When Americans began stocking up for the pandemic in March, alcohol sales went up dramatically, including over 50% for boxed wines. But the only alcohol that will be of any help during the coronavirus pandemic is that in your hand sanitizer.
As shoppers jumped the shelves in mid-March, their panic buying wasn't limited to toilet paper or eggs. Wine and spirits saw a 25%+ increase in sales, beers and ciders went up by 15% compared to the week before. A lot of it is surely stockpiling, prompted by uncertainty over public safety.
But, ironically, enjoying alcohol consumption is one of the things to strongly avoid during the stay-at-home period we're going through. Sure, in the short term alcohol is a mood booster and helps relieve the unprecedented stress we're all facing. But keep in mind, in a matter of days its consumption actually brings your mood down. It can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and loneliness, while also disrupting sleep patterns.
