If you’re taking part in an event like FebFast, encourage your friends and family to sponsor you. Not only will it be good for the charity you are supporting, but it can make you more accountable. Start out by participating in Sunnyside’s 30-day Alcohol Reset Challenge and join a group of over 150,000 people who are improving their relationship with alcohol. „I have found kombucha to be an effective tool in transitioning off nightly nightcaps,” says Koskinen.
Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Drinking for 30 Days
Depending on how much a person drinks, taking a break from alcohol for a month could lead to myriad positive changes. Some people might discover their alcohol use was irritating their stomach, disrupting their sleep, causing weight gain, contributing to conflicts, or that they relied more on alcohol for stress relief than they thought. Waking up without the fatigue, malaise and other common symptoms of hangovers could greatly improve one’s quality of life. In addition, potential improvements in health and wellbeing could have positive effects on relationships. And, for some people, the financial savings could be substantial. Research has also shown that taking a month-long break from alcohol can be good for the liver.
Plan some sober activities ahead of time.
- One study found that people’s levels of stress and anxiety as well as their relationships got better when they embraced sobriety.
- It’s OK in moderate amounts — which means no more than 1 drink a day for women — no more than 2 per day for men.
- Remember you can return to this anytime for support or reminders to assist you.
- Over time, it’s a driver of inflammation — and in heavy drinkers — sets the stage for cirrhosis.
- If you know there are people in your social circle who won’t be as encouraging, it’s OK to let them know you need their support.
I order a mocktail when I meet people for drinks because it feels good to sip a drink that has an air of indulgence to it. The action also helps reduce any worry of being interrogated by strangers about why I’m not drinking (it happens all too often) because mocktails look just like cocktails. If you’re used to de-stressing after work with a glass of wine, try a quick burst of exercise. Think about what’s motivating you to take a break from alcohol. Rachel Kazez, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist with All Along, says to begin with some basic questions to get a little perspective. Giving it up for 30 days can bring your energy levels back into balance!
- If you are drinking in excess, it’s better to cut your alcohol intake,” said Dasgupta.
- Modern mocktails are much better than they used to be, and there are alcohol alternatives out there no matter what you typically go for at the bar.
- I often suggest a period of days to my clients, leaving the final decision up to the individual.
- Social media can also be a great place to start making sober friends by following hashtags such as #soberlife, #soberissexy, and #sobercurious.
- No longer using alcohol or changing the way in which you used alcohol, can be a first step in making other important changes.
Questioning Your Relationship with Alcohol? Here’s What to Do Next
“The benefits can vary from person to person depending on how much of a change from their baseline behavior this is,” Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, medical director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, told Healthline. The best non-alcoholic wines taste just like real wine because they are real wine. The alcohol is just removed at the end to keep you hangover-free. We don’t want to get too personal here, but less drinking can make trips to the bathroom a much more pleasant experience.
- I understand that a slip can occur and I must not use it as an excuse to return to drinking my old patterns.
- While alcohol is high in calories, and wine, beer, and mixed drinks add sugar to one’s diet, cutting it out may or may not help you lose weight depending on how much alcohol you consume regularly.
- Drinking alcohol before bed, even one glass of wine – impacts our brain’s ability to go into REM sleep – the type of sleep that is restorative and helps us to really feel rested.
- Money can become an issue with the need to support drinking or other use.
Taking a Break from Alcohol Can be Good for Your Health
Experts say there are benefits to quitting alcohol for a short period, even if you’re a social or moderate drinker. If you’re having difficulty finding support systems as you experiment with quitting drinking or aren’t sure how to make sober friends, Stewart recommends connecting with sober folks on social media. Unfortunately, sometimes those same people can feel judged by your changing how to take a break from drinking relationship with alcohol, which is why it is important to begin by setting boundaries with the people in your life who still drink. Ultimately, this is your life and your decision, so “it’s important to consider setting boundaries, honor your recovery goals, and prioritize your needs,” says Ellinwood. So what happens to this detoxifying organ when you quit drinking alcohol?
Free 30-Day Sober Guide To Quitting Drinking
Excess alcohol consumption may cause weight gain, which means that cutting out alcohol could lead to weight loss for some people. If you need a break from alcohol, going alcohol-free for a month or more can bring about many physical and mental health benefits. If you know you have a hard time abstaining from alcohol at social events, you may need to skip an event. If alcohol is your go-to when you’re feeling certain feelings, like stress over work or boredom, find ways to occupy yourself in those moments without drinking. If this is your first attempt at a break from alcohol, it can feel a little daunting to get started. Make a plan that addresses the biggest obstacles to 30 days sober, starting with how you’ll navigate your social life.
Having a friend also take up the challenge can make it a little easier. People trying to quit who have social support are more likely to reduce their drinking. You might be surprised at how much or how often you’re drinking, and in what contexts. There may be certain people, places or emotions that increase or decrease your alcohol consumption. Quitting alcohol for one month seems like a short time, but a 2015 study found that many people who participate in Dry January continue to drink less six months later. “A short-term break from alcohol will allow the liver cells to recover from the persistent toxic injury from the alcohol,” Larson said.
You’ve probably noticed that alcohol impacts mood in a few different ways – as it is a depressant, we can feel a bit flat or down if we’re drinking regularly. We can also find ourselves feeling https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-poisoning-signs-and-symptoms/ anxious in the mornings after drinking because of the impact of the neurochemical glutamate on our brain. It’s always a good idea to periodically examine your relationship with alcohol.
Other benefits of not drinking alcohol
Though you may not have experienced any legal problems resulting from your drinking, you may have had some close calls. Legal consequences often affect future opportunities such as employment, admittance to academic programs, or studying abroad. Families may not know exactly what is going on, but they begin to mention changes they are noticing. You may tell yourself that nothing is different and your family is just being paranoid or picking on you. Denial of these changes can negatively affect family members and family life.