With the festivities well and truly over and everyone getting themselves back into the day-to-day routine of work, you'll have inevitably have had the "new year, new me" chat with your co-workers, and we bet a few of them are kick starting their journey with dry January. After a month of excesses, 30 days of alcohol abstinence can certainly feel welcome, but will it actually benefit your health? According to the experts, it can.
What a difference a month makes
Of course, it's better to drink entirely in moderation rather than going through phases of binging and abstaining. With that being said, a dry month can help you break through the psychological barrier. As so many people choose to go alcohol-free in January, it can feel less ostracising to attend social occasions whilst forgoing the drink, allowing you to prove to yourself that you can have fun and socialise without having a drink in your hand. This could be the push you need to reduce your drinking further in the long term. Plus as the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that damage cells, leading to inflammation and scarring.
The dangers of drinking
It's no secret that alcohol isn't good for your long-term health. Excessive drinking can lead to weight gain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Plus, it increases the risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer, heart disease and liver problems as well as increasing your chances of having a stroke.
A dry month is a great way to detox whilst assessing your current drinking habits. Use it as a springboard to a healthier future rather than slipping back into old habits. You don't need to be permanently alcohol-free, but it is a good opportunity to cut down on your intake overall.
If you want help giving up alcohol, get in touch with our pharmacist today.