Go Sober for October 2021
Go Sober for October is a campaign ran by Macmillan Cancer Support, encouraging people to go alcohol-free for the month of October, all while raising money for those living with cancer.
As well as raising all important funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, drinking less alcohol has lots of other benefits, outlined below.
The benefits of cutting out alcohol for 1 month
Mental Health Improvements
Alcohol affects the mind just as much as the body, and although it may feel like it is making you feel good in the short term, it is actually a depressant that can make you feel worse in the long term, leading to serious negative effects on mental health and wellbeing. Cutting out alcohol for a month will give your brain a rest and help you to deal with any negative emotions in a more constructive way.
Healthier Liver
Alcohol has a detrimental effect on the liver; after all, the human body isn’t designed to process alcohol! Drinking large amounts of alcohol regularly damages the livers ability to process any toxins in the body, meaning it cannot regenerate as effectively and can lead to irreversible damage to the cells. Cutting out alcohol will give the liver time to flush out any toxic by-products left over from drinking alcohol, improving its functionality and protecting against liver disease.
Saving money
An alcohol detox isn’t just good for your health, it is also beneficial for your bank balance! Going our drinking with friends is a costly activity, especially if you’re doing it every weekend. Reducing alcohol intake can mean you have some extra cash which can be used for other, more important things.
Better sleep
Alcohol is a depressant, so actually helps you to fall into a deep sleep. However, once the alcohol starts wearing off its depressant effects are reversed as you pass into REM sleep, which is much easier to wake up from, leading to a disturbed night sleep. Cutting out alcohol has been found to improve the quality of sleep in the long term (https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324079), leading to less irritability, better mood, and a clearer head in the morning.
There is a time and a place for alcohol but cutting it out for just one month will produce noticeable improvements to various aspects of your life. Support Macmillan Cancer Support by getting sponsored; benefitting yourself and those living with cancer.
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