pent-up energy into physical work. You may find that some of the issues that are causing you to engage in mental gymnastics will naturally work themselves out while chopping some veggies, plus you'll give yourself a much-needed (focused) distraction from all that's going on inside of your head. Added bonus? This stuff can be fun! 

BE IN NATURE

It's springtime after all -- so get outside! Use the season's milder temperatures, greener pastures and lighter days to alleviate some of your mental burden. This can mean anything from walking home from work instead of cramming into the stressful subway, eating lunch outside versus at your desk, opting for a morning run in lieu of a stuffy gym or simply stepping outdoors and breathing. If you live in an urban area, seek out locales with greenery, as research shows that spending time in natural, foliage-filled areas can have immediate positive impacts on our brains, particularly when it comes to city-dwellers. Park date, anyone?