The Unexpected Benefit of Cutting Down on Alcohol
Image by Anton Estrada
I was off work early last night and felt the urge to pick up a bottle of wine; after looking at my drinking app, which I use to calculate my alcohol consumption throughout the month, I decided against it.
Instead, I reminded myself why I started tracking my drinking in the first place—to be more mindful of my choices and how they impact my health and well-being.
Seeing the numbers in my app helps me stay accountable and encourages me to take extended breaks in between drinking so it doesn’t become a habit.
It’s not about depriving myself but about staying aligned with my goals and the way I want to feel, but mostly taking care of my body, especially after years of living a party lifestyle through my teens and into my thirties.
Now in my forties, living a lifestyle with intention and not using alcohol as a numbing and escapism has drastically improved my life.
No more hangovers
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the term hangover refers to a set of symptoms caused by excessive drinking.
These symptoms may include:
Inflammation — Several components in alcohol cause intestinal inflammation, which then leads to inflammation and organ dysfunction throughout the body, especially in the liver.
Dehydration — Alcohol suppresses the brain hormone vasopressin, which makes the kidneys retain water. Due to this, alcohol increases urination and fluid loss, increasing symptoms of fatigue, headache and thirst.
Fragmented sleep — Although alcohol is a nervous system depressant and can help with relaxation, it also interferes with the sleep cycle, causing a decreased quality of sleep.
“Hangovers can be both painful and dangerous. During a hangover, a person’s attention, decision-making, and muscle coordination can all be impaired. Also, the ability to perform important tasks, such as driving, operating machinery, or caring for others, can be negatively affected.” — NIAAA
Tips to stay accountable
Remove it from your home—Most people who are drinking consistently have a stockpile of alcohol in their homes. Removing it from the house will help change the environment and limit the urge to pour a drink automatically.
Buy miniature bottles—Many liquor stores now offer half bottles of wine, single beers, and mini spirits. Opting for smaller sizes can help you enjoy a drink while keeping consumption in check.
Stop drinking (Dry)—Go dry means no alcohol for some time. Most will challenge themselves to one month, but if you can go a bit longer, you will see optimal benefits such as rewiring your brain through synaptic pruning—what you don’t use, you lose!
Since redefining my relationship with alcohol and cutting back on consistent drinking, waking up without a hangover has been an absolute blessing. I can’t believe I used to spend multiple days a week feeling sick, exhausted, and drained—thinking that was just a normal part of life.
Now, my mornings are clearer, my energy is more stable, and I no longer waste entire days recovering from the night before. Instead, I begin my days feeling refreshed, motivated, and present.
When you reduce drinking and eliminate hangovers, the benefits can profoundly enhance your life. Feel free to reach out if you're looking for support on your health and wellness journey!
