We Brits love a drink. That’s not a good or bad thing, it just is. Yet years of medical research has shown us that alcohol does have short- and long-term effects on the body. Similarly, giving up alcohol affects the body too.
Just by giving up drinking for three short months, you could do your body a world of good. And if you manage to get through three months, why not stop drinking altogether? The long-term health benefits of going dry might even outweigh what you most enjoy about drinking.
Before going any further, it’s important to note that stopping completely could be risky if you show the signs of alcohol dependence. If this is the case, please see your doctor before trying to stop. He or she can help you develop a safe and effective programme for reducing your alcohol intake or otherwise advise you on your best course of action.
Better Sleep, More Energy
One of the first things most people notice when they stop drinking is that they sleep better. Unfortunately, regular alcohol consumption interrupts sleep patterns. For example, drinking alcohol just before bed might help you fall asleep more quickly. But just a couple or so hours later, the sedative effect wears off and you begin to wake. You ultimately get less deep sleep, waking in the morning feeling tired and sluggish.
That will all stop when you stop drinking. Additionally, getting better sleep also means you will have more energy throughout the day. And of course, better sleep offers a whole host of additional health benefits.
Potential Weight Loss
Though losing weight is not guaranteed when you stop drinking, there is a good chance that you could drop a few pounds. Why? Alcohol is high in calories, more specifically empty calories. These are calories from which your body doesn’t derive any nutritional benefit. Excess drinking results in excess calories that only make it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
Giving up alcohol means fewer empty calories in your diet. As long as you don’t substitute with another high-calorie food or drink, giving up alcohol should allow you to lose weight.
Healthier Looking Skin
Regular drink can cause your skin to look dull and dry for the simple fact that alcohol causes dehydration. Some people notice healthier looking skin within a short time after cutting out the alcohol.
Long-Term Benefits of Stopping
If the short-term benefits of going dry are not enough to motivate you, consider the long-term benefits as well. According to Drinkaware, alcohol consumption has been linked to at least seven different kinds of cancer. These include both mouth and breast cancer. Cutting alcohol from your diet reduces your risks of getting cancer.
There is also the liver to think about. The liver has to process alcohol whenever you drink. Unfortunately, alcohol can damage the liver over time. Regular alcohol consumption certainly increases the risk of developing liver diseases, like cirrhosis. Drinkaware cites data suggesting that alcohol contributes to as many as 25% of the deaths caused by liver disease every year.
You can protect your liver and greatly reduce the chances of liver disease by cutting out alcohol. You can also reduce the risks of heart disease, hypertension, and sexual dysfunction.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink every now and again. But there is also nothing wrong with abstaining from drink. Alcohol is just one of many options you have for consuming beverages. Why not consider going dry just for three months and see how it goes?
You may discover that you feel a lot better for doing so. Then maybe those three months will turn into a lifetime.