Sober October: a chance to reset
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Sober October is just that - a month of abstaining from alcohol. Your body and your brain can really benefit from the break. Dr. Frank Spinelli is a General Practitioner and works with people who are looking to make a change.
"You do notice changes in your sleep, you're not as bloated or not as inflamed. People also say they're eating better. People also say they lose weight! If you think about it, alcohol is just sugar," Dr. Spinelli says.
A month without alcohol can also offer an opportunity to examine your drinking habits and how alcohol fits in to your daily life. You may find you want to make a change.
"Most people drink for the wrong reason: they're stressed out, sad, lonely, bored or angry, and when you eliminate alcohol you can understand why you're maybe being triggered," Spinelli said.
Here are some tips to make it work:
Tell people your plan. Letting friends and family know upfront cuts down on peer pressure and awkward "just one drink?" moments, and some may even join you for accountability.
Stock up on good alternatives. Keep sparkling water, kombucha, craft sodas, or quality non-alcoholic beers and spirits on hand
Identify your triggers. Notice when you'd normally d
Track your wins. Log the money saved, better sleep, clearer mornings, or mood changes. Seeing progress keeps motivation up
Be kind to yourself if you slip.
"Don't think of slip ups as failures. Think of them as data points and just get right back on it the next day. Regardless what your problems you have, if you don't address them directly, you will never have a better relationship with alcohol. You need to do both," Spinelli says.
You don't have to stop cold turkey - even cutting back could have benefits. If you're going for it, good luck!
