In a world where wellness is a top priority, balance is everything. And when it comes to drinking, balancing consumption and enjoyment is a choice worth toasting to.
1. Improved Health
Reducing alcohol intake can lead to notable health improvements. From better sleep patterns to a strengthened immune system and improved liver function, moderation offers a path to a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing enjoyment [1].
2. Enhanced Mental Clarity
Clearer thinking and improved cognitive function are often overlooked benefits of moderating alcohol consumption. Lowering intake can result in sharper mental clarity, increased focus, and improved decision-making abilities [2].
3. Enhanced Emotional Well-being
That dreaded hang-xiety feeling isn't just 'in your head', it comes about due to chemical changes that take place in our brains during and after we consume too much alcohol [3].
Balancing alcohol intake can positively impact mental health. Reduced alcohol consumption is associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression, promoting overall emotional well-being and stability [4].
4. Better Physical Fitness
Cutting down on alcohol often correlates with increased energy levels and better physical fitness [5]. Reduced calorie intake from alcohol can aid weight management and contribute to a more active lifestyle (and less chance of having to sweat out that hangover in your next fitness class!).
5. Improved Skin Appearance
Reducing alcohol intake will help minimise the negative impacts on your skin. Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to skin dryness and reduced elasticity and volume (in short, it can make you look older) [6] as well as worsening existing skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis [7].
6. Financial Savings
Moderation can have a positive impact on your wallet - think about how much you spend on alcohol over dinner or on a night out (not to mention buying the rounds!). Cutting down on alcohol can lead to substantial savings, allowing for better financial planning or investment in other areas of life.
7. Reduced Risk
Moderating alcohol intake lowers the risk of various health issues, including heart disease, certain cancers, and liver problems, contributing to a longer, healthier life [8].
In Conclusion: Moderation Matters
Embracing moderation by cutting down on alcohol brings a myriad of benefits—improved health, mental clarity, emotional stability, fitness, social connections, financial savings, and reduced health risks. It's about finding the balance that works for you, promoting a healthier and happier lifestyle.
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References
[1] O de Vasser, R and Piper, R, Short- and Longer-Term Benefits of Temporary Alcohol Abstinence During 'Dry January' Are not also observed among Adult Drinkers in the General Population: Prospective Cohort Study, Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 55, Issue 4, July 2020, Pages 433–438
[2] / [3] / [4] Draskovic, M, What happens to your brain when you stop drinking?, https://www.ardurecoverycenter.com/what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-stop drinking/#:~:text=Alcohol%20misuse%20can%20lead%20to,the%20restoration%20of%20brain%20volume, Ardu Recovery, 9 November 2023, accessed December 2023
[5] Hanies, T, The Effects of Alcohol on Fitness, Healthfully, https://healthfully.com/the-effects-of-alcohol-on-fitness-6489948.html, 5 December 2018, accessed December 2023
[6] Goodman, GD; Kaufman, J; Day, D; Weiss, R; Kawata, A; Garcia, J; Santangelo, S; Gallagher, CJ, Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Ageing in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey, The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology; Aug 2019 Aug; 12(8): 28–39.
[7] Fletcher, J, What are the short and long-term effects of alcohol on the skin?, Medical News Today, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcoholic-skin, February 16 2023, accessed December 2023
[8] Gutjahr E; Gmel GRehm J, Relation between average alcohol consumption and disease: an overview, European Addiction Research, August 2001, 7 (3): 117–127