When you quit drinking, it’ll work wonders for your bank account. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has created an “Alcohol Spending Calculator” that can show you exactly how much money you’ll save by putting the bottle down.
But abstaining from alcohol can do more than just put more money into your pocket every month. There are also a bunch of different health benefits of quitting drinking that you’ll get to enjoy when you get sober.
Want to find out how helpful sober living can be when it comes to leading a healthier life? Check out seven important health benefits of quitting drinking below.
1. Weight Loss
At any given time, about half of the country is trying to lose weight. If you’re one of the people attempting to shed some pounds, giving up alcohol could be the key to you doing it.
Whether you prefer to drink beer, wine, or spirits, you take in a ton of empty calories when you drink. You’re also more likely to eat unhealthy foods after a night of drinking.
These things can cause you to gain quite a bit of weight over the years. You’ll see at least some of that weight start to fade away when you make an effort to quit drinking, either by doing it cold turkey or by visiting a treatment center like Oasis Recovery.
2. More Energy
Are you almost always lethargic and lacking energy these days?
This could be a clear-cut sign that you’re taking in too much alcohol on a daily basis. Alcohol can rob you of your energy and make it difficult for you to carry out routine tasks.
When you first quit drinking, you might find that it takes a little while for your energy levels to get back to normal. But over time, you’ll start to regain some of your energy and feel better about facing each day.
Just imagine how good it’ll feel to wake up in the morning, excited about what’s to come thanks to all the energy you have. It’s one of the best health benefits of quitting drinking.
3. Improved Immune System
When you drink alcohol every day, it can begin to take a toll on your immune system. You’ll often get sick more than you normally would since your immune system is compromised a lot of the time.
This will be yet another thing that’ll change when you get alcohol out of your system once and for all. Your immune system will get back up to full strength and start fighting off illnesses again.
You won’t get sick every few weeks anymore when your immune system is humming along. It’ll operate better and stop you from having to burn one sick day after another throughout the year.
4. Reduced Risk of Developing Certain Types of Cancer
Did you know that those who abuse alcohol could be at an increased risk for certain types of cancer? When you drink to excess early and often, you’re more prone to developing cancers of the:
- Liver
- Breast
- Mouth
- Colon
- Esophagus
There is, of course, a chance that you could still develop these types of cancer after quitting drinking, especially if you’ve been a heavy drinker for a long time. But the moment you quit, you’ll see the odds of you dealing with these cancers go down.
5. Sharper Mind
Alcohol can wreak havoc on more than your body. It can also affect your mind in a variety of ways.
When people get into the habit of drinking a lot of alcohol, they often find it hard to focus on things. They also lack the concentration they need to problem solve in many cases. They can even suffer from memory loss.
By quitting drinking, you’ll stop damaging your brain cells and start making your mind sharp again. You’ll think more clearly than you have in years and enjoy how your mind operates when it’s free from booze.
6. Less Anxiety
Many people start drinking a lot because it helps to ease their mind to some degree. But the downside of doing this is once the alcohol wears off, it can make the anxiety they’re forced to deal with even worse.
If you’re sick and tired of feeling anxious all the time, giving up alcohol could be the solution to your problem. Getting sober can also help you:
- Experience fewer mood swings
- Avoid depressive episodes
- Steer clear of other mental health issues
There are enough things in the world to be anxious about these days. Why make the anxiety that you feel worse than it has to be by continuing to drink day in and day out?
7. Better Sleep
In theory, you might think that you’re getting better sleep by drinking alcohol before bed every night. It helps you fall asleep quicker than you would otherwise, so it’s helping things, right?
Wrong.
Alcohol can stop you from slipping into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. That’s the type you need to allow your body to rest deeply and recharge before you wake up in the morning.
Without REM sleep, you might not ever feel your best when you’re awake during the day. You’ll always feel at least a little bit rundown since you’re not getting quality sleep at night.
Start Enjoying the Health Benefits of Quitting Drinking Today
It’s hard to quit drinking without any assistance. It’s why you should think about checking yourself into a treatment center to get the help you need to stop.
It’s also why you should keep the health benefits of quitting drinking in mind at all times when you’re going through the process. They’ll motivate you to keep pushing forward and give you every reason to continue on your sober journey.
Would you like to learn about some of the other ways to improve your health and wellness? Glance through our blog to get more great ideas.
