{"id":10440,"date":"2024-08-21T14:10:36","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T07:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=10440"},"modified":"2024-08-21T14:10:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T07:10:36","slug":"7-benefits-of-quitting-drinking-that-could-change-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=10440","title":{"rendered":"7 Benefits of Quitting Drinking That Could Change Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>You work out regularly, you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/mindful-eating\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eat mindfully<\/a>, but then Friday rolls around and, like clockwork, you roll up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/what-to-order-at-happy-hour-to-stick-to-your-health-goals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">happy hour<\/a>\u00a0with your coworkers. Five drinks later, you\u2019re thinking about skipping yoga in the morning and sleeping in.<\/p>\n<p>Drinking socially \u2014 and often heavily on big nights out \u2014 is deeply ingrained in our culture as a way to de-stress, connect with friends, and meet new people. However, more and more people are questioning whether these rollicking rituals are taking a toll on our physical and mental well-being, and investigating\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">how to quit drinking<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond not having a\u00a0screaming hangover, there are many benefits of quitting drinking, from deeper sleep to improved\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/ultimate-recovery-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">muscle recovery<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>1. You\u2019ll Get More Out of Your Workout<\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-172703\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19130309\/benefits-of-quitting-drinking-600-workout.jpeg\" alt=\"Woman Relaxes on Dock After Workout | Benefits of Quitting Drinking\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u201cResearch suggests that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/exercising-under-the-influence-how-alcohol-effects-athletic-performance\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">alcohol can interfere<\/a> with the benefits of exercise,\u201d says Dr. Aaron White, Ph.D., senior scientific advisor to the director of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.niaaa.nih.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism<\/a> (NIAAA). \u201cIt\u2019s possible that taking a break from drinking could help a person make the most of their exercise routine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Alcohol consumed after exercise has been associated with delays in recovery due to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.physiology.org\/doi\/full\/10.1152\/jappl.1997.83.4.1152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">impeded rehydration<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/24533082\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">inhibited protein synthesis<\/a>. It can also reduce <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19230764\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">peak muscle strength<\/a>, potentially impairing performance during your next workout.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDrinking alcohol after exercise increases the reduction in muscle strength during recovery,\u201d says White. So stick to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/benefits-of-protein-shakes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">shakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>2. You\u2019ll Sleep More Soundly<\/h2>\n<p>A nightcap might make you drowsy and help you fall asleep faster, but contrary to what you might think, it can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0741832914201157\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">wreak havoc<\/a>\u00a0on the quality of sleep you\u2019re getting. Even though alcohol induces sleep, it\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4427543\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">disrupts rapid eye movement<\/a> (REM) sleep \u2014 and that\u2019s when your most vivid dreaming also happens.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor most of us, alcohol is notorious for disturbing and disrupting our sleep architecture,\u201d explains Dr. George Fallieras, medical consultant of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biocorrx.com\/about\/management-team\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BioCorRx<\/a>. \u201cA healthy sleep cycle goes through various phases, including the deep, delta wave sleep.\u201d When that architecture breaks down, the benefits of restorative sleep become less effective, which leads to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/foods-that-give-you-energy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">less energy and focus<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And \u201csleeping in\u201d on the weekends won\u2019t do much to counter the disruption of your sleep cycle. Spending an entire Sunday snoozing on the couch doesn\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/catch-up-on-sleep\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">effectively compensate<\/a> for the quantity and quality of sleep you lost after a bender.<\/p>\n<h2>3. You\u2019ll Feel a Sense of Achievement<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cAt the very least, taking a break from drinking gives a person a chance to evaluate their relationship with alcohol,\u201d explains White. \u201cSome people might discover that their alcohol use is affecting their relationships, or that they\u2019re relying on alcohol for stress relief more than they thought.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Taking this time for self-reflection can help you focus on your goals more clearly, be more productive, and feel proud of following through with a commitment to yourself. In a British <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sussex.ac.uk\/broadcast\/read\/27612\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">study<\/a>\u00a0during\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/dry-january\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dry January<\/a>, 82 percent of participants reported feeling a \u201csense of achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>4. You Might Shed a Few Pounds<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-172702\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19130302\/benefits-of-quitting-drinking-600-weight.jpeg\" alt=\"Woman Weighs Herself on Scale | Benefits of Quitting Drinking\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering whether quitting alcohol will help you lose weight, there\u2019s a good chance\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/can-alcohol-keep-you-from-losing-weight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">it will<\/a>. In that same British study, nearly 50 percent of participants reported weight loss, points out White. Most of us know cocktails are loaded with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/calories-in-alcohol\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">calories<\/a>, especially those with sugary soda mixers.<\/p>\n<p>On average, a typical beer has around 150 calories, a glass of wine has around 125, and a vodka soda, the classic, calorie-conscious pick, <a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/174818\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has around 65<\/a>. Not to mention once you\u2019ve had a few, you\u2019re more likely to grab a slice of late-night pizza or a burger and fries instead of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/lean-protein-foods\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lean protein<\/a> and a salad.<\/p>\n<h2>5. Your Skin Will Look Younger<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cAlcohol is a diuretic [substances that increase urine production], which means it inhibits the anti-diuretic hormone,\u201d explain Fallieras. \u201cIn addition to becoming dehydrated, you lose a number of electrolytes and minerals, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/foods-high-in-potassium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">potassium<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/foods-high-in-magnesium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">magnesium<\/a>.\u201d These are necessary for many metabolic processes in the body.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, Fallieras says, chronic dehydration from alcohol starts to take a toll on your skin, especially when coupled with poor sleep quality. In other words, when you don\u2019t get enough beauty sleep and plenty of water, you\u2019ll start to look haggard as you speed up the aging process.<\/p>\n<h2>6. You Might Feel Over the Rainbow<\/h2>\n<p>\u201cDrinking is so casually ritualistic and culturally accepted that not enough attention or discussion is undertaken about its psychological effects,\u201d says Fallieras. \u201cBut alcohol certainly\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4065474\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">affects the GABA, glutamate, and dopamine neurotransmitters<\/a>\u00a0in the brain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Disruption of these circuits can have short- and long-term consequences, which could lead to anxiety and depression, decreased focus, and fatigue.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany people who give up alcohol for a month or two report dramatic improvements in their overall outlook,\u201d he says. \u201cFor some, it might be the first time in decades they feel as if they are living in color rather than black and white.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>7. You\u2019ll Spend Less Money<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-172701\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/19130255\/benefits-of-quitting-drinking-600-money.jpeg\" alt=\"Couple Puts Coins in Piggy Bank | Benefits of Quitting Drinking\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Among the many benefits of quitting drinking to your body and mind, there\u2019s also the bottom line: You\u2019ll save a ton of dough. You can even use this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov\/tools\/calculators\/alcohol-spending-calculator.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">handy calculator<\/a>\u00a0to estimate how much you\u2019re spending on alcohol per week, month, and year.<\/p>\n<p>If, for example, you go out four nights per week and drink around three $12 cocktails, you\u2019re looking at an annual bar tab of $7,488. Excluding tips, of course.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You work out regularly, you eat mindfully, but then Friday rolls around and, like clockwork, you roll up to happy hour\u00a0with your coworkers. Five drinks later, you\u2019re thinking about skipping yoga in the morning and sleeping in. Drinking socially \u2014 and often heavily on big nights out \u2014 is deeply ingrained in our culture as &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10440","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10440","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10440"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10440\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10440"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10440"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10440"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}