8 Reasons to Reduce Your Drinking This Summer
15th
MAY,2019
Updated 29/03/2023
Lastest Update 30/06/2023
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes, 11 seconds.
We know how tempting it is to drink more with the long summer days, sunny afternoons in beer gardens and holidays. It’s easy losing control of your alcohol consumption. Here are eight great reasons to drink less and focus on your health.
There are multiple reasons to reduce your alcohol consumption and drinking levels, and we take a look in this latest updated health blog on some of the cultural changes in alcohol consumption and the latest science behind its effects on the body.
Latest consumer trends in drinking in the UK
Some surveys averaged the weight gain during lockdown at half a stone per person. However, we think these figures are drastically low! Anecdotally, we know of many people who struggled with alcohol, food and weight gain during COVID-19, and many of our members are back to their pre covid bodies. Are you? With summer fast approaching, now is a great time to consider your drinking levels.
Let’s talk about generational attitudes towards drinking
Do you know how millennials are sometimes labelled “weak” and “entitled”? Some people believe it’s because technology and modern comforts make things easier for us. This stereotype suggests millennials aren’t as tough as our parents and grandparents.
Alcohol and Brain Health
Picture your brain as the ultimate command centre, coordinating every move you make. Alcohol, when consumed, acts as a disruptor to this system. It slows down the communication between brain cells, impairing their ability to send and receive messages efficiently. Think of it like a hiccup in your brain’s circuitry – your thoughts and actions may become less coordinated, affecting your overall cognitive performance.
One of the most crucial brain functions affected by alcohol is memory. Just as a personal trainer emphasizes the importance of a sharp memory for optimal performance, alcohol can hinder your ability to form and recall new memories. Excessive drinking can lead to blackouts or temporary gaps in memory, making it harder to retain information and learn new skills effectively.
Alcohol has also been shown to shrink your grey matter, reducing its volume and performance. This equals a greater risk of cognitive decline as you age and puts you at risk of cancers and short-term memory issues.
Additionally, alcohol can have a significant impact on your mood and emotions. You might be familiar with the term “liquid courage,” which refers to alcohol’s ability to lower inhibitions and make you feel more confident in social situations. However, excessive alcohol consumption can also lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, disrupting the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in your brain responsible for regulating your emotions.
Now, this stereotype extends to the drinking culture as well. It’s believed that older generations were more resilient in their drinking habits. There’s this idea in the UK that drinking more frequently and in larger quantities is a testament to one’s strength. People often assume that baby boomers and Generation X outperformed millennials regarding alcohol consumption.
But let’s take a closer look at the data and see if this generational shift in drinking is real or just a perception.
In a survey conducted in 2019, researchers examined the drinking habits of younger millennials, older millennials, generation X, baby boomers, and the silent generation. The findings show a downward trend in generational drinking frequency.
So, it’s not as simple as saying, “Millennials drink less than their parents.” The study revealed that around 5.9% of older millennials reported drinking often or every day, compared to 5.6% of Generation X and 6.0% of boomers.
However, the trend shifts when we focus on the so-called younger millennials. Only 2.4% of this group claimed to drink often. So, it’s not entirely accurate to say that all millennials drink less than their parents, but the younger group certainly does. This suggests a decline in terms of which generation consumes more alcohol. When we have data available for Generation Z, we’ll likely see this downward trend continue.
OUR TOP REASONS TO REDUCE YOUR DRINKING NOW!
1) LESS CRINGEWORTHY MOMENTS!
It may seem like an excellent idea to take a selfie with a body part exposed/or to get off with someone you’ve always fancied/or to tell your boss just what you think of them. Hysterical at the time; toe-curlingly terrible when the truth lands and a decision you make under the influence could have seriously permanent consequence. Alcohol weakens your judgement and your senses… drinking to the point where you can’t make a sensible decision is never a great idea. Badly thought out texts. ‘Drink-dialling’ your ex for a quick reunion – it’s all there for the regretting! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
2) ALCOHOL REDUCES YOUR WILLPOWER
You’ve been eating healthily and exercising for ages. You’re pleased with the progress and beginning to see results. And then you hit the bottle. Numerous things will happen including a huge spike in your appetite (the ‘munchies’ will definitely take over). With all the BBQ food around, it’s a guarantee you won’t be able to resist, and before you know it you’ve devoured thousands of calories disguised in cocktails, burgers, ice creams and so on. On a calorie basis, that could take several days to work off! Even with a Personal Trainer pushing you HARD!
3) YOU WILL LOSE PRECIOUS TIME
A real hangover will steal numerous days away from you. The obvious signs are nausea, cramps, headaches and the general all over pain. This is all caused by dehydration – your poor brain is literally pulsating due to lack of water. That’s day one. Then add in the following sleepless night, the tiredness the day after and the general malaise. You have poisoned yourself and your body isn’t going to bounce back straight away. And of course, the older you are, the harder it gets.
4) IT’S ALWAYS EXPENSIVE
Drink is where bars and restaurants make the majority of their money. And the more people drink, the more they are willing to spend. And when it gets to rounds – just where does it all stop? How about a few shots for your pretty mates? Or the strangers who support your home team? Yeah – go on – it’s sunny, and you are feeling generous. Throw in the food to service the munchies afterwards, and the cab ride home…. Then, check your bank statement. Now ask if it was really worth it?!
5) IT CAN BE DANGEROUS
We have all chuckled at the videos on YouTube – someone drunk staggering around the street, making a fool of themselves. But what we’re watching is a human being who is literally out of control. They can’t walk, they can’t focus, and they can’t make a rational decision. They’re literally about as capable as your average toddler. So they stand to lose their wallet or be attacked or hurt in some way. Being out of control of your mind and body is never a good idea!
6) YOUR BODY WILL BECOME OUT OF SYNC
Heavy drinking over a period of time will throw off your body clock. Sleep will become harder– it’ll be more difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep. Or you will sleep so heavily that you’ll wake up groggy; neither is ideal. It is vital to have a consistent pattern of sleep to ensure your cells repair and your nervous system is functioning well. It seriously affects the quality of your SLEEP!
7) NEXT-DAY DRIVING WILL BE COMPROMISED
Alcohol lingering in your system will make you more likely to fail a breathalyser test. You may feel ok, but if you have built up a tolerance to alcohol, then it’s likely to still be in your system – waiting to be detected. And, of course, during the summer season, the police are much more on top of this. The last thing you want is to lose your driving license or, even worse, injure someone.
8) DRINKING CAN REINFORCE NEGATIVE BELIEFS
You know that nagging voice inside that says, ‘I’m not good enough’ / ‘I can’t dance without alcohol’ / ‘I’m funnier if I drink’ / ‘I’m more popular when I drink’?
These are negative beliefs about yourself. But the truth is (for example) – nothing can stop you dancing – except yourself. You can dance with or without alcohol – it’s your choice. But because you’ve been re-enforcing that belief for years, that’s what you continue to do.
Henry Ford once said, ‘Whether You Believe You Can or Believe You Can’t – you’re right’. You can shift your reality. Alcohol does not have to be involved in that process.
Here at Ultimate Fitness, we hope these tips help you have a safer, happier summer.
BE HAPPY, BE HEALTHY, BE FIT!