Having a drink when socialising, relaxing or with a meal are all perfectly normal, as long as it is enjoyed in moderation.
But if you wake up after having a few too many the night before, you may want to swear off booze all together. For those who aren't ready to say goodbye to alcohol for good, now is the perfect time to take a break - and for a good cause.
October is an important month for thousands of Brits, as they take on the challenge of going sober in order to raise money for charity. The go sober campaign sees participants ditch the drinking for a month to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Even for charity, it can still be difficult to resist temptation. Therefore, it is always good to remember the benefits quitting booze can have, even for only a short time.
With this in mind, health experts at NiceRx have revealed five benefits going sober can have on your health.
Top five benefits of going sober
1. Improved mood
Alcohol is known as a depressant due to some of the components within the liquid, which means instead of making you feel happy, it can actually have the opposite effect and make you feel depressed and lower your mood, meaning you’re likely to feel happier when sober.
2. Better skin
Alcohol contains numerous toxins which can have a bad impact on your skin, causing breakouts and dark circles around your eyes. When a person goes sober, they’ll notice their skin looks healthier, which can include a reduction in acne and wrinkles becoming less visible.
3. Better sleep
Alcohol can have a negative impact on REM sleep which can cause disruption during the night and fatigue the following morning. Although you may believe you’ve had a good night’s sleep after drinking alcohol, there’s a good chance it was disruptive and low quality.
4. More energy
Although sleep plays a big part in providing the body with energy, the effects of alcohol can make you feel fatigued, as well as having the ability to make your muscles ache. Once alcohol is removed from your diet, you’ll notice your energy level increase and you’ll feel better all around.
5. A healthier diet
Excessive alcohol can often result in people eating junk food and craving sugar, which if consumed on a regular basis can lead to numerous health implications. When a person is sober, they're much more likely to eat a healthy diet and resist the urge to eat junk food.
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