Dry January – How alcohol impacts mental health
We are already two weeks into January and past the fateful ‘quitters’ day’ on 12th January when most people’s New Year’s Resolutions go out of the window. Dry January, where people stop drinking alcohol for the month, is well underway. Has your mood improved? Lets take a look at why and consider some ways you can continue to feel the benefits throughout the whole year.
Sleep Better – The body needs six to seven REM cycles to wake up refreshed. After drinking, that number is typically lower at one to two REM cycles so it is understandable that we often feel lousy after a heavy night (hangover aside).
Increased Mood – The chemical Serotonin helps to regulate mood. Drinking regularly depletes the levels of serotonin in the brain. According to DrinkAware, alcohol is a depressant and can affect our thoughts, feelings, actions, and sometimes our long term mental health.
If you have managed to stay off the booze this far, well done, you have made it half way through the month. That is worth celebrating, not with a drink, but reward yourself. Perhaps buy something you have not been able to afford before with the money you have saved by not drinking.
Use an app to register how many units you are drinking. There are many apps out there which let you track your alcohol consumption and spend over time such as this one by Drinkaware. Set a target and stick to it. If you achieve it, reward yourself. Reward and recognition is the best way to achieve your goals.
If your business would benefit from leadership and employee training on mental health awareness, resilience and sleep, then our tailored, cost effective solutions could help. Get in touch on 01924 666 295.
