If you're reading this email it's likely that you are someone who cares about taking care of your health so that you can thrive throughout all stages of life. You may have already taken steps necessary to make positive improvements such as enjoying a clean diet, exercising regularly & practicing stress management techniques. However, there might still be one major issue that continues to sabotage your efforts to feel your absolute best... and that's alcohol.
You're not alone in needing to over-come this obstacle. Society has never been so stressful which has led many to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
As Naturopathic Doctors we see many patients who come to us seeking help for ailments that are often exacerbated by excessive alcohol consumption:
GI conditions
Hormonal imbalances
Sleep issues
Mood disorders
Chronic infections
And the list goes on...
And so it's time that we be honest with ourselves about the negative impact alcohol has on your over-all health.
Women are especially impacted with research showing that it is one of the biggest risk factors for breast cancer. It inhibits your ability to properly break down toxins and hormones which leads to hormone imbalances that can contribute to symptoms such as sleep issues, weight gain, hot flashes and infertility.
For men, studies have shown that excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to a decrease in testosterone, leading to symptoms that include increased belly fat, muscle loss, lowered libido and higher risk for cardiovascular disease & Type 2 diabetes.
These are just a few of the reasons to make cutting back a priority. So instead of focusing on "Dry January", how about setting a long-term goal such as only having 1 serving of alcohol 2-3x per week. Your future self will thank you!
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP:
Set yourself a limit to how many drink you will have in one week. Such as no more than 6 drinks per week, and no more than 2 in one session. You'll come to find that you don't need those extra drinks after all.
Commit to not drinking Monday - Friday.
Switch to low or no alcohol alternatives. There are lots of great mocktail recipes online, as well as 0-proof spirits available at retail stores.
Alternate your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. A glass of water or soda water will often do just the trick if you're feeling the urge to sip on something.
Avoid keeping alcohol in your house so that you don't get tempted to drink at home.
Keep your house stocked with enticing non-alcoholic options like sparkling water, kombucha and teas.
Find alternative after-work activities like going for a walk or going to the movies to help you avoid happy hour temptations.
Delay your first drink so that you spend less time over-all drinking.
Be the designated driver and stick to ti! This is always a great reason to motivate you to stay sober.
Recruit your partner or friend to cut back with you so that you can hold each other accountable and also encourage healthier behaviors.
Key phrases you can use to avoid peer pressure, "I"m pacing myself", " I'm on a health kick" & I'm cutting back".
In need of a current blood work up to gain insight into how your body is functioning and if you can benefit from detoxification support? Contact us to learn more about how we can help: