A drink every now and then never hurt anyone, or that's what we all like to think. But being “sober and curious” is more popular than ever as we learn more and more about the long-term risks of alcohol.

Whether you're looking to challenge yourself, save money, or stop your partner from snoring, giving up alcohol could improve your life beyond the next morning.

Short-term benefits of quitting alcohol

1. Better relaxation and sleep

While a drink at night can help us fall asleep, alcohol actually disrupts the cycle and quality of sleep. Alcohol is a depressant: it relaxes you and at first you can fall asleep quickly. But then comes the “rebound”.

After a few hours of sleep, you will begin to feel restless and may have vivid, stressful dreams. Alcohol (at any level) significantly delays and reduces the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep.

This is the type of dream where you process all your learnings and memories. Therefore, without adequate REM sleep, you may have difficulty concentrating, absorbing new information, or be more forgetful than usual.

If you drink more than 14 units per week (that's about 6 pints of beer, 6 medium glasses of wine or 14 shots of spirits), you'll probably wake up feeling like you haven't rested at all.

Alcohol is believed to increase sleep apnea episodes by approximately 25%. 5 Over time, sleep apnea can contribute to depression, raise blood pressure, and dangerously affect breathing.

Whether it's due to REM sleep disturbance, sleep apnea, needing to go to the bathroom, or something else, you're also likely to wake up more during the night. Fortunately, you will see improvements quickly when you reduce your beverage consumption.

If you have difficulty falling asleep without alcohol, practicing good sleep hygiene can help you establish healthy habits for a proper night's rest.

Many people find that a sleep-friendly bedtime routine helps their brain relax. Try sitting down to take a bath or read a book and minimize distractions if you can.

You may also find that a supplement can help you relax after a long day. Try natural remedies that contain L-theanine, an amino acid commonly found in tea leaves. It is known to help you relax, focus and sleep, so you'll get all the calm of a good cup of tea without the effect of caffeine.

2. Healthier skin

Have you ever seen yourself after a hard night? Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it promotes water loss through urine. (This is why it seems like you need to go to the bathroom all the time when you drink; actually, you do . )

Dehydrated skin looks dull and can be prone to wrinkles much sooner than healthy, hydrated skin.

Cutting back on alcohol means you won't waste that precious water and are more likely to wake up looking fresh.

Your skin is made up of 64% water, so it's no surprise that it suffers when you drink.

3. More energy

Needless to say, better quality sleep will help you feel more refreshed the next day. But there are other benefits of quitting alcohol that contribute to higher energy levels:

• You are less likely to feel the “brain fog” of dehydration
• You may be less inclined to snack on simple carbohydrate-rich foods that make you feel sluggish.
• You won't have to come home in the wee hours of the morning anymore! You can absolutely have fun on a night out without alcohol, but your natural sleep cycle can kick in and help you get to bed on time.

Long-term benefits of stopping drinking alcohol

1. You may find it easier to control your weight

A lower weight isn't necessarily a healthier weight, but cutting out alcohol can help us make smarter choices about the foods we eat.

You may find that you're ready for a snack after having a drink in the evening, even if you've just eaten. Or maybe you can't resist the smell of 3am French fries (you're not the only one).

These are all fine in moderation, but the fatty, carbohydrate-rich foods that alcohol makes us crave can lead to poor nutrition and potentially unhealthy weight gain over time.

Plus, your drinks may contain more calories than you think. Just one pint of beer contains approximately 10% of the recommended caloric intake for a woman and 12.5% ​​of that for a man.

Getting sober can reduce the calories you drink and help control hangover cravings.

2. You will save money

The average person spends €378 on alcohol each year. And if you're a frequent partier or love a glass of wine in the evening, it could be even more so.

More and more of us are forced to cut costs right now, but see if you can put some of your savings toward a reward for your efforts.

Plus, you can still enjoy the atmosphere of a pub or a party (if you're comfortable)... just with a fresh head and a little extra change in your pocket.

3. Lower risk of chronic diseases

Your brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and nervous system are at risk if you drink too much over a long period of time.

Excessive drinking also increases cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

What's more, alcohol abuse can exacerbate existing conditions and weaken the immune system, making you more likely to feel unwell and stay sick.

Controlling alcohol consumption, or eliminating it completely, is just another way to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce your risk of life-altering diseases.

Conclusion

In addition to helping you challenge yourself, cutting back on alcohol could:

• Help you sleep better
• Moisturize your skin
• Improve your diet
• Give you a feeling of achievement
• Save money
• Reduce your risk of serious illness

You could reduce or reduce your alcohol consumption by:

• Find alcohol-free swaps for your favorites
• Enjoy a “sober night” with friends
• Raise money for charities in one movement

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Consult your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements should not be used as substitutes for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Sources

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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/sleep-newzzz/201708/what-you-need-know-about-l-theanine

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