Introduction
Our culture and society has made alcohol a normal part of life, however is it good for you? A Healthline article examined the good, bad, and ugly sides of drinking alcohol and it’s well worth a read. However, despite the article’s claim that some beverages may have health benefits, there is limited evidence at best. Moreover, the WHO confirms there’s no safe amount to drink.
To be clear, becoming a teetotaller is a personal choice and everyone has to make that decision on their own. I don’t wish to have a go at anyone who’s made a different choice to me. My only goal is to share how I quit drinking for good and some of the ways I succeeded. Therefore, I present my personal tips in this article so you can join me on my teetotalism journey if you wish.
Why do you drink alcohol?
An important question, and one that should be answered carefully. Specific situations can cause drinking temptations, such as going to a bar or nightclub. However, this also encompasses various other scenarios:
- Friend’s house
- Festivals
- Work events
- Gigs
- Holidays
If you feel under pressure to drink on a social outing, consider going somewhere else. Moreover, why not try going to the gym or taking up a new hobby? Activities like going to the gym or taking yoga are proven to improve fitness and reduce alcohol cravings.
Do you feel your health isn’t as good as it could be?
Alcohol may seem okay, but you should ask whether your health is being impacted by it. One meta-analysis confirms that even low alcohol consumption has no health benefits at all, and poses more risks overall. Some of the risks are outlined below:
- Physical accidents
- Possibility of fights
- Higher mortality
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hangovers
While some of the risks are worse than others, it’s worth considering whether they are impacting you on a day to day basis. If they are, then it might be best to get professional support if required.
Want to feel awesome after quitting alcohol?
Having discussed some of the bad sides of drinking, let’s mention the positives. Through improved exercise, fitness and sobriety, you can experience the following benefits:
- Better mental health
- Improved sleep quality
- Weight loss
- Healthier immune system
- Lower risk of cancer
There are many other positives as well such as reduced Cardiovascular risk and even improved nutrition. It’s always worth considering these benefits before you decide whether alcohol is for you or not. Having personally experienced all of the benefits above, my health has improved as a result.
My experience with alcohol
Since I reached the legal drinking age, I rarely drank. However, When I did, it often turned into heavy binge sessions, influenced by the friends I hung out with at places like pubs and nightclubs. However, when the pandemic hit in 2020, I started drinking less compared to the previous year and became more interested in exercise and improving my health, possibly due the restrictions at the time.
My interest in exercise continued after most restrictions were lifted in summer 2021, leading me to quit alcohol in July 2022 for good. Since giving up alcohol, I’ve never looked back. I feel more clear-headed and physically fit than ever before. My cravings for takeaways and junk food have lessened, and my diet is now more organic and varied. While I might occasionally have junk food, I no longer feel the same strong urge for it as I did in the past.
Conclusion
So there you have it! If you want to give up alcohol for good, you might want to ask yourself those three questions first. If you have a serious alcohol problem, please seek professional help as soon as possible. The advice provided here will not be enough on it’s own so take everything into your own personal consideration.
Feel free to check out my other article on the issue of why dating apps are so pointless – there might be some similarities to this article.