Alcohol is a widely consumed substance, but it can have serious consequences for your health. Excessive drinking can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues, including liver damage, brain damage, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. Quitting alcohol can help reverse some of the damage caused by drinking and improve your overall health. In this article, we'll explore the benefits of quitting alcohol and how it can help you lead a healthier life. When you stop drinking, your body begins to heal itself.
Research shows that some of the damage caused to the brain, liver, cardiovascular system, and intestines heals slowly when you stop drinking. Once you overcome the temporary, though sometimes severe, discomfort of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, you'll notice increasing improvements in your physical and mental health. Here are a few to keep in mind. One major benefit of stopping drinking is that the brain will heal on its own without alcohol. Over time, chemicals in the brain will rebalance.
Your central nervous system will once again function optimally without alcohol and you won't experience the ups and downs that come with regular drinking. Most drinkers begin to sleep better after a week without alcohol. This better sleep is due to a greater amount of REM sleep, the deepest stage of sleep in which dreams and memory occur. Alcohol can help you fall asleep faster because it's a depressant, but it prevents this important REM stage of sleep. Quitting alcohol is often just the starting point for losing weight.
Exercise and a healthy diet are also required. By now, all your friends and family should have noticed that you have healthier skin, more energy, better mood, and maybe even weight loss (as long as you don't replace alcoholic beverages with other high-carb foods). If it's hard to believe how much you'll save, try to stop drinking for just one month and see how your bank account is doing. As alcohol starts to leave your system and you establish healthier habits, you'll start to feel better, perhaps better than you've felt in years. It's clear that alcohol, and excessive alcohol consumption in particular, can increase the chances of developing several types of cancer, including in the esophagus (digestive tract), mouth, throat, and sinuses. Whether you drink in moderation or drink in excess or in excess, giving up alcohol can really change your quality of life. Quitting drinking can also help reverse negative effects on cognitive functions, including those related to problem solving, memory, and attention.
When you stop drinking alcohol, you'll likely see your relationships improve and you'll have an opportunity to strengthen them even more. Read about all the sober celebrities who have modified their drinking habits and have chosen a sober lifestyle for their health and well-being, not because of alcohol abuse. Longitudinal effects of alcohol consumption on the hippocampus and parahippocampus in university students. These symptoms can last anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the alcohol abuse and individual health. Over time, large amounts of alcohol weaken the immune system and the body's ability to repair itself.
Developing an alcohol-free lifestyle and achieving long-term sobriety requires much more effort than simply stopping drinking. Alcohol plays a role in at least half of all serious traumatic injuries and deaths from burns, drownings and homicides. Quitting alcohol can be difficult but it is worth it for improved health. You'll experience fewer illnesses due to an improved immune system as well as improved cognitive functions such as problem solving skills and memory recall.
You'll also notice an increase in energy levels as well as better sleep quality due to increased REM sleep. Additionally, quitting drinking can help improve relationships with friends and family as well as save money in the long run. If you're considering quitting drinking or reducing your intake for health reasons or otherwise, there are many resources available to help you make this transition easier. Speak with your doctor or healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you may have about quitting or reducing your intake.
