So much of our culture is centered around drinking alcohol. Celebrating? Drinks all around. Mourning a loss after a funeral? There will definitely be booze. Tired after a long day at the office? Time for a drink.
It’s present at most people’s major events and has been since time immemorial. So why would you give it up? You may be surprised to find out that there are lots of good reasons to drop the bottle, even if only temporarily.
First, alcohol could be described as mild poison. There have been claims that red wine could be linked to heart health because it contains antioxidants, but that has not been proven. Your body literally must filter out toxins with your liver to process it. According to the CDC, overuse of alcohol raises your risks of various cancers, liver disease, heart disease, stroke and more. The risks entailed with drinking far outweigh the chance of benefits.
Secondly, alcohol use leads to increased levels of anxiety and depression. Lots of people want to drink to unwind or to feel relaxed in an uncomfortable social setting. However, there are healthier ways to deal with feeling stressed or uncomfortable. Instead of numbing yourself, take the time and effort realize the root cause of your anxiety or depression. Explore the feelings and sit with them. Talk to a licensed mental health provider. You might be surprised to find healing, which will last longer than the fleeting good feelings a drink or two will get you. If you are really struggling with mental health, medication might be the right choice for you. It is not safe to mix alcohol and antidepressants, so it would better to give drinking up anyway.
Another consideration, that might seem superficial but really is not, is that alcohol contains a lot of empty calories. If you are trying to lose weight, or even just stay a certain weight, alcohol isn’t going to help one bit. In fact, a lot of people find that drinking makes them want to eat, and they are far less likely to choose healthy options when under the influence.
Even though people like to drink to help them sleep, you actually do not sleep as well with alcohol in your system. You may drift off easier, but your sleep will not be as restful. Instead of wine, try having some warm caffeine-free tea, and implement a winddown routine. There are even meditation apps just for this very purpose! After a week or two of following a bedtime ritual, your body will learn that bedtime is nigh and sleep will come easier, and it will be more refreshing than it was before.
Finally, and probably most importantly, many people are susceptible to alcohol dependency and addiction. We do not yet know for sure how it works, but many people have some chemical makeup that makes them more likely to be addicted to alcohol. Alcohol dependence can and often will lead to disastrous ends in a person’s personal and professional life; not to mention health problems. It’s easier to never get into the habit of drinking rather than start and find out you have a problem.
