Many of us will know about Dry January, but what about Sober October? It’s another alcohol awareness campaign – so why go without a drink once again?
There are health benefits of not drinking alcohol but also a good cause to support. You’ll be helping to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support who are behind the campaign.
We’ve written this blog to help spread the word and support the campaign. As you’ll discover, reducing your alcohol intake brings many benefits.
The benefits of going sober
And not just in October. Let’s look at what’s in it for you. It’s just a month long but enough time for you to make healthier lifestyle choices.
There are many reasons why months like Dry January and Sober October are beneficial for you. You get the chance to assess the relationship that you have with alcohol, perhaps you use it as a coping mechanism to de-stress and help regulate your emotions. You might find it hard to address your alcohol consumption but there are many health reasons as to why you should, such as:
- More energy and better sleep
- Better concentration levels and memory throughout the day
- Lower cholesterol, less risk of liver damage and strokes
- Better skin since alcohol can cause redness, blotchy complexion or puffiness
- More control over your emotions and anxiety
- Increased ability to fight off illnesses
- Improved relationships, finances and all round health
We think these alone put a strong case, but the health benefits are one thing – how can you actually manage to abstain?
Getting through the month – without a drink
Going sober for a month can be hard but it isn’t impossible. There are simple changes you can make when you’re going out with friends or family to stay sober whilst also enjoying your time.
Here are some tips:
- When going out explore the alcohol free alternatives such as mocktails or drink soft drinks.
- Tell people that you are doing Sober October so you can have some support from family and friends.
- Increase your physical activity. This doesn’t have to be sport, light exercise from gardening can bring benefits too. Exercise can be a powerful motivator and the benefits you’ll soon notice will add to the motivation to keep avoiding alcohol.
- Plan some alcohol free social activities. There are many different activities you could do whilst spending quality time with friends and family.
In conclusion
There are many health benefits you’ll see within only a month. Changing habits when it comes to alcohol is hard so campaigns like Sober October offer some accountability and structure to help you make that happen. Drinking less is a huge milestone and something to celebrate. Starting small is an easy way to stop drinking and improving your health and lifestyle – as well as supporting a good cause. Good luck!
How to take part in Sober October:
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
