5 Huge Benefits Gained by Taking a Break From Alcohol by Paul Goodman Dec, 2022 AINYFAlcohol is NOT Your Friend

Alcohol withdrawal can result in nausea, headaches, and restlessness, so an alcohol break that extends past any potential withdrawal period means you’ll start to feel physically better overall. Taking a long enough break from alcohol to restore the body’s natural sleep rhythm could make a big difference in your mental clarity and function. Breaks from work, the daily grind, and even our kids are all necessary to promote overall well-being and prevent burnout. At some point along the way, you might have also taken a break from meat or sugar to rebalance gut health or given up social media and streaming in an effort to give your mind a break. There’s really no right or wrong way to quit drinking, but these strategies can get you started on a solid path.

• Alcohol and heavy drinking can cause long-term, negative impacts on the brain, including poor memory and slower reflexes.
• The irony of alcohol is that we often drink to feel relaxed, to tamp down anxiety.
• Alcohol withdrawal can result in nausea, headaches, and restlessness, so an alcohol break that extends past any potential withdrawal period means you’ll start to feel physically better overall.
• Trade a Bad Habit for a Good One– Trying to rewire years of conditioning is hard.
• Taking a break in this situation can be a way of regaining control of your life.

No matter how you slice it, going three weeks without alcohol can benefit your physical and mental well-being. The benefits to taking a break from alcohol are clear, but let’s be real — staying sober can be hard, even if you’re not an alcoholic. As a sometimes sober resident of New Orleans, potentially the drinking capital of the universe, I know exactly how difficult it can be. When you’re not drinking alcohol, Podesta notes, you’re also not drinking all the other things that are in alcoholic beverages. “Not only do have alcohol in them,” she says, “but they also have a lot of empty calories and sugars in them. It’s no secret that drinking alcohol can harm your health, especially if you happen to indulge in your favorite bottle of red or white wine, craft beer, and Pinterest-worthy cocktails on a regular basis.

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Over a period of years, I went from an occasional drinker to someone who drank every evening at home and at virtually every social event that I attended. It might take a little time to get there, depending on how often you drink and how much, but feeling physically better will come after all of the toxins are out of your system. Even if you don’t experience these symptoms and just want some extra help, it’s worth reaching out. “If you find that you are trying to stop repeatedly without success, getting professional help from a therapist or outpatient program may give you the best chance of wide-reaching recovery,” adds Mehta. This can be especially important if you experience withdrawal symptoms upon trying to quit, says Stewart. It’s OK — and, in fact, very normal — if you’re feeling ambivalent about changing your relationship with alcohol, says Ellinwood.

• It’s important to remember that you have the power to choose,” she adds.
• Here’s a resource to navigate all the kinds of help and treatment options out there.
• Nicole Lee works as a consultant in the alcohol and other drug sector and a psychologist in private practice.
• Initially, and for sometime afterward, alcohol may seem to enhance certain experiences.
• For instance, a beer can have about150 calories, a glass of pinot noir would have about120 calories, and a frozen pina colada can have about245 calories.
• Research even shows staying off the sauce for 30 days can actually make you feel more satisfied with life and more motivated and confident in your own abilities.

In our alcohol-centric society, it sometimes feels uncomfortable when everyone around you is drinking and your own hands are empty. Choose a healthier alternative like sparkling water, soft drink or a mocktail. You might hear psychologists refer to something called the “rule violation effect”. This is when you’re working hard to not drink, but one day give in and have a glass of wine or two, then give up on your goals altogether. It’s also a good way to communicate to your friends your choice to quit drinking, so they can better support you.

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“Most of the dermatological conditions that are worsened by heavy drinking will slowly normalize over time after cutting out alcohol,” Dr. Genebriera says. Exactly how much time may vary according to the condition and the individual. One thing that many listeners who’ve tried a dry January — or any break from alcohol — told us is that their friends didn’t really “get it.” “Why, why, why,” people told us they were asked. What many people don’t realize is that alcohol produces a toxic effect on the body.

Some taking a break from alcoholers convince themselves that they need alcohol to get to sleep. However, while boozing can make people fall into an unconscious state, this isn’t the same as proper sleep and leads to inadequate rest.

Huge Benefits Gained by Taking a Break From Alcohol

https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the exact steps she used to change her relationship with alcohol. Discover how the brain works, the real reason you crave a drink, the key to changing your desire, and how to decide what’s right for you. Andy is co-founder of the habit-changing program One Year No Beer that invites people to try 28, 90 or 365 days alcohol free. He believes it’s possible to become the most productive, present and healthiest version of yourself just by making this one change. Find out about Own Your Limits, which helps you learn how to drink alcohol responsibly. If you take a break from drinking, look at how much cash you’ll save— it could easily be hundreds!

According to slumber specialists, such as the English neuroscientist Matt Walker, sleep is our “superpower” . It enables our bodies and brains to rejuvenate, supplying us with increased energy, as well as helping us to physically heal, recover from illness, solve problems, deal with stress, and consolidate memories. If you’re a daily boozer, you can become so used to operating at a compromised level, that you don’t even realize or remember what it’s like to be firing on all cylinders. “Excessive alcohol use can cause blood sugar fluctuations and dehydration that might leave you feeling shaky or lightheaded,” explains Mehta. If you’ve thought about it and want to try sobriety, for a brief period of time or for who-knows-how-long, getting started can be simpler than you think. If you’re taking part in an event like FebFast, encourage your friends and family to sponsor you. Not only will it be good for the charity you are supporting, but it can make you more accountable.