The Arabic word "al-kuhl" is said to mean "body eating spirit"
The spotlight on alcohol consumption has perhaps not come soon enough. Often viewed by my generation (1980's baby) and those before me, as a socially acceptable thing to do and actively encouraged. The shine has somewhat come off boozy nights out, the "just one more" and instead a focus on the adverse effects of drinking, (and i'm not just talking about a hangover the next day), which are cause for concern.
I was in fairness never a big drinker.
Actually, as I read that, I just mean I never got to the point of blacking out, which some of my friends did. But the reality is I could have had several alcopops followed by back to back shots of tia maria or bacardi in a club, without seemingly suffering.
But as I got older and the drinks more "sophisticated" I recognised the day after I felt low in mood, tired, groggy and wired all at the same time.
This only got worse with age where anxiety would set in the morning after.
I'm not the only one.
Friends have told me how they have really suffered from anxiety or when going through menopause experiencing severe brain fog/forgetfulness not realising the "several glasses of wine" every night were in fact not helping but hindering their brain cognition and ability to get deep sleep.
Clients who have quit alcohol altogether have seem the valuable benefits not just in weight loss, but clearer skin, reduced or no anxiety, a sharper mind, better sleep and fibro symptoms lessened.
So is the answer simply "NO ALCOHOL"
For me, for a very long time, although i do not drink by myself, I have succumbed to the pressure to have at least one drink at a social occasion. And every time I think "i'll be ok just having one", the next day confirms that i am no good just having even one drink. So, recently I chose to just not drink. The surprise? No one asked me "are you sure you don't want just one?" and in fact at a different social gathering more of us were not drinking than drinking. The relief from my side was palpable and made me feel that I wasn't some weirdo for not drinking. (I'm not saying I will never have a glass to celebrate an occasion, but as a rule id rather forgo a drink as it just doesnt do anything for me) Something, that British society has always valued, no longer seemed valued anymore and I think you see that in the younger generation who'd rather not drink.
The evidence supporting giving up alcohol seems irrefutable now. From psychiatrists to neuroscientists to nutritional experts and psychopharmacologists, showing the multitude of ways alcohol effects the brain and body, it hardly encourages you to want to drink again.
Pic. Dr. Amen Brain Scans
Some of the effects of drinking from light - moderation to excess include:
Shrinking Brain Volume
Lowers Blood Flow to the Brain
Atrophy of the Hippocampus (Learning and Memory)
Reduces Number of New Brain Cells
Increases the Risk of Dementia
Depression/Anxiety
Weight Gain
Severe Brain Fog
Hot Flushes
Fatigue
Osteporosis
Reduction in Libido
Poor Sleep
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Kidney Disease
Increase Blood Pressure / Hypertension
Strokes/Heart Attack
Gastritis, Stomach Ulcers, Acid Reflux and Heartburn
Lowered Immunity
Higher risk of Pneumonia and Respiratory Diseases
Damage to Small Intestine
Menstruel and Reproductive disorders
Dehydration, Spider Veins/permanent reddening of the face, Psoriasis and Seborrheic and Nummular Dermatitis
7 types of Cancer including Breast and Bowel Cancer
BUT, what about "in moderation"
Do you even know what moderation is?
As a society, whether its alcohol, food, smoking, sex the reality is we have an excess of all at our disposal if we want it and what is one person's "moderation" is another's "excess".
The WHO guidelines state there is no safe limit for alcohol intake. But if someone was to choose to consume alcohol then no more than 1 unit (10g) alcohol for women and 2 units for men daily:
285ml Full Strength Beer
425ml Low Strength Beer
100ml Wine
30ml Spirits
275ml Ready to Drink Beverage (5%)
"Ok, well what about the "Blue Zones", they drink"
We can absolutely look to the "blue zones" (areas in the world where people regularly live to the age of 80 and more commonly to 90 or 100) but their alcohol consumption is nominal, combined with daily activity (not just 1hr in the gym), real social connections and a varied wholefood diet. From instilling reminders to eat only till almost full rather than decimate the plate before them. They sit for food and enjoy company rather than being consumed by electronics distracting them. The may have a glass or 2 of local wine that is high in polyhenols but the addition of a less stressful lifestyle may also have a bearing into their longevity.
If you can truly look at your lifestyle and say you do all the above things before consuming alcohol, then maybe you will be ok to have the odd glass of wine. But for many of us, our hectic lifestyles mean, we are rarely sitting down and actually enjoying our meal or we are under some form of stress work/relationship/bills wise and more than likely are sat at our desks more than we are actively moving.
Unlike smoking and other harmful drugs...alcohol and junk food are still very much given the limelight, despite these being as addictive / non-beneficial to our health. And you may be saying, "Well, I don't want to live a boring life" so the question i'd ask you, is this:
What are you WITH alcohol
What are you WITHOUT alcohol
Are you, in the long term, happier, less anxious, more content, energised, clearer minded, at ease in your body WITH or WITHOUT alcohol?
Happiness is a state that you can only achieve from within, not by the crutch of an external drug (alcohol, food, sex, smoking). For most, cutting out alcohol isn't an issue. But one could equally say the same about food, sex and smoking. However, if you have emotional ties to any one of these habits, at least be willing to recognise and investigate your relationship with said habit, for your health but also your own mental and emotional wellbeing.
For many though old habits die hard and sometimes simply restricting the amount rather than completely removing alcohol may be the lesser of two evils. But if you feel you can say yes to any of the below, have a genuinely good think and reflect where you are and your relationship with alcohol:
Signs and symptoms of alcohol use disorder include:
Increased tolerance for alcohol, leading to more consumption.
Neglects obligations at home or at work.
Unable to control or stop drinking.
Obsess about drinking and plan the whole day around drinking.
The decline in work performance.
Loss of a job due to absences caused by hangovers.
Telling lies about how much you drink.
Hiding alcohol around the house or at work.
Waking up with a hangover and then drinking to relieve it.
Having memory blackouts.
Getting into an auto accident or a DUI arrest.
Relationship problems.
Continue to drink even with the adverse consequences.
Attempt to quit drinking but cannot.
Have withdrawel symptons when the effects of the alcohol wear off.
Support:
Everyone has the right to live their life however they wish, being informed and mindful can allow us to make better choices for our long term wellbeing.
What are your thoughts?
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