Happy 2016 to all! The start of a new year always brings some contemplation to my life, as the question of what I wish to accomplish this year comes to mind. This month I noticed the term ‘Dry January’ for the concept of being sober for the entire month of January, which is 31 whole days! The idea is not a new one, but seems to have been popularized in the UK recently and brings awareness to our alcohol consumption patterns. I must admit that abstaining from alcohol for an entire month seems too restrictive to me. I also say the same about diets, cleanses and crazy workouts, as I believe in developing sustainable healthy habits. Periodically, I have been able to not drink for a week, and the longest I have managed is 20 days, but this happened naturally, as I do not have the discipline to say I won’t have a drink for a week let alone a whole month.
No health and wellness expert could say that drinking alcohol is a great idea. However, it seems to be that some alcohol in moderation can be beneficial to overall health. The big question is always what is the right amount to be moderate? Self observation, monitoring and some mild discipline are the key lifelong habits to learn and practice for being healthy in relation to food and drink. I have long recommended and practiced the habit of counting the number of alcoholic drinks I have each week and recording it in a calendar to keep myself in check http://www.vivianlaw.ca/how-many-drinks-count-them/
Booze is different than food, as it has no nutritive value, so I feel it is always important to ask and monitor what is driving us to drink? How often do you drink? How does drinking make you feel? I have heard from many people that they are not able to handle alcohol in the same degree as they get older. That may be true, especially if you can feel the ill effects in your well being and energy level. It is a wise idea to cut back on your alcohol consumption if you are not feeling your best. It is not because you are getting old, however, it is just always a good idea to take care of yourself at any moment. New guidelines in Canada recommend at least one or more days a week of not consuming any alcohol. I would agree with this recommendation as your liver could use a break from processing alcohol at least one day a week.
I love to enjoy a drink for many different occasions, so making life good recommends (ac)counting the drinks you enjoy in care of yourself,