It helps to get clear about the goal of making it a habit, said Wakeman, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
“The research we have on goal setting says that goals are more likely to be met when they’re really relevant to you as an individual, rather than abstract like ‘I should stop drinking because alcohol is bad,'” she said.
Specific goals like new sleeping habits or an exercise program would make it easier to give up drinking, she said.
“I really want to stop drinking because I know that if I drink a lot the next morning I won’t get up and exercise,” said Wakeman.
Additional motivation can come from the health benefits you can get by reducing or not consuming alcohol, experts say.
“Drinking less over time can have real measurable health benefits in terms of your blood pressure, risk of cancer, risk of liver disease, and other conditions,” said Wakeman.
“Over the course of a month, you may notice some short-term benefits, such as better sleep, better complexion due to improvements in your skin, clearer feeling, and more energy,” she added.