Tag Archives: without alcohol

Perks of Giving up Alcohol for Good: Sobriety Perks

Perks of Giving up Alcohol for Good: Sobriety Perks

While the thought of giving up alcohol might seem overwhelming to some people, doing so can offer numerous long-term benefits. Some sobriety perks include such things as better sleep, better skin and hair, and a reduction of risk for such conditions as diabetes, cancer, liver disease and others. You may also enjoy better relationships with your friends and family. If you are thinking about giving up alcohol, it may be easier when you think about the sobriety perks that you will enjoy instead of focusing on not being able to drink.

Sleep More Without Alcohol

Drinking alcohol disrupts your sleep. In one study that was published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, a peer-reviewed journal, the researchers found that people who drink alcohol before they go to sleep show an increase in alpha waves. Alpha waves are most common when people are awake but in a resting state. This means that your sleep is disrupted. A meta-analysis of 27 studies of alcohol’s effect on sleep found that while alcohol might help people to fall asleep faster initially, it causes them to toss and turn at night and interferes with their REM sleep. This results in fatigue, lower concentration and problems with focusing during the day. When you give up alcohol, you can look forward to better sleep, less fatigue and a better ability to concentrate during the day.

Without Alcohol Your Hair and Skin will Shine

Since alcohol is a diuretic, it can cause you to become dehydrated easily. This may also cause your skin to become less hydrated, leading to complexion problems. When you give up alcohol, you’ll notice that your skin looks fuller and less dry. Ruddiness around your nose and on your cheeks may also fade, and other skin issues may improve. your hair is also likely to improve. It may become shinier and fuller when you give up alcohol for good.

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perks of giving up alcohol

Lessen the Risk of Disease When You Give up Drinking

A huge benefit of giving up alcohol is that you can enjoy substantially lower risks of developing certain diseases. The National Cancer Institute reports that quitting drinking can reduce your risk of developing seven different types of cancer. In a study that was reported in the National Institutes of Health’s Report on Carcinogens, 19,500 cancer deaths in 2009 were alcohol-related, which accounted for 3.5 percent of the total.

In addition to reducing your risk of cancer, quitting alcohol can also help to reduce your risk of diabetes and liver disease. Your liver is responsible for processing liver. When people drink too much alcohol, the liver is unable to keep up and stores glucose as fat. If you have a fatty liver, stopping drinking may allow it to heal so that you can lower your risk of developing liver disease or cirrhosis. Moderate amounts of alcohol may cause your blood sugar to rise while excessive amounts of alcohol may cause it to fall dangerously. This may raise your risk of developing diabetes. Quitting drinking can help you to get your blood sugar under control.

Relationships Improve Without Alcohol

There is no question that alcohol can negatively impact relationships with your family and friends. When you quit drinking, you can concentrate on rebuilding these relationships. Remaining sober may help you to learn how to deal with disappointments and stress in a healthier way.

Lose Weight When You Give Up Alcohol

A great benefit of quitting drinking is that you may find that you lose excess weight almost effortlessly. There are quite a few calories in alcohol. When you stop drinking, you give up those excess calories. As long as you don’t replace the calories with desserts or snacks, you may begin to lose the excess weight that you have wanted to for a long time.

More Money When You’re Not Buying Alcohol

Drinking costs a lot of money, especially if you have been a moderate or heavy drinker or have indulged in expensive liqueurs or wines. Sitting down with a calculator and a pen and paper can be eye-opening. Tally up how much you drank each day both at home and while you were out and look at the cost. It can be very motivating for most people to remain sober when they see exactly how much their former alcohol use cost them each month. A fun thing to do is to put the money that you used to spend on alcohol in your savings and reward yourself for your sobriety with a fun trip.

Embracing sobriety for the long term may seem like a daunting idea, but you may enjoy numerous benefits when you do. Keep reminding yourself of these sobriety perks, and make certain to talk to people in your support network when you experience cravings. Soon, you will be on your way to a healthier and happier life that is alcohol-free.

Sources
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acer.12621/abstract

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet#q2

http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/twelfth/profiles/AlcoholicBeverageConsumption.pdf

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/drinking-alcohol

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, Without the Alcohol

stpsdaySt. Patrick’s Day can present a challenge to those who are working hard to stay sober, as the temptation to drink seems to be all around. Many people who do not drink ignore the holiday, but what if you want to celebrate Irish culture without the alcohol?

Here are some tips and tricks to help you continue your sobriety during this “drinking-centric” holiday.

Seek out support – Whether you prefer an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting (or two), an online meeting, a call to a friend or supporter, etc., do what you need to do to stave off any pressure to pick up a drink. Surviving St. Patrick’s Day sober can be a struggle, so it is important to find encouragement and strength during this time.

Host your own celebration – Being in control of your surroundings is helpful so skip the parties where you know there will be drinking and invite friends and family over for a party of your own, sans alcohol.

…Or attend a local sober celebration, if available.

Don’t get pinched – Traditionally, shamrocks were worn on a gentleman’s lapel to commemorate the holiday. Whether you are into classic trends, everything green and made of glitter, or a complete leprechaun costume, make sure you’re wearing green or prepare to face the consequences!

Enjoy some proper Irish food – What’s better than Corned Beef and Cabbage? Turning the leftovers into Corned Beef Hash for breakfast. Traditional Irish meals include a potato dish called Boxty, Shepherd’s Pie, and Irish Soda Bread. Not much of a cook? A box of Lucky Charms will do!

Be Irish for a day – Whether you’re of Irish descent or not, you can practice your Irish accent, learn a few sassy gaelic phrases or take an Irish step-dancing lesson.

Kick back with a film – The Secret of Kells is a beautifully animated movie for all ages. And it’s an Academy Award Nominee. Not into cartoons? There’s always Riverdance.

Know your history – Did you know that the color originally associated with St. Patrick is blue? Watch History Channel videos about St. Patrick’s Day or read up on his life and the history of the holiday here. SPOILER: He wasn’t Irish.

Indulge in some green sweets – Make green St. Patrick’s Day “mocktails” or use heart-shaped cake pans to form a traditional three-leafed shamrock.

St. Patrick’s Day does not have to be a speed bump in your recovery. With a little bit of planning and imagination, you can still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a fun and sober way. Try to be aware of your triggers and stay away from them. If you feel the urge to drink, stay strong and call a sponsor or trusted friend for support.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day from Desert Cove Recovery!