Sober curious

Gen Zers have a reputation for stirring the pot of societal norms.

Their relationship with booze is one of those differentiators — Gen Z is much less interested in getting crunked. Studies cite that the younger generation's lower consumption rates are likely a response to the health and safety issues tied to drinking, whether those are learned through #SoberTok, personal experience, or something else. Those that are “sober curious” are also likely to consider their mental health. Research by Google showed that 41% of Gen Zers associate alcohol with “vulnerability,” “anxiety,” and even “abuse.”

It’s not just Gen Z interested in passing on the next drink though. Nearly half of US adults are interested in cutting back, and European countries and Australians have also seen a decline in youth drinking.

An app to cut back: This is not about the Prohibition 2.0. Many people simply want to build healthier habits and be mindful of drinking. Sunnyside is a new app that’s all about it. It includes tools to help you cut back without the pressure to quit, such as:

• Drink tracking in the app or by text
• Data and insights into your habits (including gains like more sleep)
• Community support
• Chat with real-life coaches

Low stakes: According to Sunnyside founder, Nick Allen, “fewer than 2% of drinkers take proactive action to change their drinking habits.” The hope is that serving those who want to cut back, not quit cold turkey, will help more people. You can test it out yourself with the app’s Dry January Challenge. Participants can choose how they want to participate, whether that’s only drinking on weekend, reducing consumption by 50%, or something else.

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