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Friday, September 5, 2008

Please don't split that bottle, Mommy!

A UK government health study (done by the governments "Know Your Limits" alcohol campaign) found that -- get this! -- stress leads people to drink. Amazing.

But look, that's the usual waste of government money to learn something every frickin' idiot on the planet already knows; nothing to see here. It's the follow-up statement that just killed me.

Experts said if a couple shared a bottle of wine they would both be put over the recommended daily limit. Siobhan Freegard, of Netmums, said, "The extent to which this research showed modern moms are drinking really surprised us. It shows many moms and dads are developing a 'bottle a night' habit without really thinking about the health consequences. Getting used to juggling work and home life again after the summer break can be stressful for parents, but it's important not to allow yourself to slip back into the routine of relying on alcohol to help you unwind."

Dr. Sarah Jarvis, with the Home Office and Department of Health "Know Your Limits" campaign noted, "If you're returning to work, turning to the bottle can actually increase your stress levels. Try exercise or a nice warm bath to unwind instead."


Does this woman have any idea how risky the bathtub is? No, seriously, what really sent me round the bend was referring to splitting a bottle of wine with your spouse as "turning to the bottle." Get serious. It's bluenoses like this who make me wonder how we'll ever get anywhere on the truly serious problems of alcohol abuse. This is like calling for a crackdown on speeders who are two MPH over the limit.

8 comments:

Steve D. said...

God forbid you actually take the time to sit down together and share a drink you enjoy with a loved one!

Steven said...

I wonder if they published this report for the French or Italians?

Dan said...

This completely ignores the health benefits of having 1-2 drinks per day...

MyBeer Buzz said...

Wait drinking relieves stress?

Guess I'll have to try harder. You think they'd encourage couples to stay home, have a beverage and talk...

Anonymous said...

Doesn't anybody in England work in the summer??? Having an entire summer off would surely stress me out. Must be nice.

Unknown said...

In the US...most bottles of wine are 750ml...that's 24oz, right? Only 12oz per person.

Is this also the common bottle size in the UK?

Lew Bryson said...

Rebecca, the 'summer off' thing was about the additional stress parents feel when the kids head back to school; a very real thing, as I can attest to lately.

Not sure what typical wine bottles are in the UK: typical whisky bottles are 700 ml, instead of our 750 ml.

Matthew: said...

Until you have lived in England for a year, you cannot understand just how needed a report like this is there. There are no bluenoses in Blighty and when they say one bottle, most people are probably drinking two or three. Maybe more.