The problem with alcohol is often caused by our relationship with it. Why do many of us feel the need to drink – and often the desire to overdo it?

Do you believe that alcohol is good for your health?

The current UK guidelines for drinking is pitched at 14 units a week for both men and women even though the evidence is now stacking up to show that there are no safe levels of alcohol when it comes to your health.

The truth is that people die prematurely from alcohol. Quite simply, (and without judgement), alcohol is a drug and a toxin.

Alcohol consumption has been linked to many types of illnesses, including head, liver, breast and colon cancers. Research suggests that drinking in excess even once a month increases the risk of strokes.

From experience it’s the one topic that ‘regular’ drinkers become very defensive of – citing that drinking has health benefits. Sadly, when looking at the research, there doesn’t seem to be much conclusive evidence to support that statement.

For those of you who regularly drink, have you ever wondered if going alcohol free for a while would bring you noticeable physical and/or mental health benefits? Truth is that in many respects the results will vary depending on where your starting point is. If you only drink alcohol occasionally, then apart from a sense of accomplishment, there may be no change in your weight, skin, or sleeping patterns. For a heavier or daily drinker, a month on the waggon can have a profound effect on energy and stress levels, lowering weight and reducing inflammation levels.

Here’s is a list of the positive changes that you can get from just one month off the bottle:

1. Your liver will love you!

Your liver is one of the biggest and hardest working organs in the body. It has over 500 jobs to do every day to keep you well. Consuming alcohol makes your liver’s job very difficult to carry out. When you drink regularly, fatty deposits clog the liver because drinking too much inhibits the breakdown of fats in the liver – the medical name is ‘hepatic steatosis.’ As long as there is no permanent damage, amazingly, the liver is very forgiving and just 30 days alcohol free begins to create positive reversible changes. Your liver is then free to concentrate on doing what it’s good at, metabolising fats and processing harmful toxins and excess hormones.

2. Sleepy head

Even though you may think that a glass or two of wine may initially help you drop off to sleep, research shows that over time, regular alcohol intake does nothing to help with restful, restorative sleep. Alcohol has been linked to snoring, sleep apnoea and shorter periods of REM, (Rapid Eye Movement). Most adults need a minimum of two hours of REM sleep a night as this plays an important role in the brain’s development, memory consolidation and emotional processing. We all know how we feel the following day when we’ve not enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

3. You will lose weight

From clinical experience, one of the quickest ways I see changes in my client’s weight is when they stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol is simply packed with calories, (with a typical glass of wine containing 100-140 calories). However, despite the high calorific value, alcohol lacks any quality nutrient that can bring health to your body. In addition, alcohol may activate your hunger hormones, plus your stress hormones. The perfect combination for weight gain. It’s a challenging job for your hard-working liver to break down the toxins in alcohol, so whilst your sipping on the Malbec, your body is prioritising on the alcohol breakdown rather than focusing on metabolising fats. Often these excess calories get dumped around your midriff. Going alcohol free just for 30 days may reduce your weight, plus lower levels of triglycerides, (blood fat).

4. Your digestion will work better

It is thought that alcohol consumption alters the healthy bacteria in our bodies and causes inflammation of the gut. Each alcoholic drink is actually an irritant to the lining of our gastrointestinal tract. Regular drinkers who suffered from heartburn, reported that the symptoms of heart burn improved after a month of abstaining. The digestive tract is able to heal very quickly after cutting out alcohol.

5. Look younger in 30 days!

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and has an important role in keeping you healthy. Skin is responsible for temperature regulation, protecting you from disease and toxins, vitamin D production and immunity. When you consume alcohol you are actually causing deprivation to both water and nutrients essential for the skin’s correct function. Study after study has shown that within a few weeks of quitting drinking you will notice the following benefits in your face:

1. Reduction in puffiness, (especially around the eyes)
2. Fewer wrinkles
3. Improved hydration and a softer, dewy complexion
4. Less redness
5. More even tone in appearance
6. Elasticity

What is the point of buying lotions and potions for anti-ageing? The best way to look younger begins from within.

6. You’ll want to drink less in the future!

Not only would you benefit from the immediate results of no alcohol over 30 days, studies also have proven that people who participate in Dry January continue to drink less for up to six months longer thereby reducing risks of strokes, cancers and improving heart health.

7. Healthy hair growth

The longer you drink for, the more your hair will suffer. Regular or elevated consumption of alcohol will cause havoc to the health of your hair. This is because alcohol leads to a hormonal imbalance and causes dehydration. Not only does alcohol affect the absorption of nutrients, alcohol can also alter the levels of zinc, copper and effect protein levels. All of these combined may contribute to both stunting hair growth and increases hair shedding.

Many of Homefield’s clients have noticed a big difference in the health of their hair once they stop drinking. This is because when the body is free from alcohol, it can hydrate more which increases the absorption of nutrients – both important factors in producing shiny, fuller, thicker hair.

8. Get better gut health

Alcohol consumption changes the balance of bacteria in the gut and this can often lead to an overgrowth of a type of yeast called candida. Digestive enzymes are needed to help your body break down food and absorb essential nutrients – these digestive enzymes are affected by alcohol, leading to partially digested foods which can cause stomach issues like bloating, gas and loose stools. When you stop drinking for just one month, this gives the gut a chance to heal and gives the opportunity for the body to replenish the naturally occurring beneficial bacteria needed for good health.

9. Improves mental health

One of the biggest public health issues facing our modern society today is the relationship between alcohol usage and mental health. From depression, to reducing cognitive function, there is no doubt that alcohol massively affects how we think and feel.

Is it time for you to look at your relationship with alcohol?

If you are in need and want to look and feel better, read on to discover how a weekend at Homefield Grange can help you.

How Homefield Grange can help you break free from alcohol

If you want to take a look at your relationship with alcohol, whether you are sober curious, or you simply want to take a break from drinking, then our weekend retreat is perfect for you. We can help provide you with strategies to help you give up, or simply cut down on regular drinking.

The leader of this specialist weekend is Debs Davison, a qualified Sober Coach, who focuses on the positive lifestyle benefits of either quitting or simply cutting down on alcohol levels. Often just stepping away from the automatic habits we have fallen into and shifting our mindset around what we feel alcohol is doing for us has a massive impact on our mindset – this is what the weekend is all about – giving you time and space for some self-care, without the judgement!

This weekend is filled with interesting workshops, hypnotherapy sessions, NLP, relaxation therapies, yoga, walking, use of an amazing wellness spa, delicious nourishing food and all the resources you need to make a conscious decision to look after yourself more mindfully.

Small numbers ensure that your stay is personalised and unhurried.

Our aim is that you leave our retreat with a better understanding of yourself, knowing the truth about alcohol – feeling relaxed and empowered so you can live your life well. Take a look at our retreat here for further details.

You will be looked after by a group of caring professionals. We can help you feel like yourself again. Call 01536 712219 or email enquiries@homefieldgrange.co.uk for further information.