8 Incredible Health Benefits of Living Sober
8 Incredible Health Benefits of Living Sober
As a result of living sober, you will see incredible transformations to your health and appearance. Here are 8 health benefits that you will notice.
Sobriety is all about gaining a new perspective on life. Living sober means increased health. It means you're at a great place in life!
Despite all of the time, effort, and energy that it takes to get sober, the end results are worth it.
Living a sober life means less money spent on alcohol. It means making healthier lifestyle choices!
Did you know that living sober also has health benefits? From internal changes to external changes, the benefits of living alcohol-free are endless.
Here are 8 health benefits that you will notice after achieving sobriety.
1. More youthful looking skin
We've all seen the pictures of what hard drugs can do one's physical appearance. Have you noticed a difference in your skin now that you do not drink?
Alcohol negatively impacts the skin in many ways, including:
- Drying out the skin. Alcohol dehydrates the skin. This depletes the amount of vitamins and antioxidants in your skin. This can make your skin look flat, wrinkly, and lacking in color.
- Worsening pre-existing skin conditions. Alcohol can worsen existing skin problems, such as rosacea and psoriasis. Because alcohol depresses the immune system, flare-ups are more likely to occur.
- Causing acne/breakouts. Drinking alcoholic drinks that are loaded with sugar can cause acne. Sugar causes heightened insulin levels which in turn causes inflammation.
With alcohol entirely out of your system, your skin will return to its beautiful glowing state.
Sobriety will bring a plump youthful look back to your skin. You also don't have to worry about breakouts and other skin problems.
Youthful skin keeps you feeling good about putting your best face forward.
2. Weight loss
Many people don't realize the amount of calories that alcohol has. Pure alcohol has 7 calories per gram and it's mostly carbohydrates.
Drinkers very rarely stop after one or two drinks. This means the calorie consumption from alcohol skyrockets. An alcoholic may consume more than 500 calories from alcohol alone!
For reference:
- light beer has 110 calories per 12 oz
- rum/vodka has 96 calories per 1.5 oz
- champagne has 95 calories per 4.2 oz
- wine has 80 calories per 4.2 oz
Multiply these numbers by the number of times spent drinking each week. The total calories are extremely high.
By removing alcohol from your diet altogether, you reduce your calorie consumption drastically.
Even if you aren't trying to lose weight, the lack of drinking can cause you to shed a few pounds.
Does anyone complain about a lower number on the scale?
Weight-loss is a welcomed health change that happens when living sober.
3. Clearer eyes
Cloudy and bloodshot eyes are common in drinkers. Because alcohol enlarges the blood vessels in the eyes. In fact, alcohol causes inflammation throughout the body!
Aside from your eyes look, alcohol can also cause:
- double vision
- distorted vision
- decreased pupil reaction
- weakened eye muscles
Did you know that long-term alcohol consumption can even cause blindness?
Living sober means that you don't have to worry about these issues anymore. Unless you have permanent damage, your eyesight should return to normal.
Your eyes will look less cloudy and will instead have a brightness to them.
You can tell a lot about someone by looking at their eyes. Your eyes should show strength and a bright future!
4. Fewer toxins in the body
Alcohol is full of toxins that harm the body. When the liver breaks down alcohol, toxins are released. These toxins can damage liver cells. This damage impacts how well the liver is able to break down other substances.
If the liver is not functioning properly, harmful toxins can travel to other parts of the body.
While liver damage can be lifelong, the good news is that the liver can heal itself. In fact, healing can start just a few days after quitting alcohol use. More serious damage can take months.
A healthy liver means a healthier body!
5. A healthier heart
Alcohol consumption can weaken the cardiovascular system. Symptoms of a weakened heart include:
- irregular heartbeat
- difficulties breathing
- swelling in the lower extremities
- shortness of breath
- heart failure
Aside from a weakened heart, alcohol can also cause hypertension and stroke.
These health effects are scary, right? When you decide that living sober is best, you're doing your heart a favor.
Like many other organs in the body, when there is no alcohol in your system, the heart can heal.
6. A clearer mind
When drinking, did you have trouble remembering things? Did you feel as if you were living in a haze?
You're not alone. Consuming alcohol can cause:
- memory loss
- slowed reaction times
- blackouts
- the feeling of being out of touch
When your system is alcohol-free, these side effects go away. And you can now live with a clearer mind!
7. Higher self-esteem
Self-esteem plays a huge role in your health. Having low self-esteem can cause depression and anxiety.
Before living sober, it's likely that you suffer from low self-esteem. The guilt of being addicted to alcohol is heavy to carry.
By reaching sobriety, you'll feel good about yourself.
Doesn't it feel amazing knowing that you overcame a serious addiction?
Higher self-esteem means you'll smile more. Smiling means happiness, and happiness increases your health.
8. Increased energy
Spending long nights out drinking takes a toll on your sleep pattern. When drinking, how often did you feel well-rested?
Chances are you very rarely felt like you got a good nights sleep.
Living sober means more sleep and better sleep.
Sleep is an important part of a body healthy. A functioning body needs rest to restore and repair.
If you've ever wanted more energy throughout the day, sobriety will give you just that. Better sleep means higher energy levels.
Celebrate your achievement of living sober
After a long hard journey, a celebration is a must!
Do you want to purchase AA coins to celebrate your sobriety? Looking for AA gifts for yourself or someone else?
The Token Shop has a wide variety of AA coins and gifts. These items are perfect for honoring your new lifestyle.
Contact us to learn about our products or to place an order.
We look forward to celebrating your new lifestyle with you!