At least 52% of Americans say that they want to drink less or not at all. So instead of feeling like an odd man out, think of being the leader and influencing others. Most people are drinking more than the recommended level of alcohol and many say they would like to drink less or not at all. Until you try being alcohol-free, you won’t know if you feel better without it. Dry January was the permission she needed to try life without alcohol without fear of judgment from her peers. This gave her the freedom to do and try other things.
Surround yourself with people who support you
Sober Curious, by Ruby Warrington, is perfect for this. The book explores the idea of questioning our drinking habits and the benefits of trying https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/diabetes-and-alcohol-can-diabetics-get-drunk/ out an alcohol-free lifestyle, even if just for a while. In today’s digital age, our worldview is heavily influenced by social media.
Benefits of being sober curious
The researchers also suggest that alcohol may reduce hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations, or blood glucose levels. A person with diabetes is likely to have an HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher. benefits of living alcohol free To better reflect short-term and habitual alcohol consumption and its effects, future studies need to use more reliable measurements of alcohol exposure rather than self-reported intake.
- It’s a universally achievable goal which will give you the mental confidence to stay alcohol free and will act as the momentum for positive behaviour change.
- Make the most of your day – and say Hello Sunday Morning!
- One study found that around 70% of participants had sleep problems when they were admitted for alcohol treatment.
- The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey.
- Relationships, finances, productivity, and overall quality of life also stand to improve greatly without alcohol interference.
You’ll be healthier.
Serve mocktails in proper glassware (i.e. in a wine glass or lowball glass), rim glasses when called for, and garnish your drinks. The more a drink looks like a cocktail, the less you and others will think otherwise – no one will question what’s in your drink (except maybe to ask you for a recipe!). It can deepen relationships through more genuine connections, although it may also challenge relationships where alcohol is a central activity. Living alcohol-free reveals who shares your values and is there for the right reasons.
What is sober-curious?
Without this disruption to your central nervous system, your blood pressure and heart rate can remain stable as you rest. Alcohol can affect your brain function by impairing the communication between neurons, which can lead to short-term memory loss. Excessive alcohol consumption, especially over an extended period of time, can begin to alter your brain structure. This can cause more severe long-term memory loss and impact your ability to learn new things. Reducing the amount of alcohol you drink can help keep your brain function healthy and your memory sharp.
Because he is a member of a support group that stresses the importance of anonymity at the public level, he does not use his photograph or his real name on this website. “While for some people these structural changes are not reversible, most people are able to show less shrinkage in one to three months with alcohol abstinence,” says Volpicelli. One study found that around 70% of participants had sleep problems when they were admitted for alcohol treatment. That number dropped to 50% when the participants went home, and many reported that their sleep quality got better after treatment.
What happens to your body after 7 days of no alcohol?
- As sobriety reshapes priorities and perspectives, aligning with like-minded people feels most genuine.
- But you mentioned stopping being numb and having all the emotions come up.
- By giving up alcohol, you will give your body a chance to heal.
- As sobriety reshapes you, your relationships and social circles transform as well.
- In early sobriety, withdrawal symptoms like headaches may arise as the body detoxes.
And I’m not saying you know, I never have a hissy fit, never, you know, have a have a big old shout. Well, I think, you know, for me, I quickly realized, well, actually not that quickly. But over time, it came to me that this was way more than just not doing something. It’s literally the most important thing you will ever do for your health and well-being.
Once you get sober, you can strengthen your relationship skills and rebuild lost friendships. You can also make new, healthy connections in addiction recovery support groups. By stimulating GABA function and blocking glutamate (both important neurotransmitters), alcohol can relax your mind and reduce social anxiety. However, in response to this imbalance, our bodies go into overdrive in an attempt to put things right. You end up with unnaturally low Gaba function and a spike in glutamate – a situation that leads to anxiety,” says David Nutt, professor of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College, London.
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray
In view of the disadvantages, it’s time to weigh the costs against the benefits of being teetotal. We live in a world where alcohol consumption is viewed as the norm. However, many people are awakening to how it is causing more problems than benefits in their lives.