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So some system of accountability can help with this – as I’ve mentioned above, you might want to journal or share your progress on social media so your buddies know you’re doing it. It wasn’t always easy, but committing to a self-experiment with being in ketosis and measuring its effects on my distance running abilities gave my challenge some purpose, which made it easier to stick to. Go for groceries, take your kids for a walk, use the time to catch up with family and friends over the phone .
You may notice many things that are unique to you during your month of reduced or zero drinking. You may also notice just a slight adjustment in all of the areas mentioned, giving you a better outlook overall. Organ function, not being dehydrated, fewer skin irritations, and other physical positive https://soberhome.net/ effects are often experienced. Plenty of people drink to make socializing easier, and it’s not always easy to turn down a drink in a crowd of others who are drinking. Yet as more people begin to explore sober curiosity, not drinking becomes more normalized, and that’s not at all a bad thing.
Beautiful Flooring Ideas that are Easy to Clean
This challenge is meant to help people experience health and wellness benefits, like getting better sleep. In addition, it can help people better understand their relationship with alcohol, and even help them raise money for a good cause. Learn more about Sober October rules and benefits to decide if an alcohol-free month is right for you. There is alsoevidencethat prevention efforts such as staying sober for a month can reduce the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. For example, research found when people stayed sober for a month during an event called “Dry January,” they could engage in healthier drinking habits year-round. No matter what your goal is, to be healthier in general, to step back and assess your drinking habits, or even to raise money and awareness for a cause, any month of the year will really do just fine.
- You’ll probably also see some improvements in your performance at work or school, since alcohol can interfere with memory and focus.
- Being mindful of these things can help identify a pattern in behavior that can shed light on a potentially problematic relationship that may require treatment,” said Weinstein.
- In the long term, alcohol use can actually decrease your overall levels of happiness chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine.
- I’m trying to understand more about my relationship with alcohol.
We’ll be the first to admit that this summer has been S.O.C.I.A.B.L.E. Park picnics, festivals, holidays… While it’s been a whole lot of fun, it’s fair to say we’ve had our fare share of booze. Sober October began as a charity effort but has become a part of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, a campaign that can bring awareness to alcohol abuse. If you’re weighing the benefits of short-term sobriety, Turner recommends focusing on what you’ll gain, not what you’ll lose.
Replace Your Habit
Join the discussion about building upon what’s working & creating sustainable changes that align with your goals and aspirations. Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle and will leave you feeling more tired in the long run. First, drinking before bed causes you to get less REM sleep , which is crucially important to rejuvenating your body. Secondly, alcohol can cause frequent sleep disruptions, such as needing to get up to urinate.
Experts say taking a break from alcohol, even temporarily, can help your overall health. The term started in the UK as a way to benefit a cancer center. You may also be undoing the changes in habit you have been building over the course of the month by going back even harder once it’s over, Grace added. If you are hoping to curb your habits or boost your health, it is important not to see crossing the finish line as the time to overindulge, Mokari said.
I’m trying to understand more about my relationship with alcohol. Depressant, which means it disrupts the balance of chemical messengers in your brain. This, in turn, affects your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. While alcohol might initially make a person feel relaxed and less anxious, the effect soon wears off and leads to a chemical imbalance that can cause feelings like anger, anxiety, or depression. In the long term, alcohol use can actually decrease your overall levels of happiness chemicals, like serotonin and dopamine. You’ll probably feel better, sleep better, be happier, less stressed, and enjoying life more.
If you struggle with alcohol misuse, talk to your doctor about treatment options. It’s a 31-day challenge and money raised goes to help Macmillan Cancer Support. But even if you do not participate in the official challenge, Sober October is a good way to help reset eco sober house complaints the body and to help you reevaluate your relationship with alcohol. White said it is important not to feel shame if you end up drinking during your sobriety challenge. Don’t throw out the whole experience by beating yourself up over a glass of wine, he added.
Brace yourself, because you’re about to see a huge uptick in #mocktails on your social media feed thanks to the rise of Sober October. This relatively new phenomenon is trending heavily and is the new Dry January for many sober-curious individuals. This article takes a detailed look at red wine and its health effects. Moderate amounts are very healthy, but too much can have devastating effects.
Is Sober October for You?
In addition to these benefits, you’ll also be hangover-free for a month, and, if you fundraise, you’ll help support people living with cancer. You might also find that you save money during the month, and even have more time on your hands to try something you’ve always wanted to do. If October isn’t a good month for you to go sober due to the holidays, birthdays, or vacations, it’s okay. You can also participate in a Sober September or a Dry January to help better understand your relationship with alcohol. Are you worried you might not be able to make it the entire month?
Some people are taking a break from alcohol before the holiday festivities begin. If you’re looking for a laugh, make Sober October a part of your costume. Not only will it be amusing to your loved ones, but it’ll help send a message to others that you won’t be drinking that night. Dress up as a piece of paper with your Sober October pledge across your chest. Or, go as a tip jar and help fundraise while you’re at the party.
Challenge Yourself This Sober October: Ideas for Challenges
This is one key difference between the sober curious movement and total sobriety. One study out of the University of Sussex found that eliminating alcohol for a month had long-lasting effects. Based on data from people who completed Dry January, researchers found that giving up alcohol for a month reduced their number of days they drank later in the year. As alcohol is a diuretic, it can make rehydration more of a challenge. Leave you with dry, flaky skin, fine lines and wrinkles will be more visible, and skin will often appear dull. The high sugar level in many alcoholic drinks will result in increased breakouts as well as less plump, supple cells and a dull complexion,” she adds.
The same study reveals that 88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related causes, and alcohol accounts for nearly one-third of traffic deaths. Short-term or not, sober curiosity can still promote mindful drinking habits and lasting lifestyle change. The sober curious movement doesn’t work for everyone, though, and it’s absolutely OK to need extra support with addressing drinking habits.
There are few downsides, however — you might have to be a designated driver for Halloween. But if you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, do not go down the road to recovery alone. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat. It may not be easy to stick to sobriety for an entire month. The first week of Sober October is typically the most challenging. Taking a break from alcohol can help you develop an awareness of your relationship with alcohol.
So clearly, Sober October is good for your body, mind, and wallet, but flat-out quitting alcohol isn’t always easy to do. Here are some tips to help you prepare for a month without alcohol and ensure you get the support you deserve. You can then ask your friends and family to donate to the cause, and help raise money for people who are battling cancer.
She went from getting four and a half or five hours of sleep a night in December to seven or eight hours during her first dry January. For most of my adult life, I loved traveling and drinking in equal measure. The pleasure of visiting Argentina came both from the grand, crumbling 19th-century architecture eco sober house of Buenos Aires and the grand Malbecs I gulped under Mendoza’s Andean skies. My husband and I brewery hopped in spots from Asheville, North Carolina, to Istanbul, Turkey. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.