Inboxes List

Create an inbox to save and track emails. It's free!

+New inbox
Back
Back
Back 
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
 <head>
  <meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=0" name="viewport"/>
  <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"/>
  <style type="text/css">
   ReadMsgBody{ width: 100%;}
      .ExternalClass {width: 100%;}
      .ExternalClass, .ExternalClass p, .ExternalClass span, .ExternalClass font, .ExternalClass td, .ExternalClass div {line-height: 100%;}
      body {-webkit-text-size-adjust:100%; -ms-text-size-adjust:100%;margin:0 !important;}
      p { margin: 1em 0;}
      table td { border-collapse: collapse;}
      img {outline:0;}
      a img {border:none;}
      @-ms-viewport{ width: device-width;}
  </style>
  <style type="text/css">
   @media only screen and (max-width: 480px) {
        .container {width: 100% !important;}
        .footer { width:auto !important; margin-left:0; }
        .mobile-hidden { display:none !important; }
        .logo { display:block !important; padding:0 !important; }
        img { max-width:100% !important; height:auto !important; max-height:auto !important;}
        .header img{max-width:100% !important;height:auto !important; max-height:auto !important;}
        .photo img { width:100% !important; max-width:100% !important; height:auto !important;}
        .drop { display:block !important; width: 100% !important; float:left; clear:both;}
        .footerlogo { display:block !important; width: 100% !important; padding-top:15px; float:left; clear:both;}
        .nav4, .nav5, .nav6 { display: none !important; }
        .tableBlock {width:100% !important;}
        .responsive-td {width:100% !important; display:block !important; padding:0 !important; }
        .fluid, .fluid-centered {
          width: 100% !important;
          max-width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
          margin-left: auto !important;
          margin-right: auto !important;
        }
        .fluid-centered {
          margin-left: auto !important;
          margin-right: auto !important;
        }
        /* MOBILE GLOBAL STYLES - DO NOT CHANGE */
body, .tb_properties{font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; font-size: 16px !important; color: #333333 !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; padding: 0px !important; }.buttonstyles{font-family: Arial, helvetica, sans-serif !important; font-size: 16px !important; color: #FFFFFF !important; padding: 10px !important; }h1{font-family: Arial !important; font-size: 22px !important; color: #333333 !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; }h2{font-family: Arial !important; font-size: 18px !important; color: #5D5D5D !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; }h3{font-family: Arial !important; font-size: 18px !important; color: #333333 !important; line-height: 1.15 !important; }a:not(.buttonstyles){line-height: 1.15 !important; }.mobile-hidden{display: none !important; }.responsive-td {width: 100% !important; display: block !important; padding: 0 !important;}
/* END OF MOBILE GLOBAL STYLES - DO NOT CHANGE */
      }
      @media only screen and (max-width: 640px) {
        .container { width:100% !important; }
        .mobile-hidden { display:none !important; }
        .logo { display:block !important; padding:0 !important; }
        .photo img { width:100% !important; height:auto !important;}
        .nav5, .nav6 { display: none !important;}
        .fluid, .fluid-centered {
          width: 100% !important;
          max-width: 100% !important;
          height: auto !important;
          margin-left: auto !important;
          margin-right: auto !important;
        }
        .fluid-centered {
          margin-left: auto !important;
          margin-right: auto !important;
        }
      }
  </style>
  <!--[if mso]>       <style type="text/css">           /* Begin Outlook Font Fix */               body, table, td {                  font-family : Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;                  line-height : 150%;                  font-size : 16px;                  color : #333333;               }           /* End Outlook Font Fix */       </style>     <![endif]-->
 </head>
 <body bgcolor="#EFEFEF" style="margin: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust:none;background-color : #EFEFEF; font-family : Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height : 150%; font-size : 16px; color : #333333; padding : 5px; " text="#808080">
  <style type="text/css">
   div.preheader 
{ display: none !important; }
  </style>
  <div class="preheader" style="font-size: 1px; display: none !important;">
   What to say to friends — and the etiquette of alcohol-free outings
  </div>
  <div style="font-size:0; line-height:0;">
   <img alt="" height="1" src="https://inboxflows.com/_/image/https%253A%252F%252Fclick.nl.npr.org%252Fopen.aspx%253Fffcb10-fe6a15707663047d7c15-fdf610767561067b74127573-fe8e12747761037574-feef1274736d03-fe201374706501747c1774-ff68157376%2526d%253D60247%2526bmt%253D0/?inbox_flows_img_sig=eyJwYXRoIjoiaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZjbGljay5ubC5ucCIsInRpbWUiOjE3NTkyMjMyOTcuMDAwNDA5MX0:1v3WLJ:1hY-CcjcMplmSZnQLrEB0Lty86CSXpEqc3_4mGsCQUY" width="1"/>
  </div>
  <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
   <tr>
    <td align="center" valign="top">
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td align="center">
     <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="container" width="600">
      <tr>
       <td style="text-align:right;padding-bottom:5px;">
        <a style="color:#666666;font-size:0.9rem;" target="_blank">
         View this email online
        </a>
       </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
       <td>
        <!-- added the border style here -->
        <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tb_properties border_style" style="background-color : #FFFFFF; border : 0px;font-size : 16px; font-family : Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height : 150%; color : #333333; " width="100%">
         <!-- end of comment -->
         <tr>
          <td align="center" valign="top">
           <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
            <tr>
             <td>
              <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="background-color: #FFFFFF; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
               <tr>
                <td class="slot-styling camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: #FFFFFF; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                  <tr>
                   <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td align="center">
                       <a data-linkto="https://" title="">
                        <img alt="Life Kit - Guide to Zero-Alcohol Month" data-assetid="321636" src="https://inboxflows.com/_/image/https%253A%252F%252Fimage.nl.npr.org%252Flib%252Ffe8e12747761037574%252Fm%252F1%252F165e03ed-e5f7-4a5d-b1de-d6583c777ba9.png/?inbox_flows_img_sig=eyJwYXRoIjoiaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZpbWFnZS5ubC5ucCIsInRpbWUiOjE3NTkyMjMyOTcuMDAxMDMxMn0:1v3WLJ:lkhM1xjoJ64GQcvyOqmaXriz_Pgr4w9jd1skCoW8IN0" style="display: block; padding: 0px; text-align: center; height: auto; width: 100%; border: 0px;" width="600"/>
                       </a>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                   </td>
                  </tr>
                 </table>
                </td>
               </tr>
              </table>
             </td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
             <!-- added padding here -->
             <td class="content_padding" style="border:0px;padding : 10px 20px; ">
              <!-- end of comment -->
              <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
               <tr>
                <td align="left" class="header" valign="top">
                 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                  <tr>
                   <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 5px 0px 0px; ">
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="slot-styling camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                          <div style="text-align: center;">
                           <i>
                            This newsletter was written by Life Kit editor Malaka Gharib.
                           </i>
                           <br/>
                          </div>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 0px 0px 15px; ">
                          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                           <tr>
                            <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                             <div>
                             </div>
                             <div>
                             </div>
                             <div>
                             </div>
                             <div>
                              Have you felt the pressure to drink yet from friends and family at social gatherings?
                              <br/>
                              <br/>
                              This may be one of the biggest challenges you'll face during your no-alcohol month, says Millie Gooch, founder of
                              <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="Sober Girl Society">
                               Sober Girl Society
                              </a>
                              , a U.K.-based support group for sober and sober-curious women.
                              <br/>
                              <br/>
                              When Gooch, a self-described "party girl," stopped drinking for mental health reasons, her friends had a hard time wrapping their heads around it. At outings they'd say, "Come on — have one. Why not? Don't be boring!" she says.
                              <br/>
                              <br/>
                              Gooch, who has been sober for seven years, knows now that this reaction comes from a societal belief that drinking makes you more fun and interesting. She says to combat this, consider having "honest, vulnerable conversations" with your loved ones about why you're taking a break from alcohol, so they know to support you on your journey.
                              <br/>
                              <br/>
                              There are other social conundrums to consider. How do you suggest hangout places other than bars? How do you replace the habit of drinking and the liquid courage it provides?
                              <br/>
                              <br/>
                              Gooch, who has a master's degree in mental health and addiction from London Metropolitan University and is an ambassador of the nonprofit group Alcohol Change UK, shares her best strategies.
                             </div>
                            </td>
                           </tr>
                          </table>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: #9CC7CE; border: 2px solid #9CC7CE; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 10px; ">
                          <div>
                           <i>
                            A quick note: If alcohol use is causing you stress or harm, seek medical advice. There are a variety of treatments, including counseling, medications and support groups, to help people who want to end that dependency. This includes Alcoholics Anonymous, which has helped countless people. This
                            <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="">
                             <b>
                              guide from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
                             </b>
                            </a>
                            <b>
                            </b>
                            can help you find a program that’s right for you
                           </i>
                           <b>
                            .
                           </b>
                          </div>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                          <hr color="#efefef" style="margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:30px; height:1px;"/>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%">
                           <tr>
                            <td align="center">
                             <a data-linkto="https://" title="">
                              <img alt="" data-assetid="319834" src="https://inboxflows.com/_/image/https%253A%252F%252Fimage.nl.npr.org%252Flib%252Ffe8e12747761037574%252Fm%252F1%252F2efe48d8-cc76-4e70-aa58-801cee99f959.jpg/?inbox_flows_img_sig=eyJwYXRoIjoiaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZpbWFnZS5ubC5ucCIsInRpbWUiOjE3NTkyMjMyOTcuMDAxMTkxfQ:1v3WLJ:FTAdJ4e1aUnqGJy8huuDicEplKGsSTwI6r38x-CcCuk" style="display: block; padding: 0px; text-align: center; height: auto; width: 100%; border: 0px;" width="600"/>
                             </a>
                            </td>
                           </tr>
                          </table>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 2px 0px 15px; ">
                          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                           <tr>
                            <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                             <div style="text-align: right;">
                              <span style="color:#666666;">
                               <span style="font-size:11px;">
                                <i>
                                 Beck Harlan/NPR
                                </i>
                               </span>
                              </span>
                             </div>
                            </td>
                           </tr>
                          </table>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 10px 0px 0px; ">
                          <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                           <tr>
                            <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                             <h3 style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                              <span style="color:#2A7079;">
                               <span style="font-size:22px;">
                                👯‍♀️ How to respond when your friends say …
                               </span>
                              </span>
                             </h3>
                            </td>
                           </tr>
                          </table>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                   </td>
                  </tr>
                 </table>
                </td>
               </tr>
               <tr>
                <td align="left" class="" valign="top">
                 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="border: 0px; background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                  <tr>
                   <td class="slot-styling camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <h3 style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                        … "Why aren't you drinking?"
                       </h3>
                       Be direct and honest, Gooch says. Skirting around the reason can make it harder to say no. If you say, "I'm not drinking because I have to drive," a friend may respond: Well, I can call you a cab.
                       <br/>
                       <br/>
                       Instead, try a response like this:
                       <div style="margin-left: 40px;">
                        <br/>
                        <i>
                         <b>
                          I'm taking a break from alcohol because [REASON HERE]. If you could support me, I'd really appreciate it. Because I'm finding it hard to stick to it as it is.
                         </b>
                        </i>
                       </div>
                       <br/>
                       Whatever the reason, whether it's to concentrate on a fitness goal or focus on your mental health, expect a positive and supportive reaction, Gooch says. In most cases, "people are like, 'Yeah, of course! I care about you and I will do whatever.'"
                       <h3 style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                        … "But your drinking isn't really that bad."
                       </h3>
                       <p>
                        Gooch says people often have an "arbitrary threshold" when it comes to defining what it means to have a "drinking problem." Instead of justifying what counts as "bad" drinking habits, focus the conversation on the steps you're taking to better yourself. So you might say:
                       </p>
                       <div style="margin-left: 40px;">
                        <i>
                         <b>
                          I want to get on top of my drinking before it gets on top of me.
                         </b>
                        </i>
                       </div>
                       <br/>
                       "If you see a fire, you're not going to wait for the whole house to burn down to do something about it," Gooch says. "You're identifying the problem, and that's a good thing."
                       <h3 style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                        … "Don't be boring!"
                       </h3>
                       Gooch says the young women she works with at Sober Girl Society worry about this comment a lot. If someone says this to you, use it as an opportunity to unpack their beliefs on why they feel that way, Gooch says. You might say:
                       <br/>
                       <div style="margin-left: 40px;">
                        <i>
                         <b>
                          Why do you think not drinking makes me boring?
                         </b>
                        </i>
                       </div>
                       <br/>
                       If that conversation feels too heavy, you might say something a bit more tongue-in-cheek, Gooch says:
                       <br/>
                       <div style="margin-left: 40px;">
                        <i>
                         <b>
                          Well, I'm finding drinking boring at the moment!
                         </b>
                        </i>
                       </div>
                       <br/>
                       Lastly, if your friends are giving you a hard time about not drinking, ask yourself: "Do you really want to be friends with people who don't like your company when you're not drinking?" Gooch says.
                       <br/>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                   </td>
                  </tr>
                 </table>
                </td>
               </tr>
               <tr>
                <td align="left" class="" valign="top">
                 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px solid transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                  <tr>
                   <td class="slot-styling camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: #9CC7CE; border: 2px solid #9CC7CE; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 10px; ">
                       <div style="text-align: center;">
                        <i>
                         <b id="docs-internal-guid-0d9f721c-7fff-91ef-27d0-b3102fd6529f">
                          Got a friend who might be interested in taking a break from drinking?
                         </b>
                         <b>
                          <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="tell them to sign up">
                           Tell them to sign up
                          </a>
                          for this newsletter.
                         </b>
                        </i>
                       </div>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <hr color="#efefef" style="margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:30px; height:1px;"/>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 10px 0px 0px; ">
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                          <h3 style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                           <span style="color:#2A7079;">
                            <span style="font-size:22px;">
                             The etiquette of sober socializing
                            </span>
                           </span>
                          </h3>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" role="presentation" width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td align="center">
                          <a data-linkto="https://" title="">
                           <img alt="" data-assetid="319897" src="https://inboxflows.com/_/image/https%253A%252F%252Fimage.nl.npr.org%252Flib%252Ffe8e12747761037574%252Fm%252F1%252F60a7b79b-fb17-4bdd-baa5-2c977c32889e.jpg/?inbox_flows_img_sig=eyJwYXRoIjoiaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZpbWFnZS5ubC5ucCIsInRpbWUiOjE3NTkyMjMyOTcuMDAxMzYxOH0:1v3WLJ:4yLKMT8dGw4r4J9hP7WekgVL7b9ducw2MbTht-oOdlw" style="display: block; padding: 0px; text-align: center; height: auto; width: 100%; border: 0px;" width="600"/>
                          </a>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 2px 0px 15px; ">
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner" style="padding: 0px; ">
                          <div>
                           <span style="color:#666666;">
                            <span style="font-size:11px;">
                             <i>
                              Sometimes having a zero-proof beverage in your hand at a gathering can be comforting — and help avert questions like, "Where's your drink?" • Beck Harlan/NPR
                             </i>
                            </span>
                           </span>
                          </div>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <div dir="ltr">
                       </div>
                       <div dir="ltr">
                        <i>
                         Here are solutions to three common obstacles to sticking to your sober goals.
                        </i>
                       </div>
                       <h3 dir="ltr" style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                        <b>
                         My friends always want to meet up at bars, which makes me feel tempted to drink.
                        </b>
                       </h3>
                       <div dir="ltr">
                        Chalk some of that up to laziness, Gooch says. For many folks, meeting up at a bar or club is an easy option. But in her experience, "most people are open to doing something that doesn't revolve around alcohol. They just don't want to organize it because it takes effort."
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        As the person making the big lifestyle change, you've got to take the reins on the planning, Gooch says. You might say, "I don't want to go to a bar, but here's an alternative suggestion."
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        Opting out of drinking "doesn't have to be crazy, fancy or expensive," she says. Go out for brunch, go to a theater show,
                        <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="go for a hike">
                         go for a hike
                        </a>
                        , throw a
                        <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="little dinner party">
                         little dinner party
                        </a>
                        in your home. "I've seen people on TikTok create their own
                        <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="at-home coffee shop">
                         at-home coffee shop
                        </a>
                        ."
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        If you need more ideas, check out these Life Kit episodes:
                       </div>
                       <ul dir="ltr">
                        <li>
                         <b>
                          <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="How to have cheap fun ">
                           How to have cheap fun
                          </a>
                         </b>
                        </li>
                        <li>
                         <b>
                          <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="Make soup together ">
                           Make soup together
                          </a>
                         </b>
                        </li>
                        <li>
                         <b>
                          <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="Bake a pretty pie">
                           Bake a pretty pie
                          </a>
                         </b>
                        </li>
                        <li>
                         <b>
                          <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="Watch movies together">
                           Watch movies together
                          </a>
                         </b>
                        </li>
                       </ul>
                       <h3 dir="ltr" style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                        <b>
                         It feels awkward not drinking at social functions.
                        </b>
                       </h3>
                       <div dir="ltr">
                        Go ahead and order a nonalcoholic drink. Having something to sip as you mingle can mimic the ritual and habit of drinking alcohol, Gooch says. "People also like the comfort of having something in their hand at a social event." It may even help avert comments like "Where's your drink?"
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        Wondering what to order at that work happy hour? Denise Hamilton-Mace, a former bartender and the founder of
                        <i>
                         <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="Low No Drinker">
                          Low No Drinker
                         </a>
                        </i>
                        , a U.K.-based magazine about mindful drinking, shares ideas of what you can ask the bartender to mix for you. (Our next email has mocktail recipes you can try at home, so sit tight!)
                       </div>
                       <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 40px;">
                        <b>
                         🍋 Club soda with lemon, lime and bitters (note: bitters do contain alcohol but are used in small amounts for flavor)
                         <br/>
                         💮 Elderflower cordial and sparkling water
                         <br/>
                         🥤 Nonalcoholic Moscow mule (ginger beer, club soda and fresh lime juice)
                         <br/>
                         🫚 Gunner (ginger ale, ginger beer, lime juice and bitters)
                        </b>
                       </div>
                       <div dir="ltr">
                        <br/>
                        If you're worried about your ability to be a social butterfly without the alcohol, "come up with question prompts in advance," Gooch says. "One of the reasons I drank was because I felt like it helped the conversation flow. So having topics up your sleeve that you can talk to people about is a good option." (Need more
                        <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="tips on how to be a good conversationalist">
                         tips on how to be a good conversationalist
                        </a>
                        ? Check out this Life Kit episode.)
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        Also, remember to be patient with yourself. Socializing without alcohol may feel awkward at first. You may feel more anxiety, a little less relaxed, until you get the hang of it. Give yourself time, and don't worry if you have an "off" night.
                       </div>
                       <h3 dir="ltr" style="color:#333333;font-family:Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.15;">
                        <b>
                         They're making me feel guilty about not going out.
                        </b>
                       </h3>
                       <div dir="ltr">
                       </div>
                       <div dir="ltr">
                        If all else fails, opt out. You don't have to go to that party, said David Dorschu, then-CEO of Recovery Centers of America at Raritan Bay in South Amboy, N.J., in
                        <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="a 2021 interview">
                         a 2021 interview
                        </a>
                        with NPR's Brian Mann. You can say no and stay home. "Keeping yourself in a safe place is the priority."
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        Remember, you don't owe anyone a drink, and it's OK to turn down that invite and make time for yourself, Mann wrote.
                       </div>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <hr color="#efefef" style="margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:30px; height:1px;"/>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <p dir="ltr">
                       </p>
                       <p dir="ltr">
                        When in doubt, keep things simple. If you're offered alcohol and don't want to drink, a short and polite "no, thank you" will suffice, said Dr. Tyler Oesterle, an addiction specialist at the Mayo Clinic, in
                        <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="a 2021 NPR interview">
                         a 2021 NPR interview
                        </a>
                        .
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        Cheers (with a zero-proof grapefruit paloma!)
                        <br/>
                        Malaka
                        <br/>
                        <br/>
                        <i>
                         P.S. We'd love to hear from you as you go through your no-alcohol month. Email us at
                         <b>
                          <a alias="lifekit@npr.org" conversion="false" data-linkto="mailto:" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" title="lifekit@npr.org">
                           lifekit@npr.org
                          </a>
                         </b>
                         if you have thoughts or questions. An
                        </i>
                        <i data-stringify-type="italic">
                         d join the conversation on Instagram at
                        </i>
                        <b>
                         <i data-stringify-type="italic">
                          <a data-linkto="https://" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-stringify-link="https://www.instagram.com/nprlifekit" delay="150" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#2A7079;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" title="">
                           @NPRLifeKit
                          </a>
                         </i>
                        </b>
                        <i data-stringify-type="italic">
                         .
                        </i>
                       </p>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <hr color="#efefef" style="margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:30px; height:1px;"/>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                       <i>
                        This newsletter was created with NPR reporting from Brian Mann. This newsletter was edited by Malaka Gharib, Emily Barocas, Beth Donovan, Meghan Keane and Preeti Aroon. The visual editor is Beck Harlan.
                       </i>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                   </td>
                  </tr>
                 </table>
                </td>
               </tr>
               <tr>
                <td align="left" class="" valign="top">
                 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                  <tr>
                   <td class="stylingblock-content-margin-cell" style="padding: 10px 0px; ">
                    <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="slot-styling" role="presentation" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                     <tr>
                      <td class="slot-styling camarker-inner" style="padding: 10px 0px; ">
                       <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="stylingblock-content-wrapper" role="presentation" style="min-width: 100%; " width="100%">
                        <tr>
                         <td class="stylingblock-content-wrapper camarker-inner">
                          <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                           <tr>
                            <td align="center" valign="top" width="100%">
                             <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="container" width="600">
                              <tr>
                               <td align="center" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: #959595; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.5;">
                                <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
                                 <tr>
                                  <td align="center" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; color: #959595; padding: 20px; line-height: 1.5;">
                                   This email was sent by:
                                   <b>
                                    National Public Radio
                                   </b>
                                   <br/>
                                   1111 North Capitol Street NE Washington, DC, 20002, US
                                   <br/>
                                  </td>
                                 </tr>
                                </table>
                                <p>
                                 If you have any questions, please
                                 <a data-linkto="https://" style="color:#3030CE;text-decoration:none;" title="Footer: Help Desk">
                                  submit a help ticket here
                                 </a>
                                 .
                                </p>
                                <strong>
                                 <a data-linkto="//" style="color:#5d5d5d;text-decoration:underline;" title="Unsubcribe from Series">
                                  Unsubscribe
                                 </a>
                                 |
                                 <a style="color: #5d5d5d; text-decoration: underline;" title="">
                                  Update Preferences
                                 </a>
                                 |
                                 <a style="color: #5d5d5d; text-decoration: underline; line-height: 6px;" title="NPR Privacy Policy">
                                  Privacy Policy
                                 </a>
                                </strong>
                                <br/>
                               </td>
                              </tr>
                             </table>
                            </td>
                           </tr>
                          </table>
                         </td>
                        </tr>
                       </table>
                      </td>
                     </tr>
                    </table>
                   </td>
                  </tr>
                 </table>
                </td>
               </tr>
              </table>
             </td>
            </tr>
           </table>
          </td>
         </tr>
         <tr>
          <td style="text-align:center;">
           <div>
           </div>
          </td>
         </tr>
        </table>
       </td>
      </tr>
     </table>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td valign="top">
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
 </body>
</html>