From better sleep to clearer skin and weight loss – the 5 health benefits of Sober October and the 6 mistakes to avoid
WE’RE a couple of days into the new month, but it’s not too late to get involved in Sober October.
It’s a 31-day challenge set up by Macmillan Cancer Support, which asks people to go booze-free to raise money for people living with cancer in the UK.
Even if you’re not doing the official challenge or cutting down on drink for the full month, you can still reap the benefits.
Giving up booze for a few weeks can have a have a surprising amount of health benefits – you might find yourself sleeping better or even shedding a few pounds.
“If you stop drinking, you’ll often notice the benefits within days,” Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant to Patient.info told Sun Health.
Speaking to alcohol charity Drinkaware, she explained: “Alcohol has a huge effect on our bodies.
“Starting with the brain, it can affect concentration, your mood, your anxiety levels, it can make you prone to depression, but it can also affect your relationships,” she explained.
Booze can also affect you physically, including your immune system, as well as your heart and gut health and the condition of your skin.
For those already swearing off alcohol for the month, there are a few mistakes you might be making that could dim the benefits you’ll get from your challenge.
From the health benefits of going sober to what you should avoid in your booze-free stint, here’s all you need to know about Sober October.
1. You’ll start sleeping better
One of the first things you’ll probably notice when you cut out booze is the lack of hangovers clouding your mornings with nausea and headaches.
But you might also find that you’re sleeping better and finding it easier to wake up in the mornings.
Dr Jarvis told Sun Health: “Alcohol may help you get to sleep, but it stops you getting really good quality sleep – so-called REM sleep, which is where your body restores itself.
“That means that if you stop, you’ll have more energy and better concentration the next day.”
2. Your skin will look more glowy
There’s a reason we’re told gulp down lots of water if we’ve indulged in a few drinks.
Alcohol can leave your body dehydrated and that includes your skin, Dr Jarvis said.
And according to Drinkaware, this happens every time you drink.
A few glasses of booze can cause your eyes and complexion to look dull due to lack of hydration.
But cutting down on alcohol can give your skin a much needed hydration boost.
As a result, “you may notice your eyes and skin looking brighter,” Dr Jarvis said.
3. You might loose weight
You’d be amazed about how many calories alcohol contains.
Just a standard glass of wine packs a 158kcal punch, according to the NHS.
And pint of 5 per cent beer has up to 222kcal.
As Drinkaware explained: “A typical pint of lager contains the same number of calories as a slice of pizza, and a large glass of wine the same as an ice cream sundae.”
If you regularly drink, you might find that your weight drops noticeably if you swear it off.
Rarely or not drinking at all in long-term can also make it easier to maintain a healthy weight, the charity said.
4. Your mental health could improve
“You may also find it easier to cope with the stresses and strains life brings” by going sober, Dr Jarvis said.
“Regular drinking increases your risk of depression and anxiety,” she added.
According to Drinkaware: “Regular, heavy drinking interferes with chemicals in the brain that are vital for good mental health.
“So, while you might initially feel relaxed after a drink, alcohol can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety.”
5. Long-term benefits
There a several long term benefits to going sober or cutting down on booze in the long run.
“Cutting your alcohol intake reduces your risk of several cancers, and your liver will thank you for it,” Dr Jarvis said.
Alcohol is linked to seven different types of cancer, including bowel cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and mouth cancer.
Drinkaware said that stopping drinking can also lower your risk of:
- heart disease
- stroke
- high blood pressure
- liver disease
- sexual dysfunction
- gut problems
SOBER OCTOBER MISTAKES
Though going sober for a month can ultimately benefit your health, some do go about it the wrong way.
Dr Jarvis said: “Probably the biggest mistakes I see are people who stop drinking for a month and assume this means they can drink whatever they want the rest of the year – it really doesn’t work like that.”
Other might beat themselves up about slipping up and having a drink.
A Drinkaware spokesperson told Sun Health this is not the best way to go about it.
“The main thing is not to be too hard on yourself,” they said.
“Don’t worry if you slip up and have a drink you might feel that you’ve blown it completely. This is ‘all or nothing’ thinking.
“A sober 29 days out of 30 is still a brilliant achievement. Be kind to yourself and get back on track as soon as possible.”
Going sober can feel challenging if you feel like everyone around you in indulging in drinks.
So it’s a good idea to avoid situations where you may be tempted to drink in the early stages of your challenge.
This might mean bowing out of your weekly pub quiz or not going out for a meal where you’re likely to have drink.
It’s also worth trying some different activities.
For example, go to the cinema instead of going to a bar on a Friday evening.
And it’s a good idea to have alternative drinks at the ready – a non-alcoholic beer, some fizzy water or kombucha.
“It’s best to concentrate on how you feel – how much more energy and concentration you have,” Dr Jarvis said.
“You’ll probably be surprised how easy it is to enjoy yourself without alcohol too,” she added.
“At the end of the month, remind yourself of all the benefits and think about how you can use the lessons you learnt during the month to keep your alcohol intake lower in the longer term.”