If you feel that your current boozing habits are holding you back in life, then consider doing a one month no alcohol challenge! You’ll feel better, more energized and more productive.
Most of us consider having a drink as a way of socializing with friends, family, peers and work colleagues on a weekly basis. Alcohol has formed a massive part of human being lives for centuries and to this day still does… even though most of us are not aware of it!
A mid-week pint of beer or 2 after work.
Friday evening drinks to unwind after a stressful work week.
Saturday beers at the pub to watch our sports team.
You know the drill!
And don’t forget that you should never let your Monday ruin your Sunday. Any excuse or occasion for a drink is the norm!
As you can see, being social and drinking alcohol has become synonymous with most of us. Yet the majority of us don’t pay attention to this lifestyle we are living, as it’s become ingrained in us for many years.
The old saying, “old habits die hard” is, of course, very applicable in this situation.
How Much Alcohol Does The Average American Consume On A Weekly Basis?
A 2016 study by the Washington post revealed the following statistics for adults older than 18 years old, which equates to roughly 240 million American adults:
- 60% drink 1 or less drinks per week (144 million adults)
- 10% drink 3 or less drinks per week (24 million adults)
- 10% drink between 6-10 drinks per week (24 million adults)
- 10% drink between 15-20 drinks per week (24 millions adults)
- 10% drink more than 70 drinks per week (24 million adults)
These numbers are highly alarming and a cause for mental and physical health concerns, with over 70 million Americans having one or more drinks every single day.
Now we not saying there’s something wrong with drinking alcohol.
My brother and I both enjoy a pint every now and then, a glass of red vino with dinner, or even a whiskey when we want to feel like proper gentlemen.
But it all has to be in moderation. Otherwise we just keep holding ourselves back, fighting hangover after hangover.
Trust me, we have been there oh too many times!
So, Why Do People Turn To Alcohol?
Most people drink alcohol for one of the following reasons:
- High stress levels
- Depression
- Low self esteem
- Dopamine activator
What Alcohol Does To Your Body
Alcohol has various effects on the mental and physical side of your body.
It reduces the communication signals between your brain and your body, which makes co-ordination and basic decision making very difficult.
You know that feeling of walking around the supermarket with a massive hangover, unable to even decide on what food to buy?
That’s the booze messing with your mind!
This area of the brain is responsible for emotional control, short term memory and judgement.
Hence in a nutshell, severe alcohol abuse can cause permanent brain damage.
Side Effects Of Alcohol
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol is very detrimental to your health and well being.
Below are the most common side effects:
- Liver damage
- Diminished grey and white matter in brain
- Cardiovascular disease
- Mental health issues
- Weight gain
- Increased stress and anxiety levels
One Month No Alcohol: How To Do A 30 Day Alcohol Free Period
Do you think you can go 30 days without ANY alcohol?
If you feel that you need a bit of a break from drinking, then why not try a one month no alcohol challenge?
You’ll be surprised at just how good you start to feel!
And hey, who knows, maybe you’ll never want to go back to boozing ever again!
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This seems like a long shot doesn’t it?!
What will all your friends think of you?
How are you going to manage being in a social circle by not drinking alcohol?!
The good news is you can easily get through it.
I’ve done it, so you can too.
My best bit of advice is to start focussing on other aspects fo your life. This way you kind of cut out alcohol and everything related to it for a while.
Below are 6 easy tips to stay booze-free for a month!
- Exercise: Exercise is a perfect distraction to keep you away from drinking. Join an exercise class that you pay for in advance which forces you to go a few times a week. You will start feeling the benefits of regular exercise after a few weeks and will naturally not want to drink alcohol.
2. Learn To Say NO: By saying NO, you deny yourself something that you have always had easy access. This teaches you will power and you then realize you can say.
3. Pay Attention: Watch out for peer pressure. Practice ways to say NO politely and remember you don’t have to have a drink because others are. Stay away from people who encourage you to drink.
4. Guard Against Temptation: Steer clear of people and places that make you want to drink. If you associate drinking with certain events and holidays, then you should develop a plan for managing these issues in advance.
5. Monitor Your Emotions: When and if you are nervous, lonely or angry, you may be tempted to reach for a drink. Try cultivate new ways to cope with these emotions and stresses.
6. Put It In Writing: Make a list for yourself on your reasons to curtail your drinking such as the need/want to feel healthier, sleep better or improve aspects such as relationships.
Benefits Of Having No Alcohol For 30 Days:
The benefits of giving up alcohol for a 30 day period certainly outweigh the negatives.
When I took a long break from alcohol, I felt quite a few positive changes in my life. A few included the following:
- More energy. No more having to drag myself out of bed in the mornings after a few too many pints!
- Better Focus and decision making. I worked a lot better. Decisions were made at a breeze, and all in all my mind just felt sharper.
- I was fitter! Because I would wake up on a Saturday at 6am already, I pretty much just started training almost daily. It’s a great feeling waking up on a weekend with zero hangovers.
- I lost some weight. Alcohol definitely increases weight gain. The booze, the fast food after a night etc, all add to this.
There is a really cool website called One Year No Beer which has helped countless of people looking at taking a break from drinking alcohol.
Persistence and perseverance are two keys words that comes to mind when taking up this challenge, together with willpower.
Give it a try for 30 days and see the benefits!
Good luck.
Cheers,
Will