10 Things You’ll Love About Drinking Less

In today's extremely fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves reaching for a drink as a way to unwind, socialise, or simply out of habit. But what if cutting back on alcohol could actually enhance your life in unexpected ways? From improved health and better sleep to saving money and feeling more energised, there are countless benefits to drinking less. 

In this blog, we'll explore ten things you'll love about reducing your alcohol intake. Whether you're looking to make a small change or considering a more significant shift, these positive impacts might just inspire you to embrace a lifestyle with less alcohol. 

How beneficial is not drinking?

Choosing to try sobriety can have a multitude of benefits on your wellbeing physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually. Drinking less alcohol or not drinking at all can lead to a completely whole new way of life, it’s not always easy or simple, however the positive outcome is completely worth it. 

10 things you’ll love about drinking less

Let’s explore some ways in which not drinking can positively impact your life, in ways you least expect it. Here are 10 things we think you’ll love about drinking less.

1. Improved Immune System

One fundamental reason to start drinking less is to strengthen our immune system. Drinking reduces the number of white blood cells in our  bodies that help us fight infection. 

Quitting drinking helps the body defend itself from any bugs more quickly and efficiently. We also have many more vitamins and minerals floating around the body when we give the booze a miss as lining the stomach with ethanol can quickly stop us from absorbing vital nutrients.

2. Enhanced Mental Clarity - more memory

Probably one of the most talked about benefits for quitting alcohol is the enhanced clarity and positive state of mind that comes with it. 

Drinking less alcohol can improve your mental health and avoid the chances of you feeling anxiety or getting depressed. Alcohol is a depressant, it amplifies existing anxiety and lowers our level of serotonin which is the happy hormone that is naturally produced in the body. 

Doing things like exercising and spending time in the sunlight can boost your serotonin levels in your body. Be aware though that quitting alcohol will not instantly improve your mental health, repairing the brain's cognitive function can take time, sometimes a few weeks, for more serious cases it can be years. 

3. Better Sleep

Excessive alcohol drinking disrupts your circadian rhythm or ‘body clock’ which includes your natural sleep cycle. One shocking fact is that moderate amounts of alcohol, which is approximately 2 drinks for women and 1 drink for men, decreases sleep quality by 24%. 

Despite alcohol technically having sedative effects, it can decrease the time you spend in your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep which is the deepest part of your sleep and the most essential in order to restore your body. 

4. Increased Energy Levels 

When we drink alcohol, we slow down our bodies natural ability to convert food to energy, it also reduces blood sugar levels. After drinking, the alcohol raises body level of epinephrine, which is the stress hormone that increases heart rate and generally stimulates the body resulting in nighttime awakenings. By cutting back on drinking you’ll likely experience higher levels or energy and vitality throughout the day. 

5. Weight Management

Many alcoholic drinks are often high in calories and therefore can contribute to weight gain. In addition to this, alcohol stops your body from burning fat, it also leads to greater hunger and can lead to cravings for salty and greasy foods. By drinking less alcohol, you’ll probably find it easier to maintain a healthy weight and feel more confident in your body. 

6. Strengthened Relationships

One well-known side effect from drinking alcohol is that it can make some people a little more aggressive, argumentative or stubborn. Alcohol lowers your inhibitions and makes it more likely that you can say or do something that you will regret. Often, small conflicts that happen under the influence can escalate to enormous life changes or regrets. Cutting down on alcohol allows you to avoid alcohol-related arguments and approach conflict with a balanced and clear mind, not only this but you are less likely to argue over unimportant issues and can address important conversations whilst sober therefore improving your communication and be better equipped to nurture more meaningful interactions with others.

7. Better Health

Cutting back on alcohol consumption can lead to overall better health, including risk of liver disease, cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancer. Reducing your alcohol intake can have improvements to your overall health and long term wellbeing. One of the most significant benefits of reducing alcohol intake is the positive effect on liver health. The liver is responsible for metabolising alcohol, and excessive drinking can lead to several liver-related issues.

8. Emotional Control and Stability

Alcohol can magnify feelings of anxiety and contribute to developing new ones. It can sometimes intensity fear, perry and unease, leading to alcohol use as a means of coping. Prolonged alcohol use can disrupt the chemistry in your brain, sometimes leading to depression and unnecessary stress. Stress creates health problems and can manifest in a variety of diseases. Drinking less can lead to improved emotional well-being and a greater sense of inner peace and balance. It can help you get in tune with your gut feeling and intuition leading you on your correct path of life.

9. Healthier Skin

When you drink, the dehydrating or diuretic effect of alcohol means your skin loses more water, salt and nutrients than normal that are vital for healthy looking skin. This can make your skin look wrinkled, dull and grey or bloated and puffy. Plus it can cause dry skin, sunken eyes, dry lips, decreased elasticity and even eczema. Therefore abstaining from alcohol can help you look younger for longer and improve a more glowing and fresh appearance to your look.

10. Saving Money

It’s well known that drinking can be very expensive, one too many drinks and your bank account will pay the price. By cutting back you can really make some more savings and put the extra cash towards more important things like experiences, delicious food or other priorities. Did you know that if you cut from six down to three pints of lager or medium sized glasses of wine in a pub you can make a saving of up to £12 a week, which is £642 a year. Be aware that if you live in London or any other city, it’s worth noting that alcoholic prices are much higher therefore resulting in bigger savings!

Alcohol-free alternatives

Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious and satisfying alcohol-free alternatives available for those looking to cut back on drinking or embrace a sober lifestyle. From alcohol-free beers and wines to clean cocktails there's something for everyone to enjoy without the negative effects of alcohol.

Therefore, the decision to drink less or abstain from alcohol altogether can lead to a multitude of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. Whether you're looking to improve your health, strengthen relationships, or enhance your overall quality of life, choosing not to drink can be a powerful and rewarding choice. So why not give it a try and experience the many joys of drinking less?

Are you looking for a fresh new podcast for your next walk? Why not check out a list of our favourites sober podcasts.