Health Benefits of Going a Month Without Alcohol

Drinking on an occasional or social basis might not seem like a huge deal. Many of us have a drink or two after work or when out with friends. But some significant health benefits come from going just one month without a drink. Some people do a Dry January, but any month is a good month to abstain from alcohol for better health. Check out the health benefits that may come with not drinking for 30 days.

Abstaining May Result in Clearer Thinking

When we avoid alcohol, our brains can process better, resulting in better, clearer thinking and overall in making healthy decisions. That clearer thinking may help us in many areas in life, such as personal relationships, careers, and even our weight and health. 

While it’s tempting to just cut back on drinking, the true value is in avoiding it entirely — for a month. By thinking more clearly about everything, we may see areas of our lives where we want to improve or be better able to focus on something that matters to us for the future. 

Better Skin May Come From Avoiding Alcohol

Drinking can cause water retention and bloat, and it may also make our skin look sallow, dull or lifeless. When we eliminate drinking, our skin has the chance to return to a healthier, more optimal state. 

Avoiding alcohol may result in glowing skin, a thinner appearance, and a much healthier, happier look overall. There are many ways to improve our skin, but something as simple as not drinking may be a big part of encouraging that improvement. 

A Month Without Drinking May Help With Weight Loss

Whether we want to lose weight or are just interested in not gaining, abstaining from alcohol may be the answer. Many people don’t realize just how many calories they’re getting from the alcohol they consume, but it can really add up fast.

Even a light beer has over 100 calories per bottle. For someone who requires a lower level of calorie intake for weight maintenance, the extra calories from a few beers could become a problem. Losing weight may be easier to accomplish when we’re not drinking.

Sleeping Better May be Easier Without Alcohol

Better sleep is often one of the benefits of avoiding alcohol. That’s because alcoholic beverages disrupt the sleep response and make it harder for us to stay asleep during the night, leading to frequent waking and broken sleep cycles.

When people sleep well, the next day is often more difficult. Feeling tired may lead to mistakes at work, personal relationship problems, unhealthy food choices, risks behind the wheel, and more. Good sleep is essential, and abstaining from alcohol makes getting that sleep easier. 

You May Have More Energy When You Don’t Drink

Drinking may sap our energy levels. Our bodies have to process alcohol, and it takes a lot of effort for them to do that. When we’re not asking our bodies to metabolize alcohol, we may have more energy for other things. That can also lead to an overall feeling of well-being.

We don't know about you but we certainly covet having more energy. It leads us to choose activities that are healthier, and we think it also increases productivity at work and around the house. Extra energy is our sign of a big win.

While abstaining from alcohol forever isn’t a choice everyone will make, taking a month off drinking may be a great way to see how different we can feel. Avoiding alcohol can not only provide a number of benefits but it can help to eliminate some of the side effects or risks of regular drinking as well. Some things aren't always about what you gain, but also about what you avoid.

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