5 Reasons to Take a Booze Break

 5 Reasons to Take a Booze Break

1. You’ll Be In a Better Mood

“Alcohol might make you feel untethered for a while, but it stuns the brain and depresses your mood,” says William W. Li, MD, an internationally renowned physician, scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself.

2. You’ll Help Your Liver

“Your liver functions as a natural detoxifier and has to work hard to metabolize alcohol in your system,” says Li. “Heavy drinking takes its toll on your liver and going alcohol-free lets your liver heal up.” Tiffany Cruikshank, wellness expert and founder of Yoga Medicine®, calls it a vacation for your liver. “Think of your liver detox pathways like a lineup of chemicals and toxins waiting to be processed and eliminated, while alcohol is notoriously cutting in line and slowing things down,” she says. “Because of that, it’s critical for our health in so many ways and can have a really significant impact on energy levels, mental focus, mood, hormones (a big one for women with PMS), immune function and so much more.”

3. Your Love Life Might Improve

“In addition to mood swings, alcohol puts a damper on your libido as well as your sex organs,” says Li.

4. You’ll Have Better Immunity

Li says, “People who drink heavily have lowered immunity – definitely something you don’t want in a pandemic.”

5. You May Find it Easier to Lose Weight

Cutting out alcohol cuts out extra calories, Li explains.

Consider Alcohol-Free Beverages

Just because you are not drinking alcohol doesn’t mean you have to recuse yourself from social situations where alcohol will be present. You can always consider trying alcohol-free beer and wines, like the award-winning ones crafted by Hill Street Brewing Company. The taste and look just like the real thing – but sans alcohol. Consider stocking your home with alcohol-free options while hosting, or BYO-non-booze to any gathering.