Dry July - would you try it?
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Dry July. It’s about more than skipping drinks for a month. The charitable purpose is to raise funds that support services for cancer patients. However, it can provide motivation to improve your health by avoiding alcohol.
Please keep in mind, this article was not written by a medical professional and it does not serve as health advice.
This challenge raises funds, “…provide invaluable services to cancer patients, their families and carers – whether it’s a lift to a life-saving appointment, guidance from a specialist nurse, connection to an informative voice, access to therapy programs or a bed close to treatment.”
But if a good cause motivates people to drink less alcohol, that’s as good a reason as any. The web site for Dry July lists these benefits: clearing your head, more energy, sleeping better, losing weight, healthier skin and feeling achievement.
Bars - there’s a health decision to make. Image: Unsplash.
Alcohol disrupts sleep. According to Healthline, “ResearchersTrusted Source have found that the sedative effect only lasts for the first part of the night, though. People who consume alcohol before bed don’t wake up as often during the first few hours of sleep. If they do, it’s for shorter periods. Once that effect wears off, alcohol starts having the opposite effect.”
It also not good for mental health. Headspace explains, “It’s a depressant which means that it slows down the brain.” This stuff can impact mood, energy, sleep, concentration and memory. We all know it can influence behaviour too.
These drinks can also have a lasting impact on physical health. There is an increased risk of cancer. Pink Lotus teaches women about the cause for this, “The role of decreasing your breast-cancer risk with alcohol avoidance comes down in part to folate, also known as its synthetic name folic acid.” I just learned a new fact - alcohol inhibits the body’s absorption of calcium. Seriously, I there are long lists and detailed descriptions about what alcohol does to the body.
Compassion - the challenge is possible but might not be easy
If I was going to do a Dry July, it would feel too easy. I can count, on one hand, the glasses of wine I drank in the first half of this year. And that’s the only sort I had. But it is not so simple for most people. Our culture uses alcohol for social purposes and celebrations - champagne to toast a wedding, the pub at the end of a Friday and so on. It also can become a habit. You could be in the routine of having a drink when you get home or with dinner. But this Dry July could be a useful motivator (and excuse) for change.
What to drink instead of alcoholic drinks
Water is the most obvious choice and also the healthiest. Get hydrated. It can improve tiredness, which is important on a long night out. Let’s face it. You probably don’t need me to tell you why we need water. It’s just worth saying - this is an essential drink and a clear alternative.
Kombucha typically has a tiny percentage of alcohol as a by-product. I personally choose this fermented beverage on a regular basis and I identify as rarely drinking alcohol. And the commercial kombucha brands are usually officially non-alcoholic. But with a portion of a percentage being present, I don’t know if you should drink this one before taking a test. But is it ok for the purposes of a Dry July? I think so.
Would you drink kombucha during dry July? Image: Unsplash, edited.
If you want a fizzy drink, order a soda water at the bar. Don’t swap the alcohol for unhealthy sugary drinks. I like to request sparkling water with a splash of orange juice for flavour. Most or all bars will have these ingredients. They shouldn’t mind creating this simple custom order. I just grew away from alcoholic drinks. I also feel aware of the health benefits around avoiding the booze.
Here is a way to enjoy fizzy drinks at home - get a SodaStream. The machine can make carbonated water in a reusable bottle. You could save a lot of packaging. The drinks are likely to be cheaper too. You can add any flavourings after turning the water bubbly. Move beyond the sugary syrups and use fruits to flavour instead.
Soda water is a simple option. Image: Unsplash.
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