Dry January has officially started and for many people, ‘going dry’ for the month offers an opportunity to take stock of their drinking habits as part of a wider approach to healthier living - especially after the excesses of the festive season!
Going sober as part of Dry January focuses people’s attention on how much they’re drinking (and often why).
Did you know, cutting out alcohol immediately impacts upon lifestyle - allowing for better sleep, focus, energy and more time for other things?
Weight loss is often an unintended although welcome benefit, as well. Some good tips to reduce consumption, include pouring smaller glass sizes and taking two or three ‘drink free’ days a week.
There are many reasons why people drink - helping them to unwind after a busy or stressful day is just one of them. If this is a daily occurrence, then you may end up regularly drinking more than may be safe in the long-term.
According to Dr Yiannis Kallis, Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist at The London Clinic, a long term approach to our health and our drinking habits is really what’s needed.
“Think about the long term solutions to lowering your alcohol consumption and plan to do it gradually,” he says.
“The risks to health from excessive alcohol consumption tend to develop over long periods of time, but they are much more effectively managed and/or prevented, if there is early recognition that you may be drinking too much.”
According to Dr Kallis, the New Year is also a time where we should reflect on our diets and make exercise a key part of our routine.
Being active is beneficial in so many ways. It’s been shown to:
- reduce blood pressure
- aid a good night’s sleep
- have a positive impact on our musculoskeletal system and mental health
Meet the expert
Dr Yiannis Kallis is a Consultant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist specialising in liver, pancreas and bile ducts disease
Further information
Find out more about FibroScan - a simple, quick and pain-free way of detecting the early signs of long-term liver damage
Disclaimer
Any views expressed in this article are those of the featured specialist(s) and should not be considered to be the views or official policy of The London Clinic.