People drink for a number of reasons – to amp up the mood, take the edge off, or just relax after a long, stressful week. This makes giving up alcohol a challenging feat, but the rewards are worth it. When you stop drinking, your body and mind can experience a range of physical, mental and emotional benefits.
From improved sleep to better skin and increased energy levels, there’s no doubt that giving up alcohol can be beneficial to your overall health. And then there are all the healthy non-alcoholic drinks you’ll get to try while playing your favorite online casino games!
Benefits of not drinking alcohol
Regular consumption of alcohol taxes your liver and increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and alcohol-associated cancer. It can also weaken the immune system and has been found to negatively impact symptoms in people with anxiety, depression and other mental health challenges. When you give up alcohol, not only do you give your body a chance to recover from the negative impacts of drinking, but you are also likely to notice a number of benefits, both mentally and physically. Read on to find out what these are.
Sleep Improvements
While having a glass or two of wine before bed may have made it easier for you to drift off initially, chances are you aren’t getting the restful sleep that your body needs in order to function optimally each day. As soon as you stop drinking altogether or reduce your intake significantly, your body starts adjusting back into its natural rhythms, which means better quality sleep overall.
Better Complexion
Reducing your intake of alcoholic beverages has been linked to improved skin health due to less inflammation caused by dehydration. So if smooth, healthy-looking skin is important to you, now might be a good time for a lifestyle upgrade. In addition to this, giving up booze often encourages people into healthier eating habits since they become more aware of what they’re consuming on a daily basis – resulting in improved nutrition all around.
Increased Energy Levels
One of the most immediate benefits when you give up alcohol is an increase in energy levels. Even moderate amounts of drinking can lead to fatigue, as alcohol disrupts your natural sleep cycles, causing you to wake up feeling sluggish and exhausted. By cutting out or reducing your alcohol consumption, you will start to see an improvement in how energetic you feel throughout the day, especially if you used to drink regularly. This will allow you to be more productive at work and start enjoying activities like exercising and other hobbies.
Improved Mood and Mental Wellbeing
Physical changes aren’t all you’ll notice when you lay off drinking. People who quit drinking report feeling brighter and more alert during their days – possibly due to reduced inflammation around the brain caused by toxins found within alcoholic drinks. In addition, those who stop boozing find themselves able to think more clearly about the decisions they make, which could have positive impacts on their relationships and careers – making them feel emotionally empowered, too.
General Timeline for Increased Health
Whether you feel the need to focus on your health for a few weeks or have decided it’s time to quit drinking indefinitely, every person will experience different timelines when giving up alcohol. There are, however, some general patterns that many individuals share. Here is a comprehensive timeline of what happens to your body after you stop drinking alcohol.
12 to 24 Hours
By 24 hours after your last drink, you should start feeling better, as all traces of alcohol should now be out of your system. However, some people may still feel tired and sluggish due to sleep deprivation caused by their prior drinking habits. This is a good time for healthy hydration and nutrition, as well as restful activities such as reading, light exercise, or a round or two of your favorite online slots.
One Week
One week after going alcohol-free, you might begin noticing physical changes, such as improved energy levels and better digestion, thanks to reduced inflammation. Mental clarity should also start becoming more apparent now that substances like ethanol are no longer influencing brain chemistry. You might also find yourself with more motivation for work and exercise at this stage.
One Month
By this point, many people report feeling greater emotional balance, along with increased confidence in social situations without having had any drinks beforehand – something which may have been difficult before. Most people will notice far greater and more consistent sleep, leading to improved motivation and clarity. Additionally, weight loss might become evident if an individual focuses on better lifestyle habits.
Three Months
After three months off the sauce, most people start seeing significant improvements in their overall health, including lowered blood pressure levels and improved liver function. Improved mental health is another common benefit seen during this period since brain chemistry continues adjusting back toward baseline over time. Skin complexion should also look brighter now that toxins leave your body faster than when you regularly consumed alcohol.
Other Benefits That Come With Giving Up Alcohol
Finally, there are other long-term health benefits associated with not consuming any alcoholic beverages whatsoever, such as a reduced risk of certain types of cancers (particularly breast cancer), lower cholesterol levels, lowered blood pressure, lowered risk of diabetes type 2 and more. All these combined factors contribute to the decision to quit drinking, which is undoubtedly an excellent choice for anyone wanting to improve their general health, both physically and mentally.
Guaranteed Fun with Borgata Online
While it may take some time to adjust to alcohol-free nights out and develop healthier lifestyle habits, you can always count on Borgata Online to bring the entertainment – no booze needed! Register with our world-renowned online casino to experience the best the industry has to offer.