There’s
no doubt that alcohol plays a huge role in our social atmosphere, particularly
in the United States. Between movies, music and popular media, alcohol seems to
be everywhere, constantly. So much so that we can also easily feel like
everyone around us is drinking alcohol, constantly. However, this isn’t always
the case.
In
fact, a surprising number of people across the country have given up alcohol to
focus on a healthier lifestyle. According to an article by
The Washington Post, 30% of American adults
don’t drink at all. It turns out, many people are switching tracks completely
and going sober. What does this mean for you? If you’ve considered going
alcohol-free, but aren’t
quite sure
yet, check out these seven best motives.
1. You want to lose weight.
If
you find your jeans are a bit snug these days, it might be because of your
alcohol consumption. Depending on the type of drink, alcoholic beverages tend
to be high in fat, sugar and calories, which definitely don’t help the numbers
on your waistline. If you want to lose a few pounds, the first place to check
could be your drinking habits. Test the theory by giving up alcohol for a month
to see if you lose weight.
2. You want clearer skin.
Not
only does alcohol affect your weight; it affects your entire appearance.
Alcohol can often cause puffiness in the face, sunken eyes, premature aging of
the skin and a poor complexion. So if you’re worried about your skincare
regime, try stepping away from alcohol for awhile and switching to water. A
healthier lifestyle overall can greatly improve your skin’s complexion,
boosting your self-esteem and confidence.
3. You want to free up your schedule.
Depending
on your drinking habits, alcohol can take up quite a bit of time. Think about
it: going out to a bar, buying alcohol, sitting and drinking, etc., when there
could be a much better use of your time. If you want to free up space in your
schedule for healthier habits such as reading, meditation or journaling, you
could consider giving up alcohol. You might just be surprised at how much free
time you encounter.
4. You want to find your friends.
They
say alcohol lowers inhibitions and builds friendships. But if this were true,
why would you need alcohol in the first place to make a friend? If you want to
find out who your
true friends are,
and who you
really do enjoy spending
time with, get to know them while sober. You can have deeper, more meaningful
conversations, which both of you will actually remember in the morning.
5. You want to feel better
physically.
Maybe
you’re not concerned about your weight or skincare, but you have been feeling a
bit sluggish and groggy in your day-to-day life. Cleansing your body from
alcohol is the perfect way to hit the restart button and rest your body. Giving
up alcohol can help improve blood sugar levels, cholesterol, stomach habits and
liver. So if you find yourself struggling physically, going alcohol-free could
be a great first step.
6. You want more control of your
emotions.
It’s
no secret that alcohol affects a person’s emotions. Particularly when it comes
to processing negative feelings, alcohol acts as an escape, and enables a
person to avoid dealing with their emotions. If you want to be more in-touch
with yourself emotionally and have more control over your own feelings, then
consider not drinking.
7. You want to save money.
Finally,
this might seem simple, but it does have a far-reaching influence: Alcohol is
expensive. Constantly drinking alcohol can take a serious toll on the budget.
If you’re in a pinch and want to save money, giving up alcohol is an easy
solution. Depending on how much alcohol you drink, you could potentially put
all of that money towards a better investment, such as healthier habits, family
members or your future.
If
you’ve thought about going alcohol-free, you’re not alone. Over the years, more
and more people across the United States have made the switch to a
non-alcoholic lifestyle. These are only a few of the motives to go sober—if not
forever, at least for a short while. Consider these motives as you weigh the
option to go alcohol-free and invest in a healthier life.