The perks are better than the drink
Our bodies are amazing vehicles, they are resilient and will regenerate quickly when we stop treating it incorrectly, be it with habits, food or drink.
When we stop drinking (this is based on moderate to heavy drinking - one or more drinks daily), our bodies instantly begin the regeneration process. This manifests in several observable ways and many more unobservable... and in only a matter of hours and the longer you go, the the healthier your body and even skin become.
Timeline
Here is a rough timeline of the benefits and health improvements over you will see over days, weeks, and months. To be honest there is an initial step down before the benefits kick in... but so worth taking that step.
One Hour
In just an hour after your last drink, your liver will start working overtime, as your pancreas also will start producing more insulin, this will cause strong cravings for carbohydrates.
Twelve Hours
In twelve to twenty four hours, your blood sugar will normalize, provided to did not indulge the carb cravings you already experienced. You can help this process by eating fruits and vegetables along with health proteins and fats (no carbs like grains or sugar drinks). Hydrate often with water as alcohol dehydrates the body severely,this will help flush your system and insure the body is refreshed.
Forty Eight Hours
The worst is over at this point and the detoxification process has moved through the rougher phase, now the body will begin to rebuild and rejuvenate. The blood in the brain is flowing more freely as well so any headaches or fatigue that may have occurred will have dissipated.
Seventy Two Hours
At this stage you will feel "Normal" again as the cravings, headaches, fatigue are gone and your body is now in reboot.
One Week
Your sleep is getting better, deeper and having greater restorative benefit for you body. This will in turn increase your mental clarity, physical energy and increase body functionality (proper circulation, digestion, assimilation and cell replacement). Your skin is now also re-hydrating which makes you look younger and more vibrant. Many skin issues (if you have them) will also improve, like rosacea, dandruff, eczema, etc... you will not only feel better, you will look better.
One Month
Your Liver is now becoming more healthy as it's internal fat will be reduced around 15% (that's huge folks). This enables the liver to function better by filtering out the toxins of your body, this will in turn reduce the damage and wear on all the cells of your skin and body. Your belly fat will also melt away... now that is a perk!
One Year
Congratulations, you are thinner, more vibrant and way healthier now. But most importantly you reduce your chances of cancer in the mouth, liver and even the breasts... and you can take all that money you saved for a restful vacation, you deserve it!
Benefits
- You will sleep better
- You will eat less
- You will loose weight
- You will look better
- You will feel better
- You will save money
- You will reduce chances of cancer
- Reduce risk of heart disease
- Gain mental clarity
- Gain and rebuild muscle
- Boost you immune system
Worth it... only you can decide.
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Image Credit: northpointwashington
My new years resolution for 2017 was to do a year without drinking. My wife did it for 9 months twice, a year shouldn't be so bad right?
I never realized how big of a problem booze is for me and others around me.....well, I guess I did, but the booze always covered it up.
I really haven't had too hard of a time with abstaining from drinks, but I can admit, if I went out tonight and started drinking again with friends, my wife would be picking me up, and we'd be fighting the next day.
I knew alcohol was a problem in my family. My dad went through AA, and I don't have a single picture of his dad without a Jim Beam in his hand. I personally never had a problem with going days without drinking, but once I start and it hit that "pint of no return" it was a mess for the rest of the night.
I am always the fun, happy drunk. Most people really enjoy my company when I drink. I am loud, happy, boisterous, exceptionally flirty, and pretty damn funny, as long as I'm not roasting you.
After a full 6 months of being drink-free, I am really enjoying it. Its the longest I've gone without alcohol since I was 15, and I really feel amazing. I'm in better shape at 35 than I was at 25 now, and I'm sleeping great and doing great at work and learning BJJ, and I'm still having a great time with my life. I guess after 6 months, I realize that I don't need to be drunk to be that loud funny guy.
I'd recommend to almost everyone to not drink. I don't want to be "holier than thou" but it's really a nasty vice. I will probably have a drink every now and then once we are into 2018, but I have a clarity now about my alcohol consumption that I never had before.
Thanks for the case example... keep it going!
I will definitely share this with some friends of mine to show them there is hope!
Always there is hope.
Very nice post, I need to drink less beer then I guess..
You look thin enough here, complexion could use a boost though.
Hahaha
Soo true! Quitting is tough, thanks for reminding me of some of the reasons
Yes especially during gatherings... but quite possible. The entertainment must transfer from self to watching those that do drink.
The worst part is probably when you are detoxing and going through some sort of withdrawal phrase but it is way better to give up drinking than be a slave to your addiction.
As always... but the withdrawals are not as bad as the consequence.
I know a few people who would benefit from this, thanks 😀
We all can Flash!
This is an interesting article man.thanks
Thanks
ive had friends who have stopped drinking and their teeth got brighter, their hair was healthier and they werent tired all the time, its amazing what happens when you take care of your body
Yes the changes can be amazing... why is the drink so hard to give up?
HI ! I am a new member! please, follow me back and vote for my first post! thanks!