- Improved mental health. If you think you might have a drinking problem, then you’ll know that alcohol can have a negative effect on your mental health. Alcohol can contribute to the development of mental health problems or exacerbate existing problems. Drinking when you’re stressed or anxious can make the problem worse. If drinking makes you feel low, cut back on how much you drink.
- Better physical health for the long-term. One of the benefits of giving up alcohol reducing your risk of developing serious health issues, such as heart or liver disease or cancer. Drinking less can also help to lower your blood pressure. You might not see the improvements immediately, but you will get to enjoy the benefits later on in life.
- A healthier appearance. Alcohol is very high in calories. For example, an average beer is around 162 calories a pint, so drinking five beers adds 1000 calories to your diet. Alcohol is also often very high in sugar, and it can dehydrate your body. This contributes to dull skin and weight gain. By cutting back, you can have an easier time maintaining a healthy weight and appearance.
The so-called Asian glow, or alcohol flush reaction, results from a genetic intolerance to alcohol. Approximately 50 percent of people with Chinese, Korean and Japanese ancestry experience alcohol flush reaction while drinking because of an inherited genetic mutation. As a result, there is a deficiency in a key enzyme needed to break down alcohol. Not only would reducing your alcohol help your physical health but could also assist towards an asian blush cure.
- More energy. Alcohol can have an impact on how well you sleep. You may find it easier to drop off to sleep, but your sleep quality will be poorer and you’re more likely to be restless in the night. This leaves you will less energy the next day. Even a small amount of alcohol can have a negative impact on your sleep, so try to cut back to keep your energy levels high.
- Save money. Alcohol can soon add up, even if you’re only having a couple of drinks after work. Use an online tool to count up how much you’re spending on alcohol in an average week. Seeing that number might shock you. Instead of buying drinks, save that money for a great holiday or another treat that you wouldn’t usually be able to afford.
- Improved relationships. Alcohol can affect the choices we make, and thanks to lowered inhibitions, we can make decisions we wouldn’t do usually. This can lead to poor choices, like phoning ex-partners, arguing with your friends or causing friction with family members. Cut back on your drinking and see if you find it easier to get on with people and spend less time apologizing for ill-thought-out words and actions.
- Avoid dependancy. If a close family member has a history of alcohol independence or addiction, this can increase your own risk of becoming reliant on it. To avoid this happening, keep your consumption of alcohol to a minimum. This can give you peace of mind too if you’re worried about alcoholism.
- Avoid interactions with medications. Many medications should not be taken with alcohol, but lots of us decide to risk it. This is a very bad idea. Alcohol can combine with other drugs and either stop them from working correctly or increase your risks of overdose. If you are on any medication, check with your GP whether it is safe to drink. If the answer is no, don’t risk it. Even if the answer is yes, try to drink less and pay close attention to how you feel, just in case.
- Avoid alcohol-related injuries. If adolescents drink a lot of alcohol, this can disrupt their brain development, which then affects their capacity to learn and make good decisions. Injuries can happen to older people too as alcohol can make us clumsy and more prone to falls, tripping over or bumping into things. Drink less to stop waking up with a mysterious bruise you can’t remember getting the night before.
If you do choose to drink alcohol, it’s important to know how much you’re drinking. Pay attention to how many units you typically consume and know your personal limits. You can enjoy alcohol without drinking to excess, and cutting back even a little bit can really improve your health and wellbeing without having an impact on your social life. If you’re worried about your alcohol consumption however and think you may need help to give back, seek professional support to make giving up easier.
Mandy X
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Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
