The idea of a going Sober for October is an initiative started by the charity MacMillan Cancer Support to encourage people to raise money through sponsorship. The scheme aims to benefit not only the victims of cancer which the charity supports, but also the individuals that participate by improving their mental and physical health. So, here are some reasons to think about joining in:
Feel healthier
Alcohol contains a high amount of sugar and calories, not to mention the late-night or hungover takeaways – so if you’re looking to lose a few pounds before Christmas then cutting booze out of your diet could be a great way to achieve your goals!
Additionally, alcohol can be very detrimental to the quality of your sleep cycle, by putting you into a longer lasting stage of deep sleep so that you miss out on the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) stage which is more restful. So, it is likely you will find yourself waking up easier and with more energy if you choose to go sober for a month.
Furthermore, by getting more rest it is likely that you will find yourself with healthier, clearer skin.
You may find that with all this newfound energy and time, not being spent hungover at the weekend, you could try and get outdoors into nature, take up a new hobby or do some exercise.
Feel Happier – mental health
What better way to improve your mood than doing something good for others? If you choose to raise money for charity then you can feel proud and accomplished knowing that you have done a good deed for the month.
Alcohol is a depressant and has been known to increase anxiety the next day, so if you find yourself suffering with these emotions after a heavy weekend then giving up may be a great way to help.
If you’re financial situation is causing you stress and anxiety, then giving up alcohol could be a great way to save money at the end of the month. Use this Macmillan tool to find out how much you could save on your weekly budget.
By: Maggie Elliott
