Have you ever gone out with a group of friends and told them that you’re not drinking? It’s an awkward and pressure-filled situation where they try to convince you to have just one drink.
Yet, when you do stop and realize the effects of quitting drinking, no amount of peer pressure will convince you to have some alcohol.
Whether you’re quitting drinking because you’re trying a new diet or you just want to reset your body, you’ll quickly start to realize the positive benefits.
Read on to learn the top positive things that’ll happen to you when you stop drinking.
1. You’ll Lose Weight
People try to lose weight all the time. They may go on a yo-yo diet or work out five days a week and still can’t lose weight. That’s because they didn’t stop drinking alcohol.
Drinks are really empty calories. They don’t add nutritional value and they do add up faster than a fancy coffee drink.
One beer or cider can have about 200 calories. Wine is a little better at about 120 calories per glass. This will vary by beverage, but you get the idea. Stop drinking and you’re taking in fewer calories.
2. You Sleep Better
How well do you sleep? Do you have a couple of drinks after a long day and find yourself feeling sluggish the next morning?
That’s because alcohol impacts your ability to get into the deep sleep stage. If you’re not getting enough deep sleep, you’ll still feel tired when you wake up.
You may also find yourself having to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. That’s one more thing that’ll make it harder to get a good night’s sleep.
3. Your Outlook Is More Positive
When you stop drinking and start losing weight and sleeping better, you’ll feel better. You’ll start to feel confident and have a more positive outlook on life.
You’ll also eat better. When you’re drinking, you’re likely to eat fried foods or bar food to prevent a hangover. You’re also tired more often, which can translate into poor food choices.
The effects of quitting drinking on your mood are great. It helps you cope with depression and anxiety too.
4. You’ll Have a Better Complexion
Let’s get a little vain for a moment. You can have a better complexion just by quitting drinking.
Alcohol is a diuretic. What does that mean for your skin? It’s not getting the water and hydration it needs, no matter how much lotion you use.
Your normally rosy cheeks may clear up, along with other skin conditions like dandruff and eczema.
5. You Realize You Have a Problem
By denying yourself a drink, you may have a very strong urge to drink. In some cases, it can be a sign that you have a problem.
If you’re in college, it can be very hard to tell if you have a drinking problem or not. It seems like everyone is partying all the time. If you try to stop drinking and you just can’t resist the urge, you may need to seek help.
Another warning sign is binge drinking. If you start drinking and you find that you just can’t stop, you should get help.
Do you suspect you have a problem? You’ll want to click for more information and find out how to get help.
6. You Have More Time
How many weekends have you spent on the couch recovering from Friday night? It doesn’t get easier when you get older either.
When you were in college, you may have been able to go on a bender, sleep for three hours, and show up to class the next day feeling great.
As you get older, you’ve probably noticed that those days are long gone. It takes quite a bit to recover from a night out. You’re tired, dehydrated, and feel like death for a day or two.
Those home projects or that business that you’re trying to start are on hold because you drank too much.
When you stop drinking, you no longer have to nurse a hangover. You get that time back to focus on the most important projects in your life.
7. Your Wallet Is Heavier
Do you know how much money you spend on alcohol each month? The average price of a drink will vary, depending on what you drink. It also depends on your location and if you’re at happy hour or at an upscale establishment.
No matter where you are, you can expect the costs of a drink to go up. Even if you hit a good happy hour and drinks are $4 each, you’re still spending $8 plus tip if you have two drinks.
You’ll probably get food too. Next thing you know, your bar bill is about $20.
That doesn’t seem like much at first. Now add it up.
Let’s say you go out once a week. That’s $80 a month.
You’ll also want to add in the costs if you drink from home too. You may be spending $100 a month just on booze.
One of the least talked about effects of quitting drinking is that you have more money in your wallet. Soda and water don’t cost much, so you can still go out and enjoy a beverage without alcohol.
The Top Effects of Quitting Drinking
Going out for a few drinks is a way to connect and spend time with family and friends. It’s socially acceptable, almost to the point where people look at you funny when you stop drinking.
Despite the social pressure, there are many benefits to reap when you stop drinking. The effects of quitting drinking range from better sleep to more money and time.
Of course, if you try to quit but you just can’t do it, it can mean that you have a drinking problem. You want to make sure that you get the help that you need immediately.
Do you want more great frugal living tips? Check out our blog for more helpful articles.