Can you believe we are halfway through October already? And for many, it means the halfway milestone has been reached for ‘Go Sober for October’. If you have not heard about it, it is a charity event where participants stop drinking alcohol for the month and raise money in the process.
There are of course many health benefits of not drinking alcohol or taking a break from it, and if you are participating in ‘Go Sober for October’ you will likely be noticing some positive changes. Things like an increase in energy, weight loss, improved sleep and feeling more alert. It can also help to improve the health of your liver, cardiovascular system, bone health and prevent other long term health concerns. We understand that taking a break or stopping drinking alcohol completely may not be for everyone however, so this week we share 3 things you can do to support your body if you do choose to enjoy a drink: 1. Keep it as a ‘treat’ When it comes to drinking alcohol, the less you drink the better, so we would recommend making it a ‘treat’ rather than the norm. If you are going to enjoy a drink, how about setting some boundaries beforehand? If you have ever gone out for a ‘couple’ of drinks and it’s turned into a heavy night, you are certainly not alone! But binge drinking is the worst for your health, so try setting a plan and sticking to it, for example, going home at a certain time or only having ‘x’ amount of alcoholic drinks. We promise you will be proud of yourself the following day. 2. Stay hydrated Drinking water can help to support your body whilst drinking alcohol and minimise your body becoming dehydrated. A little trick you can do is drink like for like, so for every alcoholic drink you have match it with a glass of water. 3. Eat food If you know you are going to be drinking alcohol it can be tempting to write the whole day off by eating more processed food or ordering the late night take outs. But unfortunately this is going to compound the stress on your body. So, try and be prepared by having some nutritious foods before you go out. Leafy green vegetables such as brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower can help to support and detoxify your liver, along with good proteins and fats, and if you know you will need some food later in the night, have something ready to go. This will help you to rustle some tasty food up quickly, reducing the chance of that treat cupboard being opened! There you have it, 3 simple things you can do. We hope this information is useful especially as we move into the party season. These small adaptations done consistently over time can make a real difference when it comes to your health. If you would like to learn more about the drinking guidelines or need any support, check out ‘drinkaware’ (link at the bottom of the blog) and as always, we are here to help too so please reach out. Drinkaware: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/alcoholic-drinks-and-units/low-risk-drinking-guidelines#dontbingesingleoccasiondrinkingadvice The content of this blog is for educational purposes and is not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog.