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Written by Megan Ayala. Last Updated: March 8, 2021
It’s often assumed drinking alcohol leads to significant health issues and that is true. It has to be done in moderation or it is possible to end up reducing your quality of life.
Studies show alcohol continues to be one of the most abused and misused substances on the planet [1]. It can lead to significant concerns about your health and general well-being.
Keeping this in mind, it’s important to try to remove alcohol from your life for a while to see the effects.
Here is a look at what 30 days without alcohol can do to your body.
What Happens When You Stop Drinking for a Month?
When you stop drinking for a month, you will notice multiple changes to your health and lifestyle.
The first change is going to be a noticeable improvement in your skin, weight, and overall energy levels. You are going to have more energy throughout the day when alcohol consumption isn’t a concern.
You will also begin to notice improved sleep quality while remaining sharp throughout the day. It’s ideal for those who want to maximize their health over the long-term.
When it comes to quit drinking, or take time off, you should consult with a medical doctor before jumping on the wagon. It can actually be dangerous to quit drinking cold turkey if you’re an alcoholic, so to be on the safe side we recommend talking with your doctor first.
Top Surprising Benefits of Taking Time Off from Drinking
1. Improved Health
Research continues to show that alcohol can do a tremendous amount of harm to your organs and overall health [2].
This indicates the importance of remaining on top of things when it comes to your alcohol consumption. If you take the time to step away from the alcohol, it will become easier to note positive changes to your health.
This is ideal for those who want to stay healthy for as long as possible.
You are going to start feeling better when it comes to your movement, how you digest food, and even what you end up eating throughout the day.
2. Increased Mental Clarity
It is common for people to cite an increase in their ability to concentrate.
Tasks that might have been difficult in the past will all of a sudden become easier. You are going to have a much easier time at work or school.
The benefits include:
- More Focus
- Better Decision-Making
- Improved Quality of Life
This is key for those who are always on the run and just want to maximize their brainpower throughout the day.
This is where alcohol reduction can go a long way.
For a lot of people, the change can be noticeable almost immediately because alcohol tends to fog your ability to think clearly.
3. Better Skin
You are going to notice a change in your skin.
A lot of people talk about their skin not feeling as dry as it used to. This has to do with alcohol taking away moisture in your body, which can lead to dry skin.
It is important to pay attention to this change because it will be noticeable during the first 30 days. Your body will react immediately and that is never a bad thing.
The change in your skin isn’t something you may care about in the beginning but it is a change that adds value to your health.
4. Improved Sleep
Do you have trouble sleeping at night?
This is something many people mention and it often is attributed to their drinking habits. If you are someone that drinks quite a bit then sleeping won’t be as easy as it might be for others.
This is normal but it is important to notice how your sleep improves by cutting out the alcohol.
All of a sudden, you are going to find it easier to rest at night and you will also have the ability to rest for longer periods without interruption. This is a major win for those who want to rest peacefully without having to worry about fidgeting and/or feeling restless.
5. Weight Loss
This is an underrated advantage but it is one of the more obvious ones too.
Since you are not going to be drinking as many empty calories due to the alcohol, you are also going to have a much better chance of losing weight.
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The benefits include:
- Fewer Calories
- Easier to Eat Healthier
- Builds Positive Eating Habits
You are not going to drink as many calories and that will reduce how many you are consuming daily. This is great for those who want to maintain their weight and/or start cutting fat.
Over the first 30 days, you will notice the weight going down naturally.
6. Reduction in Drinking
The average person is going to get used to certain changes after a while.
The 30-day period is not a long one but it is enough to start welcoming changes. This is key for those who want to make sure they are seeing a natural reduction in how much alcohol they are drinking throughout the week.
If you take the time to cut things by 50% then you are well on your way to a healthier lifestyle. It is something as simple as this that can improve your quality of life moving forward and that is what you should be aiming to do.
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If You Decide to Drink Again, Consider Moderation
1. Start Slowly
When it comes to making changes to your alcohol consumption, it’s recommended to start slowly as this will ease the body when handling a substance of this nature [3].
By starting slowly, you are going to allow the body to adjust.
Quitting cold turkey can be an option for most people, but it can become difficult to handle for those who drink a lot. For that reason, you should consult with your doctor before cutting out alcohol completely. If you’re a severe alcoholic it can actually be dangerous to quit cold turkey, so if you have any questions about this, be sure to consult with your medical professional before taking any time off.
Once you’ve go the all clear, take your time and listen to your body during the process. It will let you know what is working and what is not right away.
2. Replace Your Drinks
Sometimes, you are going to be used to the idea of having a drink in your hands at certain times of the day. This is normal and it happens all the time.
You can get used to the simple thought of drinking anything that is nearby. It doesn’t have to be alcohol.
These can include:
- Water
- Juice
- Tea
The beauty of finding the right fit is, you are going to have quite a few options to work with. It is always going to come down to what you want to drink.
Just try to stay away from the alcohol and you are going to be well on your way to success.
3. Listen to Your Body
It is important to listen to what your body has to say in these types of situations.
The last thing you are going to want to do is to ignore what your body has to say. This includes figuring out whether or not you have to deal with sudden symptoms due to alcohol withdrawal.
Each aspect of this process has to be handled carefully.
Sometimes, you are going to have to do things slowly and that is okay. Take your time but make sure you are progressing towards not drinking at all.
4. Drink Less Each Time
If you can’t quite straight away and still want to drink a little bit, this doesn’t have to be a negative. Yes, it is not ideal but that isn’t the end of the world.
Instead, you have to take this as a positive and try to drink less each time. Just progress each day and you will see good results.
The benefits include:
- Reduced Consumption of Alcohol
- Not a Complete Shut-Off From Alcohol
- Easier to Follow
For example, if you are drinking one glass per day, why not cut that by 50%?
It will be a change even if it is a small one. Sometimes, it is these types of adjustments that work the best.
5. Don’t Give Up
It’s easy to give up during the change.
A lot of people don’t know how to moderate their drinking habits and that is what gets them spiraling down the wrong path in the first place.
As a result, it is always going to come down to your mindset at the end of the day.
The goal is to remain stubborn and make sure you are subtly changing things. This can be something as simple as drinking half a glass less than before.
Even something as simple as this can go a long way in helping you see positive results. Over time, you will cut even more as you will get used to the reduction.
Summary
These are the main things to think about when you are changing your alcohol consumption.
If you are trying to make subtle changes to your lifestyle and don’t want to turn everything upside down then this is the best place to start.
Cutting alcohol from your diet for a month is a great option. It will teach out what the pros and cons are of alcohol consumption in your life.
Try this change and watch as the benefits lead to a significant improvement in your overall health. It is important to maintain this type of change to improve your life for good.
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/facts-about-alcohol
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm
- https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/alcohol