Why Drinking Less Is the Key to Unlocking Your Full Potential

Many of us start out with big goals and dreams of unlocking our full potential and testing the limits of what’s possible. And inspiring voices around us encourage us to do so. For example, poet Ben Okri writes, 

“Our time here is magic! It’s the only space you have to realize whatever it is that is beautiful, whatever is true, whatever is great, whatever is potential, whatever is rare, whatever is unique, in. It’s the only space.”

However, that’s sometimes easier said than done. Our dreams have a way of getting put on the back burner, and we might find ourselves feeling as if we can never quite catch up, let alone have extra time to explore the range of our possibilities. There are always deadlines to meet, lunches to pack, bills to pay, dishes to clean — and before we know it, it’s the next day, and we have to do it all over again. And so we wait, hoping that one day we’ll finally have enough time, energy, and resources to unlock that “highest potential.”

But what if the trick behind unlocking your full potential was as simple as cutting back on your nightly wine habit? Let’s dive into the science behind alcohol’s impact on the brain and explore why drinking less might just be the key to unlocking your full potential.

Benefits of Drinking Less Alcohol

If you’re looking for reasons to abstain from alcohol, we’ve got you! It’s no secret that alcohol isn’t great for us — in fact, the World Health Organization, or WHO,
maintains no amount is considered safe for our health. But let’s look on the bright side of things: the benefits of reducing alcohol consumption. What happens when we drink less? Get ready for some great news ahead!

1. Build Your Brainpower

“A typical neuron makes about ten thousand connections to neighboring neurons. Given the billions of neurons, this means there are as many connections in a single cubic centimeter of brain tissue as there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy.” — David Eagleman

Did you know that alcohol can shrink your brain? And that’s not all! Here’s an overview of how alcohol affects the brain — and how reducing the amount we drink can boost our brainpower.

• Alcohol shrinks the cerebral cortex, but the volume gets restored when we drink less. Studies show that even in moderate drinkers, alcohol leads to a reduction in brain volume and slows down activity in the cerebral cortex — the area of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking. But thanks to our brain’s amazing power to repair itself through neurogenesis, this effect can be reversed! Research shows that just 7.3 months of going booze-free allowed the brains of patients diagnosed with AUD to regain the lost volume and catch up to their healthy counterparts.
• Our memory improves when we cut back. The memory center of the brain — the hippocampus — also feels the damaging effects of booze. Science shows that it shrinks in size, making it harder for the brain to store new memories. When we drink less, however, our memory starts to improve, and the hippocampus recovers the lost volume through the power of neurogenesis.
• Our capacity for learning increases. Alcohol puts the brakes on the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory, and enhances GABA, which slows down brain activity and leads to alcohol’s relaxing effects. The result? Slower cognitive processing and reaction times. Besides, that relaxation doesn’t last — in an effort to balance things out, our brain releases dynorphin, leading to next-day anxiety.

Want to learn more? Check out “How Alcohol Affects the Brain: A Look Into the Science.”

Why Brainpower Is Big 

One of the best benefits of drinking less alcohol, increased brainpower is a key aspect of unlocking our full potential. Here’s why:

• We get more productive. Research shows that reducing alcohol increases productivity. Imagine gaining a whole extra hour or two in a workday!
• We get smarter. People who drink less score higher on cognitive tests — so next time you skip that drink, imagine you’re leveling up your brainpower!
• Knowledge is power. Learning to code, picking up a new language — whatever it is, we can do it easier and faster when we drink less!
• A better memory opens doors. We can remember names and important details at work or pursue a certification that requires intensive study.
• We can make better financial decisions. Everything from finding a new apartment to making smart choices at the supermarket becomes more efficient. More savings, here we come! 

Improving our brainpower brings us one step closer to achieving our full potential, but there are so many more benefits of drinking less!

2. Revamp Your Physical Health

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn

It’s not just our brain that benefits from drinking less — the rest of our body does too. Just about every system in the body feels alcohol’s negative effects — and the positive effects that happen when we drink less! For an in-depth look, check out “How Does Alcohol Affect Your Health?” For now, here’s the gist:

• Our heart gets healthier. Alcohol is notorious for raising blood pressure, causing potentially dangerous arrhythmia, and even leading to cardiomyopathy. However, within weeks of cutting back, our heart starts to recover. Get ready for those Apple Watch notifications telling you your resting heart rate is lower than ever!
• Our weight loss goals are within reach. Cutting back on alcohol can also help us reach our weight goals more easily. An extra perk? Exercise gets easier without alcohol contributing to muscle degeneration or sapping our energy with a next-day hangover. Less alcohol also means faster recovery from workouts!
• We sleep better. Think alcohol helps you sleep? Think again! While it makes us initially drowsy, the rebound effect often leaves us restless throughout the second half of the night. We wake up groggy, even though we spent well over eight hours under the covers (or on top of them, if we had alcohol-related night sweats). The worst part? Booze robs us of the most restorative REM stages of sleep. But there’s good news! Within days of drinking less, our sleep gets better and our body starts to benefit from the restorative power of slumber once again.
• We get sick less often. Alcohol does a number on our immune system by causing inflammation, overtasking the body’s resources, and directly interfering with immune cells and barriers against pathogens. All of this changes when we quit or cut back! That means fewer colds, fewer sick days, and better overall well-being.
• Our bones get stronger. Did you know that alcohol can make our bones weaker, contributing to osteoporosis as we age? When we drink less, we reverse the effects, leading to stronger bones (as well as a lower risk of falls).
• Our risk of chronic diseases plummets. While alcohol is a known carcinogen, drinking less or quitting altogether is scientifically proven to lower our risk. Plus, excessive drinking is linked to diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and other chronic conditions. Our risks go down as soon as we put down the bottle!

These changes are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the perks we can look forward to when we start drinking less. It’s enough motivation all on its own — and the great news is that we start feeling the benefits within weeks of lowering our intake. Get ready to feel your best!

Why Physical Health Is Priceless

It’s obvious that being in good physical shape comes with plenty of benefits, but how does it help us fulfill our full potential? Let’s take a closer look:

• We get more done throughout the day. When we wake up refreshed and ready for the day, we’re more productive. That means we can squeeze in that extra reading session, foreign language class, or meeting with a work colleague to bounce off ideas, making us more effective all around.
• We have more time to spend on professional and personal pursuits. With more energy and less time spent in bed nursing hangovers, we have the gift of more time on our hands. Whether we dedicate it to work, family, or hobbies, all those hours add up!
• We add valuable years to our life. Best of all? We have more time for everything we want to achieve in life. Drinking less helps us live a long, healthy life while reaching our goals and having fun along the way.

Our body works hard for us every day, and it will thank us for the reduction in booze. It’s a great way to say thank you to your body and get closer to unlocking your full potential!

3. Get Off the Mood Roller Coaster

“When our emotional health is in a bad state, so is our level of self-esteem. We have to slow down and deal with what is troubling us, so that we can enjoy the simple joy of being happy and at peace with ourselves.” ― Jess C. Scott

Just as our physical health takes a hit when alcohol becomes a frequent presence, our emotional health suffers too. As we already know, alcohol throws a wrench in the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in our brain. While this imbalance saps our brainpower, it also tanks our mood! Here’s how the situation improves when we drink less:

Our moods get more even. Without alcohol rocking the boat by disrupting the balance of our neurotransmitters, triggering the stress response, and activating the amygdala (the brain’s emotional center), the emotional seas get calmer.

Depression lifts. Remember how we said alcohol messes with our sleep? Science shows those sleep disturbances are also linked to depression. Besides, as a depressant, alcohol can lead to a low mood all on its own. When we drink less, things start looking up! Studies show that symptoms of depression tend to lift within weeks of leaving alcohol behind.

Want to dig deeper? Check out “Understanding How Alcohol Affects Mood Stability

Why Our Mood Matters

Here’s how emotional stability helps us reach our full potential:

• Being emotionally healthy makes life easier. It’s no secret that all those mood swings take a toll. At the very least, they’re tiring. Plus, saying something we later regret because alcohol left us feeling irritable can put us in damage control mode more often than we’d like. Wouldn’t it be nice to leave all that behind?
• We become more pleasant to be around. By being more level-headed, we end up drawing people to us. That means better friendships, more productive work relationships, and more pleasant interactions all around.
• We get respect at work. Nobody likes a moody co-worker. Just think of Meredith Palmer from The Office, whose behavior and moods get erratic as her drinking problem gets worse. It’s no coincidence!

These positive changes in mood don’t only affect us physically, but they help us achieve a healthy social and professional life as well!

4. Get More Creative

“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” ― Rumi

We all hear about writers, artists, and musicians who were also big drinkers. Ernest Hemingway claimed he drank “to make other people more interesting,” but if we look carefully, it becomes obvious that the creative accomplishments happened in spite of — not because of — the booze.

Sadly, alcohol cut short many talented lives — F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edgar Allen Poe, Truman Capote, to name few. And those who eventually sought treatment emerged more creative and productive than ever. John Cheever, for one, came out of rehab saying “twenty pounds lighter and howling with pleasure.”

Why Creativity Is Crucial

Why is creativity important to unlocking our full potential? Here are a few reasons:

• We can see beyond the obvious. Creativity allows us to look at situations from a different angle, finding innovative solutions that we might otherwise miss.
• We absorb information better. Creativity fosters curiosity. We get genuinely interested in life around us and end up learning and retaining information more effectively.
• The act of being creative boosts dopamine. Science says that creative pursuits are a natural way to increase dopamine and oxytocin levels. Hello happiness, goodbye cravings!
• We become more resilient. Creativity lets us see failures as opportunities, allowing us to learn from setbacks and keep going.
• Creativity gives us an edge. At the workplace, that creative twist we can put on an idea during a team meeting or job interview can set us apart from the competition. It’s all about what we can offer, and being valuable to our employer eventually helps us unlock our full professional potential.

With the combination of our improved brainpower and enhanced creativity, we’re setting ourselves up for success both in and out of the workplace!

5. Build Better Relationships

“There is no happiness like that of being loved by your fellow creatures, and feeling that your presence is an addition to their comfort.” ― Charlotte Brontë

Alcohol is often seen as “social glue,” but in reality it’s anything but. Science says that alcohol doesn’t foster authentic social interactions. The illusion of camaraderie is superficial and quickly fades, often giving way to teary confessionals or inexplicable irritations. Here’s why drinking less is the key to unlocking our full “friendship potential”:

• We think before we act (or talk). With our prefrontal cortex back in the driver’s seat, we’re in control of our actions. No more next-day regrets and rounds of apologies for the faux pas from the night before!
• We become better listeners. Ever notice how drunk people aren’t that great at listening? In sobriety, we can give our conversation partner our full attention, building trust and fostering authentic interaction.
• We remember conversations (and names). What good is a “great conversation” if we don’t remember it the next morning? Without booze clouding our memory, we get to keep those precious moments and experiences for years to come.
• Our empathy deepens. Alcohol has a complex relationship with mirror neurons — circuits that fire when we watch someone else engaging in an action or experiencing an emotion. We drink partly due to the mirror neuron effect. However, at the same time, drinking interferes with the mirror neuron system when it comes to our ability to perceive and respond to others’ emotions — in other words, we tend to become less empathetic when we drink. Not so in sobriety!

Want some tips on rebuilding your social life in sobriety? Check out “Reconstructing Your Social Life and Developing Healthy Habits After Going Alcohol-Free” for some advice!

Why Friendships Are Fundamental

• Friendships are a direct source of happiness and support. We’re social creatures, and it’s well near impossible for us to reach our full potential without a solid support system behind us. Friends support us when things get rough, cheer us on, and provide companionship throughout life.
• We develop empathy through relationships. Just like anything else, empathy — the ability to relate to others at an authentic level and connect in meaningful ways — requires practice. Being around “our people” enhances our emotional intelligence and makes us better human beings as we learn to commiserate with others’ pain and enjoy their successes.
• Networking helps us reach our professional potential. You know how some people say networking is key? Experience shows that it’s true! Meaningful connections can lead to new opportunities, advice, and pathways to personal and career advancement.
• We learn from others. Every interaction with someone is an opportunity to learn something new, whether it’s a life lesson, a professional skill, or a new perspective.

Having a healthy social life goes hand-in-hand with the other aspects of health we mentioned, and is equally as affected when we cut out the booze!

Tips To Drink Less

So now that we know how drinking less can transform our life, how do we go about it? Here are some tips to start with:

• Start with a positive mindset. First of all, approach the situation with optimism. Don’t worry about the past — it’s time to focus on the future! There are so many wonderful perks of drinking less (or ditching alcohol altogether) waiting for you. 
• Take stock of your patterns. Next, take a good look at your current drinking patterns. Don’t judge yourself — instead, approach the project like a scientist gathering data. Then, set some goals for yourself to quit or cut back.
• Track your progress. As you start drinking less or exploring sobriety, track your progress along the way. Doing so will help you stay accountable and stick to your goals.
• Celebrate your wins. Had a good week? Time to celebrate! Treat yourself by watching an extra episode of your favorite show, buying a new pair of boots, or whatever else strikes your fancy (and fits your budget).
• Share your story. As Davig Goggins writes, “Remembering what you’ve been through and how that has strengthened your mindset can lift you out of a negative brain loop and help you bypass those weak, one-second impulses to give in.” One way to remember how far you’ve come is to share your story with others. Plus, you’re helping them do the same by showing that it’s possible to drink less and thrive!

And remember, Reframe is here to support you, cheer you on, and connect you to a thriving community of like-minded people who are eager to share their own stories and advice!

An Inside Job

In the end, unlocking our full potential is in our hands. In the words of writer Anne Lamott,

“There is almost nothing outside of you that will help in any kind of lasting way, unless you’re waiting for an organ. You can’t buy, achieve or date serenity and peace of mind … it’s an inside job.”

Let’s remember that this inner peace is exactly what we need to let our true self emerge. And no external factor — let alone alcohol, which often ends up derailing us from our life path — can help us achieve it. If we give our potential room to grow and thrive, there’s no limit to what we can achieve!