What Is a Sober Month and Why Should You Take One?
Taking a break from alcohol can do the body some good, especially after the holidays — which are often accompanied by many cocktails, glasses of wine, and pints of beer.
But the benefits of staying sober can be much more long-lasting than letting your body take a break from alcohol. Abstaining from alcohol use can have dozens of benefits for your physical health and mental health.
If you feel like your relationship with substance use needs some improvement, or you want to quit drinking altogether, then keep reading this guide from Sunwink. We’ll explain what happens during a sober month, why it’s so important, and what benefits you can expect after taking one.
What Is a Sober Month?
A sober month — also known as “Dry January” or “Sober October” — is essentially a month when you stop drinking alcohol completely. It’s commonly done at the start of a new year, which is thought to give the body a break from overindulging. But any month can be a sober month.
In addition to giving their body a chance to detox from alcohol, there are many other reasons to take a sober month. Some people want a healthier way to unwind after a long day, while others may want to look out for their overall wellness.
And the world is catching on to the benefits of limiting their drinking. As a matter of fact, younger generations are much less likely to consume alcohol. In the next section, we’ll explain exactly why that’s the case.
Why Are Younger Generations Drinking Less?
A recent study found that between 2002 and 2018, the number of young adults who abstain from alcohol increased to 28% — a significant rise from the previous decade.
The study’s authors listed many theories as to why that was the case, but the most compelling? Younger generations may be more health-conscious.
Those limiting their alcohol consumption may be more likely to be concerned with the way it impacts their weight, hormones, immunity, mood, and even their social media image.
Besides, many are turning to other ways to relax and unwind — some of which weren’t available before. Our Sparkling Superfood Tonics are one of the first things that come to mind.
But while the trend towards going sober is great news, it hasn’t fully caught on. Thousands of adults drink alcohol regularly, sometimes in excessive amounts.
If you’re looking to take a break from alcohol for any reason, you just might notice a host of benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons why you may want to consider a sober month.
Why Should You Take a Sober Month?
A sober month is a perfect opportunity to assess your relationship with alcohol and decrease your overall alcohol intake.
In the first place, a sober month can break up the cycle of alcohol addiction for you or a loved one. If you find yourself reaching for a glass of wine every time you’re stressed out, nixing this option can force you to deal with whatever emotions come up — instead of masking them with alcohol and facing a hangover the next day.
During a sober month, anyone from light to heavy drinkers can explore the ways they might use alcohol as a crutch. Some people use alcohol to unwind in social gatherings, some use it as an excuse to gather with friends, and some use alcohol to lift their moods. Surely, there are much better ways to get through these situations — and to enjoy them.
And the value of taking a sober month is that it’s just long enough to reveal if your relationship with alcohol is problematic. If you find yourself unable to go without alcohol for so long, then maybe it’s a sign of a deeper problem.
Besides that, abstaining from alcohol for 30 days can reveal the full health benefits of living sober.
While we all want immediate results from new habits, it takes a while for our bodies to bounce back from alcohol’s negative effects. However, once this begins to happen, the benefits you experience may be amazing.
What Are the Benefits of a Sober Month?
There are many benefits of taking a sober month — many of which stem beyond your health.
In the first place, a sober month is pretty great for your bank account. All the money you spend on happy hour, glasses of wine with dinner, and cocktails at a club can leave you with a huge chunk of change at the end of the month.
You may also find that there are simply other ways you might want to spend your time. You can upgrade your fitness routine, pick up a new hobby, or try new social activities, like playing team sports.
And then there are the amazing health benefits. Abstaining from alcohol may speed up weight loss, clear up your skin, boost your mood, and get rid of that brain fog.
One study confirmed all of these benefits (and then some) — the researchers found that, at the end of a sober month, people experienced the following:
- Enhanced awareness of relationship with alcohol
- Greater control of drinking habits
- Greater understanding of reasons for drinking
- Higher quality of sleep
- Higher energy levels
- Effortless weight loss
- Improved concentration, thinking, and memory
- Clearer skin
- Improved overall health & well-being
The best part is that some of these benefits may be visible after just a week of no alcohol.
But, of course, to experience the full benefits of staying sober, a sober month is ideal. And after taking a sober month, you may find yourself feeling better in ways that you might not have realized you needed to. And Sunwink is here to help you do just that.
Of course, treating alcohol as an occasional treat rather than an indulgence can help minimize the negative effects. But if you’re interested in trying a sober month, you might find that the occasional drink just isn’t worth it.
Booze Is Out. Sunwink Is In.
There are other delicious beverages to sip at the end of the day. Sunwink’s Sparkling Superfood Tonics — like our Lemon-Rose Uplift, Immunity Berry, and Hibiscus Mint Unwind — can make for yummy mocktails made with good-for-you Superfoods.
If you want a delicious way to unwind and relax at the end of the day, get yourself our Mocktail Tonic Pack. (We promise, it’s even better with friends!)
Sources:
Peer Reviewed: Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence Among US Adult Drinkers, 2009–2011 | NIH.gov
