If you're struggling with anxiety, drinking alcohol may not be the best coping strategy. Here's why, and how to cut back on drinking.
Anxiety can often make us feel like we’re trapped. Our thoughts race, creating an incessant chatter that runs through our minds. Our chests tighten, and our hearts beat increasingly faster. Our attention narrows, so that all we’re able to focus on is the future (and everything that can go wrong!). These emotions and sensations can feel like they’ll never pass, that they’re our reality.
We all deal with anxiety, but when this anxiety is prolonged and difficult to control, it can point to an anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 19.1% of U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder in the previous year, and approximately 31.1% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. These disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences.
Though we often turn to alcohol to relieve anxiety, this ends up perpetuating — and worsening — our anxiety in the long run. Let’s find out why.
Several factors play into anxiety. We may have a genetic predisposition for it, and our life experiences and environment can trigger symptoms. Stressful events, such as losing a job or going through a divorce, can also trigger anxiety. Other risk factors for anxiety include depression, alcohol misuse, and chronic medical conditions.
There’s a common tendency to grab a drink to “take the edge off.” This temporary respite from anxiety can keep us reaching for the bottle whenever we need to quiet the internal noise — after a hectic day at the office, before a crowded social event, in preparation for a presentation. Over time, “taking the edge off” can become a bad habit, making us dependent on alcohol to relieve our anxiety. Not only this, but our brain chemistry changes: we start experiencing even more anxiety with prolonged alcohol use. We end up in a complicated cycle, and this can be tougher to break than the anxiety alone.
Most people are aware that drinking alcohol can cause short-term effects, like feelings of relaxation or sleepiness. What many people don't realize is that with habitual use, alcohol also throws off the delicate chemical balance inside our brains.
What exactly is going on here? To find out, we turned to Dr. Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT. She sums it up by saying: “Alcohol temporarily increases levels of the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators GABA, glycine, and adenosine (associated with decreasing anxiety), dopamine (implicated in motivation), and serotonin (connected to feelings of happiness). However, once the temporary effects of alcohol leave the system, production of all of these neurotransmitters is impaired, leaving [us] more anxious, less motivated, and at increased risk of depression.”
Dr. Vinall also discusses “hangxiety” — which, although not a formal medical diagnosis, describes the increased feelings of anxiety that can arise during a hangover. “Such feelings are exacerbated by worry about the effects of [our] uninhibited actions during the drinking period as [we] examine them soberly,” she says. This can also lead to feelings of embarrassment or shame.
Alcohol withdrawal can also be a major culprit behind anxiety. Withdrawal is a particularly vulnerable period for the brain and body, as uncomfortable symptoms — sweating, shaking, sleep difficulties, and mood difficulties — manifest. People who are dependent on alcohol may find that they need to drink again to counteract these sensations.
While a drastic approach to cutting back can seem like the easiest answer, it can actually be medically dangerous, intensifying the body’s withdrawal symptoms. When changing your drinking habits, start by cutting back gradually — decreasing your intake by 10% a week is a safe starting point.
People with anxiety are more likely to start drinking alcohol at a young age. This can be due to a variety of factors:
For teens with these issues, drinking alcohol is a way to self-medicate their symptoms. Since their brains are still developing, young people are more susceptible to becoming dependent on alcohol. This can lead to dangerous consequences, like an increased risk of drunk driving, engaging in violent behavior, acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, and long-term addiction.
Furthermore, peer pressure and social tendencies to encourage binge drinking can also lead to drinking in young people with anxiety.
The relationship between alcohol, anxiety, and sleep is complex. Anxiety can make our sleep worse, which can make us turn to alcohol to cope with the increased anxiety we experience the following day. Alcohol messes with our sleep, which can make us feel anxious, and therefore, we grab another nightcap the following evening. Poor sleep… well, you get the idea.
What, specifically, does alcohol do to our sleep? Dr. Vinall says, “[Alcohol’s] effects on the brain and the extra work your body is doing to metabolize the alcohol causes reduced sleep quality, with decreased slow-wave (deep) sleep, and more restless REM (dream) sleep and periods of wakefulness.” This can explain why we feel unrefreshed the next morning.
Dr. Harold Hong, a board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director of New Waters Recovery, also points out another potential issue. “Because alcohol is a diuretic, it can lead to frequent trips to the bathroom,” he says. “These disruptions in sleep can worsen symptoms of anxiety.”
We know that the relationship between alcohol and anxiety can be complicated. Dr. Hong wants individuals to know that some of us are more vulnerable to alcohol dependency than others. “Those with a family history of alcoholism or addiction, those with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, and individuals who have experienced trauma are at a greater risk of developing drinking problems,” he says.
“If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, do seek professional help,” says Dr. Hong. “A qualified healthcare provider can provide an individualized treatment plan that takes into account your specific needs and circumstances. This could include inpatient or outpatient treatment, psychotherapy, support groups, lifestyle changes, medications, and other measures to ensure a safe and healthy recovery.”
Though anxiety can be physically and emotionally taxing, we can support our bodies by cutting back on alcohol. This may not magically cure our anxiety, but we can attest to the possibility of it dramatically reducing your symptoms. In fact, several of our users have mentioned improvements in their mental health — specifically, reduction of their anxiety symptoms — as one of the biggest benefits of cutting back.
So, what are a few foundational steps you can take to start cutting back on alcohol? If you’re new to the game, here’s a good place to start.
Okay, these all sound great… but how do we go about practicing them? We’ve got you!
When you join Reframe, we’ll give you a structured, scientifically-supported program to help you reduce your alcohol consumption. There’s our Drink Tracker, insightful daily readings, community support through the Forum chat and meetings, and so much more! And with our new AI feature, you can ask questions at any time of the day — from learning a new mocktail recipe to figuring out how to cope with a craving.
Even small changes in your drinking habits can make a big difference in your overall mood and health. So take that first step! Allow yourself to move toward a life that allows you to be your best, most vibrant self.
Anxiety can often make us feel like we’re trapped. Our thoughts race, creating an incessant chatter that runs through our minds. Our chests tighten, and our hearts beat increasingly faster. Our attention narrows, so that all we’re able to focus on is the future (and everything that can go wrong!). These emotions and sensations can feel like they’ll never pass, that they’re our reality.
We all deal with anxiety, but when this anxiety is prolonged and difficult to control, it can point to an anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 19.1% of U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder in the previous year, and approximately 31.1% of U.S. adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. These disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, and life experiences.
Though we often turn to alcohol to relieve anxiety, this ends up perpetuating — and worsening — our anxiety in the long run. Let’s find out why.
Several factors play into anxiety. We may have a genetic predisposition for it, and our life experiences and environment can trigger symptoms. Stressful events, such as losing a job or going through a divorce, can also trigger anxiety. Other risk factors for anxiety include depression, alcohol misuse, and chronic medical conditions.
There’s a common tendency to grab a drink to “take the edge off.” This temporary respite from anxiety can keep us reaching for the bottle whenever we need to quiet the internal noise — after a hectic day at the office, before a crowded social event, in preparation for a presentation. Over time, “taking the edge off” can become a bad habit, making us dependent on alcohol to relieve our anxiety. Not only this, but our brain chemistry changes: we start experiencing even more anxiety with prolonged alcohol use. We end up in a complicated cycle, and this can be tougher to break than the anxiety alone.
Most people are aware that drinking alcohol can cause short-term effects, like feelings of relaxation or sleepiness. What many people don't realize is that with habitual use, alcohol also throws off the delicate chemical balance inside our brains.
What exactly is going on here? To find out, we turned to Dr. Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT. She sums it up by saying: “Alcohol temporarily increases levels of the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators GABA, glycine, and adenosine (associated with decreasing anxiety), dopamine (implicated in motivation), and serotonin (connected to feelings of happiness). However, once the temporary effects of alcohol leave the system, production of all of these neurotransmitters is impaired, leaving [us] more anxious, less motivated, and at increased risk of depression.”
Dr. Vinall also discusses “hangxiety” — which, although not a formal medical diagnosis, describes the increased feelings of anxiety that can arise during a hangover. “Such feelings are exacerbated by worry about the effects of [our] uninhibited actions during the drinking period as [we] examine them soberly,” she says. This can also lead to feelings of embarrassment or shame.
Alcohol withdrawal can also be a major culprit behind anxiety. Withdrawal is a particularly vulnerable period for the brain and body, as uncomfortable symptoms — sweating, shaking, sleep difficulties, and mood difficulties — manifest. People who are dependent on alcohol may find that they need to drink again to counteract these sensations.
While a drastic approach to cutting back can seem like the easiest answer, it can actually be medically dangerous, intensifying the body’s withdrawal symptoms. When changing your drinking habits, start by cutting back gradually — decreasing your intake by 10% a week is a safe starting point.
People with anxiety are more likely to start drinking alcohol at a young age. This can be due to a variety of factors:
For teens with these issues, drinking alcohol is a way to self-medicate their symptoms. Since their brains are still developing, young people are more susceptible to becoming dependent on alcohol. This can lead to dangerous consequences, like an increased risk of drunk driving, engaging in violent behavior, acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, and long-term addiction.
Furthermore, peer pressure and social tendencies to encourage binge drinking can also lead to drinking in young people with anxiety.
The relationship between alcohol, anxiety, and sleep is complex. Anxiety can make our sleep worse, which can make us turn to alcohol to cope with the increased anxiety we experience the following day. Alcohol messes with our sleep, which can make us feel anxious, and therefore, we grab another nightcap the following evening. Poor sleep… well, you get the idea.
What, specifically, does alcohol do to our sleep? Dr. Vinall says, “[Alcohol’s] effects on the brain and the extra work your body is doing to metabolize the alcohol causes reduced sleep quality, with decreased slow-wave (deep) sleep, and more restless REM (dream) sleep and periods of wakefulness.” This can explain why we feel unrefreshed the next morning.
Dr. Harold Hong, a board-certified psychiatrist and Medical Director of New Waters Recovery, also points out another potential issue. “Because alcohol is a diuretic, it can lead to frequent trips to the bathroom,” he says. “These disruptions in sleep can worsen symptoms of anxiety.”
We know that the relationship between alcohol and anxiety can be complicated. Dr. Hong wants individuals to know that some of us are more vulnerable to alcohol dependency than others. “Those with a family history of alcoholism or addiction, those with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety, and individuals who have experienced trauma are at a greater risk of developing drinking problems,” he says.
“If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use, do seek professional help,” says Dr. Hong. “A qualified healthcare provider can provide an individualized treatment plan that takes into account your specific needs and circumstances. This could include inpatient or outpatient treatment, psychotherapy, support groups, lifestyle changes, medications, and other measures to ensure a safe and healthy recovery.”
Though anxiety can be physically and emotionally taxing, we can support our bodies by cutting back on alcohol. This may not magically cure our anxiety, but we can attest to the possibility of it dramatically reducing your symptoms. In fact, several of our users have mentioned improvements in their mental health — specifically, reduction of their anxiety symptoms — as one of the biggest benefits of cutting back.
So, what are a few foundational steps you can take to start cutting back on alcohol? If you’re new to the game, here’s a good place to start.
Okay, these all sound great… but how do we go about practicing them? We’ve got you!
When you join Reframe, we’ll give you a structured, scientifically-supported program to help you reduce your alcohol consumption. There’s our Drink Tracker, insightful daily readings, community support through the Forum chat and meetings, and so much more! And with our new AI feature, you can ask questions at any time of the day — from learning a new mocktail recipe to figuring out how to cope with a craving.
Even small changes in your drinking habits can make a big difference in your overall mood and health. So take that first step! Allow yourself to move toward a life that allows you to be your best, most vibrant self.
Find out what's going on in your body when you drink too much alcohol. And how to make it happen less often.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
We’ve all had those mornings: opening our eyes to a world that’s spinning a bit too much, a headache that’s pounding like a drum, and a distinct feeling of regret. Yes, welcome to your hangover.
But have you ever wondered, what exactly is a hangover? And why do hangovers happen in the first place? In this post, we’ll explore what happens during a hangover, how severe hangover symptoms develop, and what we can do about it. Let’s dive in!
To understand what happens during a hangover, we first need to understand how our body processes alcohol. Why? Because even though it’s easy to forget, alcohol is actually a toxin. Every time we drink, we’re essentially poisoning ourselves. It’s no wonder we don’t feel well the next day!
Here’s how it works: when we drink, our bodies break down alcohol into several compounds, the first of which is acetaldehyde, a potent toxic chemical. While alcohol is a toxin in its own right, acetaldehyde takes it up a notch — we're talking 30 times more toxic.
The acetaldehyde is further broken down into acetate, a relatively non-toxic substance, which is eventually converted into carbon dioxide and water. But here's the catch: our body can only process alcohol so quickly. In fact, our liver can only efficiently process one standard-sized alcoholic drink per hour. If we’re downing shots like there's no tomorrow, acetaldehyde accumulates faster than our body can eliminate it. The result? A hangover!
Now that we have a general understanding of how our body processes alcohol, let’s take a closer look at how alcohol causes some of the more specific symptoms when you are nursing a hangover. So, how does it feel to be hungover?
Overall, alcohol creates a cascade of effects that throws both our body and mind off balance, making it all the more crucial to consider if the momentary high of drinking is worth the physical discomfort and emotional toll the next day.
Are some people more likely to develop a hangover than others? Perhaps you’ve noticed that your friend seems to get away with several drinks without experiencing much of a hangover the next day. But maybe for you, as little as one drink can trigger a hangover. Why is this?
A variety of factors influence both the likelihood and severity of experiencing a hangover. Let’s take a closer look at 8 of them:
While any type of alcohol can cause a hangover, certain types may be more likely to lead to severe hangover symptoms. This is because different types of alcohol have different congeners — toxins that result from the fermentation process. When we consume congeners, extra stress is put on our liver to break down these substances and restore normal body function, which becomes the reason for the hangover.
Research shows that congeners are associated with more severe hangover symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness. For instance, one study compared participants’ self-reported hangover severity after drinking bourbon or vodka. Researchers found that participants who drank bourbon — which is high in congeners — reported feeling worse than those who drank vodka, which has almost no congeners at all.
In general, congeners are found in higher concentrations in darker alcoholic drinks. Beware of these darker drinks, which can cause the worst hangovers:
Clear liquors, such as vodka and gin, have comparatively lower concentrations of congeners. Bourbon whisky, for example, contains 37 times the quantity of congeners as vodka.
While the best way to avoid a hangover is to limit our consumption of alcohol (or not drink!), we can take action to lessen their intensity. Here are 5 tips:
Smart drinking practices can both help prevent a hangover and keep us safe. But we also might consider investigating the “sober curious” movement that has been gaining traction in recent years, particularly among the younger generation. Being “sober curious” isn’t necessarily about saying goodbye to drinking for good, but about re-evaluating our relationship with alcohol and being more intentional about why and how often we choose to drink.
What if the night got out of hand and you ended up drinking more than you anticipated? It’s now the next day and you feel like you’re going to vomit. Is there a hangover remedy?
Let’s look at 5 things we can do to cope with a hangover when we’re in the middle of one:
Hangovers aren’t just a nuisance: they’re a stark reminder that your body doesn’t appreciate being flooded with toxins. But don’t worry — it’s not about never enjoying a night out again. It's about making better choices when you do. Understanding the science behind hangovers can provide a valuable tool in our quest to cut back or quit drinking altogether. So, the next time you consider that extra round, remember what awaits you the morning after.
If you’re struggling to manage your alcohol consumption, consider trying Reframe. We’re a science-backed app that has helped millions of people cut back on their alcohol consumption and enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
We’ve all had those mornings: opening our eyes to a world that’s spinning a bit too much, a headache that’s pounding like a drum, and a distinct feeling of regret. Yes, welcome to your hangover.
But have you ever wondered, what exactly is a hangover? And why do hangovers happen in the first place? In this post, we’ll explore what happens during a hangover, how severe hangover symptoms develop, and what we can do about it. Let’s dive in!
To understand what happens during a hangover, we first need to understand how our body processes alcohol. Why? Because even though it’s easy to forget, alcohol is actually a toxin. Every time we drink, we’re essentially poisoning ourselves. It’s no wonder we don’t feel well the next day!
Here’s how it works: when we drink, our bodies break down alcohol into several compounds, the first of which is acetaldehyde, a potent toxic chemical. While alcohol is a toxin in its own right, acetaldehyde takes it up a notch — we're talking 30 times more toxic.
The acetaldehyde is further broken down into acetate, a relatively non-toxic substance, which is eventually converted into carbon dioxide and water. But here's the catch: our body can only process alcohol so quickly. In fact, our liver can only efficiently process one standard-sized alcoholic drink per hour. If we’re downing shots like there's no tomorrow, acetaldehyde accumulates faster than our body can eliminate it. The result? A hangover!
Now that we have a general understanding of how our body processes alcohol, let’s take a closer look at how alcohol causes some of the more specific symptoms when you are nursing a hangover. So, how does it feel to be hungover?
Overall, alcohol creates a cascade of effects that throws both our body and mind off balance, making it all the more crucial to consider if the momentary high of drinking is worth the physical discomfort and emotional toll the next day.
Are some people more likely to develop a hangover than others? Perhaps you’ve noticed that your friend seems to get away with several drinks without experiencing much of a hangover the next day. But maybe for you, as little as one drink can trigger a hangover. Why is this?
A variety of factors influence both the likelihood and severity of experiencing a hangover. Let’s take a closer look at 8 of them:
While any type of alcohol can cause a hangover, certain types may be more likely to lead to severe hangover symptoms. This is because different types of alcohol have different congeners — toxins that result from the fermentation process. When we consume congeners, extra stress is put on our liver to break down these substances and restore normal body function, which becomes the reason for the hangover.
Research shows that congeners are associated with more severe hangover symptoms, such as nausea and dizziness. For instance, one study compared participants’ self-reported hangover severity after drinking bourbon or vodka. Researchers found that participants who drank bourbon — which is high in congeners — reported feeling worse than those who drank vodka, which has almost no congeners at all.
In general, congeners are found in higher concentrations in darker alcoholic drinks. Beware of these darker drinks, which can cause the worst hangovers:
Clear liquors, such as vodka and gin, have comparatively lower concentrations of congeners. Bourbon whisky, for example, contains 37 times the quantity of congeners as vodka.
While the best way to avoid a hangover is to limit our consumption of alcohol (or not drink!), we can take action to lessen their intensity. Here are 5 tips:
Smart drinking practices can both help prevent a hangover and keep us safe. But we also might consider investigating the “sober curious” movement that has been gaining traction in recent years, particularly among the younger generation. Being “sober curious” isn’t necessarily about saying goodbye to drinking for good, but about re-evaluating our relationship with alcohol and being more intentional about why and how often we choose to drink.
What if the night got out of hand and you ended up drinking more than you anticipated? It’s now the next day and you feel like you’re going to vomit. Is there a hangover remedy?
Let’s look at 5 things we can do to cope with a hangover when we’re in the middle of one:
Hangovers aren’t just a nuisance: they’re a stark reminder that your body doesn’t appreciate being flooded with toxins. But don’t worry — it’s not about never enjoying a night out again. It's about making better choices when you do. Understanding the science behind hangovers can provide a valuable tool in our quest to cut back or quit drinking altogether. So, the next time you consider that extra round, remember what awaits you the morning after.
If you’re struggling to manage your alcohol consumption, consider trying Reframe. We’re a science-backed app that has helped millions of people cut back on their alcohol consumption and enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Alcohol-induced night sweats can be incredibly uncomfortable. Here's why they happen and what you can do about them.
Our bodies require cooling, and one of the most efficient processes for achieving this is through sweating-- something we don't always think of as pleasant. Sweat is 99 percent water and contains traces of salts and metabolic wastes, which are secreted onto our skin's surface to evaporate, taking heat away and cooling down the blood that flows beneath it. And if you are a regular drinker of alcohol, chances are you’re quite familiar with this bodily function.
If you’re already thinking about cutting back on drinking alcohol, you may not realize that cutting down your consumption will also help you sweat less-- reducing your body temperature naturally.
Night sweats are an annoying yet common occurrence in both men and women of all ages. Although the cause of night sweats can be linked to a condition or medication, they may also be the result of drinking too much alcohol. Fortunately, there are many simple changes that can help you cut back on alcohol consumption and reduce the likelihood of experiencing night sweats.
Asking yourself why you drink, tracking intake without judgement through the Reframe app, replacing drinks with activities like exercising or cooking, and identifying triggers that can lead to excessive drinking are just some ways people can successfully cut back on alcohol.
Night sweats can be caused by a range of factors:
Despite the fact that night sweats are generally harmless, if you’re experiencing them frequently due to alcohol consumption, you may want to cut back on drinking alcohol. Drinking more than your body can process at one time can result in sudden withdrawal symptoms leading to night sweats.
Cutting back on alcohol consumption is necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and decreasing your risk of night sweats. It’s important to understand how alcohol triggers night sweats so that you can cut back and reap the health benefits of drinking less. Drinking increases your heart rate and causes your blood vessels to expand, triggering perspiration.
Although perspiring will help cool down your body, it won’t expel alcohol from your system any faster. To cut back on drinking, try setting an alcohol limit for yourself before going out or replacing drinks with sparkling water or low-calorie mocktails. Knowing how to cut back on alcohol consumption so that you can reduce your risk of night sweats is beneficial not only for better mental and physical health but also for preventing future health problems.
If you've already cut back on drinking, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal could start to manifest. Some common symptoms include sweating, clammy skin, and night sweats. You may also experience anxiousness, depression, or changes in your mood. Along with those symptoms, nausea, shakiness, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite and body aches may occur. Other possible symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal include restlessness, muscle pains and fever-like symptoms.
If you’re planning how to cut back on alcohol consumption, it's important to be familiar with these signs and symptoms so that they don't surprise you down the line.
People with alcohol intolerance may experience uncomfortable symptoms, including frequent night sweats, when drinking. This is due to a genetic mutation that prevents their body from producing enzymes that break down the toxins in alcohol. In addition, they may see facial redness, hives, worsening asthma, runny or stuffy nose, low blood pressure and other types of discomfort such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you have been experiencing night sweats as a result of alcohol intolerance, the best course of action is to cut back on alcohol consumption. This can range from having no drinks throughout the week but do on the weekends to cutting happy hour shorter, or simply switching to lighter beverages. Not able to cut out drinking entirely? That’s okay too - just limit the amount you consume so that your symptoms subside.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and replenish your body’s electrolytes by eating salty foods like pickles or crackers. If you wake up with night sweats, make sure to rinse off any dried sweat and keep your bedroom temperature at a comfortable level before heading back to bed without excess blankets. By doing these simple things, you can lower the impact of night sweats due to alcohol intolerance.
When you cut back on drinking, your body may experience withdrawal symptoms such as night sweats. These symptoms may be sudden and unexpected, making it difficult to stay committed to changing your relationship with alcohol. That's why it's important to track your drinking so you can monitor if any sudden, unusual symptoms appear. With the Reframe app, you receive easy-to-use guidelines that show you how to cut back on drinking and track your progress for a more positive lifestyle. This unique tool can help shape better habits when it comes to drinking less alcohol and understanding the side effects caused by overconsumption.
Our bodies require cooling, and one of the most efficient processes for achieving this is through sweating-- something we don't always think of as pleasant. Sweat is 99 percent water and contains traces of salts and metabolic wastes, which are secreted onto our skin's surface to evaporate, taking heat away and cooling down the blood that flows beneath it. And if you are a regular drinker of alcohol, chances are you’re quite familiar with this bodily function.
If you’re already thinking about cutting back on drinking alcohol, you may not realize that cutting down your consumption will also help you sweat less-- reducing your body temperature naturally.
Night sweats are an annoying yet common occurrence in both men and women of all ages. Although the cause of night sweats can be linked to a condition or medication, they may also be the result of drinking too much alcohol. Fortunately, there are many simple changes that can help you cut back on alcohol consumption and reduce the likelihood of experiencing night sweats.
Asking yourself why you drink, tracking intake without judgement through the Reframe app, replacing drinks with activities like exercising or cooking, and identifying triggers that can lead to excessive drinking are just some ways people can successfully cut back on alcohol.
Night sweats can be caused by a range of factors:
Despite the fact that night sweats are generally harmless, if you’re experiencing them frequently due to alcohol consumption, you may want to cut back on drinking alcohol. Drinking more than your body can process at one time can result in sudden withdrawal symptoms leading to night sweats.
Cutting back on alcohol consumption is necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and decreasing your risk of night sweats. It’s important to understand how alcohol triggers night sweats so that you can cut back and reap the health benefits of drinking less. Drinking increases your heart rate and causes your blood vessels to expand, triggering perspiration.
Although perspiring will help cool down your body, it won’t expel alcohol from your system any faster. To cut back on drinking, try setting an alcohol limit for yourself before going out or replacing drinks with sparkling water or low-calorie mocktails. Knowing how to cut back on alcohol consumption so that you can reduce your risk of night sweats is beneficial not only for better mental and physical health but also for preventing future health problems.
If you've already cut back on drinking, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal could start to manifest. Some common symptoms include sweating, clammy skin, and night sweats. You may also experience anxiousness, depression, or changes in your mood. Along with those symptoms, nausea, shakiness, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite and body aches may occur. Other possible symptoms related to alcohol withdrawal include restlessness, muscle pains and fever-like symptoms.
If you’re planning how to cut back on alcohol consumption, it's important to be familiar with these signs and symptoms so that they don't surprise you down the line.
People with alcohol intolerance may experience uncomfortable symptoms, including frequent night sweats, when drinking. This is due to a genetic mutation that prevents their body from producing enzymes that break down the toxins in alcohol. In addition, they may see facial redness, hives, worsening asthma, runny or stuffy nose, low blood pressure and other types of discomfort such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
If you have been experiencing night sweats as a result of alcohol intolerance, the best course of action is to cut back on alcohol consumption. This can range from having no drinks throughout the week but do on the weekends to cutting happy hour shorter, or simply switching to lighter beverages. Not able to cut out drinking entirely? That’s okay too - just limit the amount you consume so that your symptoms subside.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and replenish your body’s electrolytes by eating salty foods like pickles or crackers. If you wake up with night sweats, make sure to rinse off any dried sweat and keep your bedroom temperature at a comfortable level before heading back to bed without excess blankets. By doing these simple things, you can lower the impact of night sweats due to alcohol intolerance.
When you cut back on drinking, your body may experience withdrawal symptoms such as night sweats. These symptoms may be sudden and unexpected, making it difficult to stay committed to changing your relationship with alcohol. That's why it's important to track your drinking so you can monitor if any sudden, unusual symptoms appear. With the Reframe app, you receive easy-to-use guidelines that show you how to cut back on drinking and track your progress for a more positive lifestyle. This unique tool can help shape better habits when it comes to drinking less alcohol and understanding the side effects caused by overconsumption.
Can you drink while eating low carb or keto? Let's find out in this blog post we put together on the topic.
The Reframe app is here to support you as you change your relationship with alcohol. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people break the alcohol misuse cycle and adopt healthier lifestyles, and we’re here to guide you throughout the process, too.
We understand that everyone has unique bodies, life experiences, and goals. That’s why we give you science-backed facts in our daily readings that can help you comprehend the impact alcohol has in your life. When you join the Reframe community, you’ll gain access to our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in calls. We’re a diverse and supportive group of people from around the world who are asking the same questions you are, and wrestling with the same challenges. You’re most definitely not alone!
Best of all, you can try Reframe free for 7 days, so there’s no risk (and a lot of potential gain!). We want you to be fully satisfied with your experience, which is why we’re committed to a 100% money-back guarantee.
Think about how it would feel to finally live with the vibrant well-being you deserve. We want you to live your best life, so if you feel your body telling you it’s time to cut back on the booze, you’ve come to the right place.
Break free from an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and live more with Reframe today! We look forward to seeing you in the app!
The workweek has ended, and we’re at a bar with our friends, soaking in the blissful ambiance. But the evening takes a turn when the waiter arrives to take the drink order, and you suddenly remember you’re on a low-carb diet. What are some low-carb alcohol choices? What’s the lowest carb alcohol option out there? And can we still drink alcohol while maintaining our dietary goals?
The short answer is yes, but only with a more mindful approach to the drinks we consume. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the low-carb alcohol options available to those on low-carb diets. We’ll also chat about the carbs in alcohol, low carb liquor options, and whether there’s a such thing as “no-carb” alcohol.
Let’s start with the basics. A low-carb diet is a lifestyle choice many people make to either lose weight, maintain a healthy body, or manage certain health conditions. It generally involves restricting carbohydrates found in sugary foods, pastas, and bread. Instead, we eat more lean protein, healthy fats, and vegetables.
Low-carb diets can provide several health benefits. Research indicates they can result in weight loss and improve heart-health indicators like cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Moreover, low-carb diets can help manage blood sugar levels, which is crucial for people with diabetes.
But where does alcohol fit into this equation? That's where the story gets more complicated.
It may come as a surprise to learn that many types of alcohol are high in carbohydrates, with some having more carbs per serving than some soft drinks and desserts. For instance, beer, which boasts starch as a main ingredient, can contain anywhere from 3 to 12 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce (355 ml) serving. Mixed drinks are usually high in calories due to added sweeteners like juices and syrups. Even light beers and coolers contain an additional 5 to 17 grams of carbs.
People who want to limit their alcohol consumption should start by avoiding alcoholic beverages with a high calorie content and choosing pure ones that don’t contain carbohydrates, such as gin or vodka. You might still be wondering, “Does vodka have carbs?” Pure liquors such as vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila do not have any carbs. In any case, always remember to limit your alcohol consumption overall.
For those who are looking for low-carb alcoholic drinks in a can, spiked sparkling water and certain canned wines can be a great start. However, always check the labels when purchasing.
It's crucial to know which alcoholic beverages have the most calories and carbs when you’re trying to reduce your calorie intake. The top two beverages on the list are beer and mixed drinks, some of which include up to 34 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Avoiding these high-carb beverages should be your top priority if you're looking for ways to reduce your alcohol consumption. If you enjoy the odd beer or certain mixed drinks, seek low-carb substitutes that still let you enjoy the flavor without adding extra carbs to your diet.
Alcoholic beverages are high in calories but lack essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. When you cut back on alcohol, you can replace those liquid calories with healthy alternatives. This can look like enjoying a smoothie every morning, or having a protein-packed snack between meals.
Alcohol is metabolized by the body before any other nutrients in order to be used as fuel. Alcohol consumption interrupts the hormonal balance necessary for the proper metabolism of essential nutrients, like carbohydrates and fatty acids. Studies show that cutting back on drinking can boost fat-burning and promote weight loss.
Alcohol slows fat-burning processes, which increases the storage of fatty tissues and can result in fatty liver disease. Fortunately, consuming less alcohol encourages weight loss without endangering your health and enhances the fat-burning process. By reducing your alcohol intake, you can unlock the advantages of good weight management and improve your overall health.
If you're trying to cut back on drinking, it's important to know that your body prioritizes alcohol above all other nutrients when it comes to metabolism. Thus, when you drink alcohol, your body first uses the calories from the drinks to meet its energy needs before beginning to burn fat. As a result, too much alcohol can slow down fat-burning and increase fat storage. To reduce your consumption and ensure that your metabolism functions at its best, try limiting yourself to a predetermined number of alcoholic drinks per week, or cut back on high-calorie mixed drinks. Controlling your alcohol intake can significantly improve your chances of reaching your fitness and health objectives.
If you want to cut back on drinking and maintain your weight goals, it's crucial to know the potential link between excessive alcohol consumption and weight gain. Several studies have linked heavy alcohol use to a higher risk of weight gain during a three-month period.
Two drinks per day doubled the likelihood of weight gain compared to abstainers, according to a survey of 49,324 women. Similarly, a long-term study involving nearly 15,000 men revealed that increasing alcohol intake was linked to a higher risk of gaining weight over the course of 24 years. You can have success with weight management if you strive for moderation as opposed to excess. To fully benefit from reduced alcohol intake, it’s best to limit yourself to only one drink per day.
Here are a few practical tips:
Cutting back on drinking is a great way to cut down on empty calories. Here are a few tricks you can use to cut back on your alcohol consumption:
With small changes, you can significantly reduce your daily caloric intake and still allow yourself the occasional Saturday night beer or brunch mimosa.
Cutting back on alcohol can be an essential part of a low-carb diet, especially if you enjoy a beer or glass of wine every now and then. When consumed in moderation, some drinks actually work very well with a low-carb diet. Dry white and red wines and light beer contain just 3 or 4 grams of carbs per serving, so you won't need to avoid them completely if you're monitoring your carb intake.
Although carb-free pure alcoholic beverages like rum, whiskey, gin, and vodka are available, sugary mixers can rapidly turn your drink unhealthy. For taste without the extra calories, try mixing liquor with diet soda or sugar-free tonic water. By drinking less often and moderating your consumption, it's easy to cut back on calories.
The workweek has ended, and we’re at a bar with our friends, soaking in the blissful ambiance. But the evening takes a turn when the waiter arrives to take the drink order, and you suddenly remember you’re on a low-carb diet. What are some low-carb alcohol choices? What’s the lowest carb alcohol option out there? And can we still drink alcohol while maintaining our dietary goals?
The short answer is yes, but only with a more mindful approach to the drinks we consume. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the low-carb alcohol options available to those on low-carb diets. We’ll also chat about the carbs in alcohol, low carb liquor options, and whether there’s a such thing as “no-carb” alcohol.
Let’s start with the basics. A low-carb diet is a lifestyle choice many people make to either lose weight, maintain a healthy body, or manage certain health conditions. It generally involves restricting carbohydrates found in sugary foods, pastas, and bread. Instead, we eat more lean protein, healthy fats, and vegetables.
Low-carb diets can provide several health benefits. Research indicates they can result in weight loss and improve heart-health indicators like cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Moreover, low-carb diets can help manage blood sugar levels, which is crucial for people with diabetes.
But where does alcohol fit into this equation? That's where the story gets more complicated.
It may come as a surprise to learn that many types of alcohol are high in carbohydrates, with some having more carbs per serving than some soft drinks and desserts. For instance, beer, which boasts starch as a main ingredient, can contain anywhere from 3 to 12 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce (355 ml) serving. Mixed drinks are usually high in calories due to added sweeteners like juices and syrups. Even light beers and coolers contain an additional 5 to 17 grams of carbs.
People who want to limit their alcohol consumption should start by avoiding alcoholic beverages with a high calorie content and choosing pure ones that don’t contain carbohydrates, such as gin or vodka. You might still be wondering, “Does vodka have carbs?” Pure liquors such as vodka, whiskey, gin, rum, and tequila do not have any carbs. In any case, always remember to limit your alcohol consumption overall.
For those who are looking for low-carb alcoholic drinks in a can, spiked sparkling water and certain canned wines can be a great start. However, always check the labels when purchasing.
It's crucial to know which alcoholic beverages have the most calories and carbs when you’re trying to reduce your calorie intake. The top two beverages on the list are beer and mixed drinks, some of which include up to 34 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Avoiding these high-carb beverages should be your top priority if you're looking for ways to reduce your alcohol consumption. If you enjoy the odd beer or certain mixed drinks, seek low-carb substitutes that still let you enjoy the flavor without adding extra carbs to your diet.
Alcoholic beverages are high in calories but lack essential nutrients like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. When you cut back on alcohol, you can replace those liquid calories with healthy alternatives. This can look like enjoying a smoothie every morning, or having a protein-packed snack between meals.
Alcohol is metabolized by the body before any other nutrients in order to be used as fuel. Alcohol consumption interrupts the hormonal balance necessary for the proper metabolism of essential nutrients, like carbohydrates and fatty acids. Studies show that cutting back on drinking can boost fat-burning and promote weight loss.
Alcohol slows fat-burning processes, which increases the storage of fatty tissues and can result in fatty liver disease. Fortunately, consuming less alcohol encourages weight loss without endangering your health and enhances the fat-burning process. By reducing your alcohol intake, you can unlock the advantages of good weight management and improve your overall health.
If you're trying to cut back on drinking, it's important to know that your body prioritizes alcohol above all other nutrients when it comes to metabolism. Thus, when you drink alcohol, your body first uses the calories from the drinks to meet its energy needs before beginning to burn fat. As a result, too much alcohol can slow down fat-burning and increase fat storage. To reduce your consumption and ensure that your metabolism functions at its best, try limiting yourself to a predetermined number of alcoholic drinks per week, or cut back on high-calorie mixed drinks. Controlling your alcohol intake can significantly improve your chances of reaching your fitness and health objectives.
If you want to cut back on drinking and maintain your weight goals, it's crucial to know the potential link between excessive alcohol consumption and weight gain. Several studies have linked heavy alcohol use to a higher risk of weight gain during a three-month period.
Two drinks per day doubled the likelihood of weight gain compared to abstainers, according to a survey of 49,324 women. Similarly, a long-term study involving nearly 15,000 men revealed that increasing alcohol intake was linked to a higher risk of gaining weight over the course of 24 years. You can have success with weight management if you strive for moderation as opposed to excess. To fully benefit from reduced alcohol intake, it’s best to limit yourself to only one drink per day.
Here are a few practical tips:
Cutting back on drinking is a great way to cut down on empty calories. Here are a few tricks you can use to cut back on your alcohol consumption:
With small changes, you can significantly reduce your daily caloric intake and still allow yourself the occasional Saturday night beer or brunch mimosa.
Cutting back on alcohol can be an essential part of a low-carb diet, especially if you enjoy a beer or glass of wine every now and then. When consumed in moderation, some drinks actually work very well with a low-carb diet. Dry white and red wines and light beer contain just 3 or 4 grams of carbs per serving, so you won't need to avoid them completely if you're monitoring your carb intake.
Although carb-free pure alcoholic beverages like rum, whiskey, gin, and vodka are available, sugary mixers can rapidly turn your drink unhealthy. For taste without the extra calories, try mixing liquor with diet soda or sugar-free tonic water. By drinking less often and moderating your consumption, it's easy to cut back on calories.
Why do we snore after a night of drinking? The answer lies in alcohol's impact on sleep. Let's take a look.
Consuming alcohol, particularly right before bed, can have a direct impact on the quality of your sleep. Drinking alcohol increases your chances of snoring loudly, which can prevent REM sleep. If you have sleep apnea, this increase in snoring may be more concerning and cut into your total sleep time.
To prevent poorer quality sleep from happening on a regular basis, it is important to cut back on the consumption of alcohol, especially close to bedtime. Cutting down the amount of alcohol you drink is usually enough. Ultimately, no matter how you go about it, cutting down on your alcohol intake will lead to better rest quality and can even improve long-term health outcomes if done consistently.
Snoring can be a very frustrating situation, both for those enduring it and those creating the disruption. If you're the one mixing up everyone's sleep with your loud snores, not only are you likely dealing with tiredness during the day, but you are also compromising your own restorative sleep. There is an easy way to cut back on snoring - cut back on drinking alcohol.
Alcohol consumption has a negative effect on our bodies even when we're not about to doze off in bed, but for anyone looking to cut down their snoring habit, reducing alcohol consumption will definitely have a positive impact. It's often difficult at first to know how to cut back your intake of alcohol, but there are plenty of resources out there that can help guide you toward responsible drinking habits.
Although most people cut back on drinking when they learn that alcohol is a depressant and can make them feel tired or sleepy after having too much, few people realize the implications it may have on snoring. Studies have shown that heavy drinking and even some moderate drinking contribute to more frequent or louder snoring or even apnea, making it essential to cut back on alcohol consumption if loud snoring is an issue.
Alcohol can make you sleepy faster and make snoring more likely, and drinking too much can worsen the effects of snoring. When people drink alcohol, the muscles in their throats tighten, which can force air through the smaller opening with greater intensity, thus making the sound of snoring louder. Consuming too much alcohol can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea.
If you are concerned about your snoring or worry you have sleep apnea, it would be a good idea to cut back on drinking and also cut out other activities like smoking that can increase your risk of developing such ailments. It is important to note that this does not mean you must cut out all consumption of alcohol - instead focus on drinking less for better health outcomes.
A 2020 study noted that drinking alcohol close to bedtime can increase the risk of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This could be due to how alcohol affects your throat’s epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilage that acts as a gateway between your throat and mouth. It typically remains open to allow air to flow freely into your lungs but when you swallow, it folds back to stop food and drinks from entering.
There are a few simple methods to cut back on your alcohol consumption before bed, like having some water between sips of alcohol or limiting yourself to one alcoholic beverage per night.
Everyone snores occasionally - but when you drink alcohol, your regular breathing could become more difficult than usual. That is because the relaxation effects of drinking cause your throat muscles to contract and your nasal passages to swell, making it harder for air to flow freely. This leads the body to make up for this restriction by forcing deeper breaths which vibrate against your esophagus, resulting in snoring.
As a result of the 2020 sleep apnea study, researchers determined that drinking alcohol close to bedtime was linked to more severe sleep apnea symptoms. Those who cut back on the amount of alcohol consumed before bed were found to have fewer blocked airways and higher oxygen levels during their sleep. It’s recommended for anyone suffering from snoring or sleep apnea to cut back on drinking as an effective way to reduce these symptoms.
There are many different strategies you can use to cut back on your alcohol consumption, such as reducing the amount you drink each day, setting a specific time when you plan on cutting off your intake, and replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic alternatives such as sparkling water or herbal tea.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, cutting back on drinking can actually improve your sleep quality. A recently published study highlighted the correlation between alcohol consumption and sleep, suggesting that exploring your relationship with alcohol – and considering how to cut back – can be of great benefit and play an important role in improving your sleep profile and determining treatment plans for those struggling with insomnia.
According to the Sleep Foundation, drinking even low amounts of alcohol (fewer than two drinks per day for men, less than one drink for women) can decrease sleep quality by 8.3 percent, while moderate (two drinks for men; one drink for women) and high (over two drinks for men; more than one drink for women) alcohol consumption further cut down on quality by 24 percent and 39.2 percent respectively. As such, reducing your alcohol intake could increase your overall restful nights.
Reaching your REM stage is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle; it is the deepest and most restorative sleep that provides our brains with much-needed improvements to concentration, mood, and memory. If you are having trouble getting enough REM sleep, cut back on drinking alcohol - it can inhibit your body’s natural ability to reach REM. Try different ways to cut back alcohol, such as limiting it to weekends only or cutting back the number of drinks you have gradually over time. When your REM sleep is optimized, your body can reap the full benefits of restorative sleep.
Stop drinking four hours before bed
Use a mouthguard or nasal strips
Sleep on your side
Alcohol can play a major role in affecting the quality of sleep, particularly if consumed right before bed. People who drink alcohol heavily or frequently may not get enough restorative REM sleep each night. This type of deep sleep is essential for feeling well-rested and having clarity when tackling tasks during the day. That's why it's important to cut back on drinking in order to improve your sleeping habits.
If you are someone who has difficulty making healthier decisions about when and how much alcohol to consume, the Reframe app is a great tool to help you cut back on drinking and work towards better sleep health! The app provides resources on how to cut back on alcohol with easy-to-follow tips like setting weekly personal goals that meet both mental and physical well-being needs.
Consuming alcohol, particularly right before bed, can have a direct impact on the quality of your sleep. Drinking alcohol increases your chances of snoring loudly, which can prevent REM sleep. If you have sleep apnea, this increase in snoring may be more concerning and cut into your total sleep time.
To prevent poorer quality sleep from happening on a regular basis, it is important to cut back on the consumption of alcohol, especially close to bedtime. Cutting down the amount of alcohol you drink is usually enough. Ultimately, no matter how you go about it, cutting down on your alcohol intake will lead to better rest quality and can even improve long-term health outcomes if done consistently.
Snoring can be a very frustrating situation, both for those enduring it and those creating the disruption. If you're the one mixing up everyone's sleep with your loud snores, not only are you likely dealing with tiredness during the day, but you are also compromising your own restorative sleep. There is an easy way to cut back on snoring - cut back on drinking alcohol.
Alcohol consumption has a negative effect on our bodies even when we're not about to doze off in bed, but for anyone looking to cut down their snoring habit, reducing alcohol consumption will definitely have a positive impact. It's often difficult at first to know how to cut back your intake of alcohol, but there are plenty of resources out there that can help guide you toward responsible drinking habits.
Although most people cut back on drinking when they learn that alcohol is a depressant and can make them feel tired or sleepy after having too much, few people realize the implications it may have on snoring. Studies have shown that heavy drinking and even some moderate drinking contribute to more frequent or louder snoring or even apnea, making it essential to cut back on alcohol consumption if loud snoring is an issue.
Alcohol can make you sleepy faster and make snoring more likely, and drinking too much can worsen the effects of snoring. When people drink alcohol, the muscles in their throats tighten, which can force air through the smaller opening with greater intensity, thus making the sound of snoring louder. Consuming too much alcohol can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea.
If you are concerned about your snoring or worry you have sleep apnea, it would be a good idea to cut back on drinking and also cut out other activities like smoking that can increase your risk of developing such ailments. It is important to note that this does not mean you must cut out all consumption of alcohol - instead focus on drinking less for better health outcomes.
A 2020 study noted that drinking alcohol close to bedtime can increase the risk of snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This could be due to how alcohol affects your throat’s epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilage that acts as a gateway between your throat and mouth. It typically remains open to allow air to flow freely into your lungs but when you swallow, it folds back to stop food and drinks from entering.
There are a few simple methods to cut back on your alcohol consumption before bed, like having some water between sips of alcohol or limiting yourself to one alcoholic beverage per night.
Everyone snores occasionally - but when you drink alcohol, your regular breathing could become more difficult than usual. That is because the relaxation effects of drinking cause your throat muscles to contract and your nasal passages to swell, making it harder for air to flow freely. This leads the body to make up for this restriction by forcing deeper breaths which vibrate against your esophagus, resulting in snoring.
As a result of the 2020 sleep apnea study, researchers determined that drinking alcohol close to bedtime was linked to more severe sleep apnea symptoms. Those who cut back on the amount of alcohol consumed before bed were found to have fewer blocked airways and higher oxygen levels during their sleep. It’s recommended for anyone suffering from snoring or sleep apnea to cut back on drinking as an effective way to reduce these symptoms.
There are many different strategies you can use to cut back on your alcohol consumption, such as reducing the amount you drink each day, setting a specific time when you plan on cutting off your intake, and replacing alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic alternatives such as sparkling water or herbal tea.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, cutting back on drinking can actually improve your sleep quality. A recently published study highlighted the correlation between alcohol consumption and sleep, suggesting that exploring your relationship with alcohol – and considering how to cut back – can be of great benefit and play an important role in improving your sleep profile and determining treatment plans for those struggling with insomnia.
According to the Sleep Foundation, drinking even low amounts of alcohol (fewer than two drinks per day for men, less than one drink for women) can decrease sleep quality by 8.3 percent, while moderate (two drinks for men; one drink for women) and high (over two drinks for men; more than one drink for women) alcohol consumption further cut down on quality by 24 percent and 39.2 percent respectively. As such, reducing your alcohol intake could increase your overall restful nights.
Reaching your REM stage is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle; it is the deepest and most restorative sleep that provides our brains with much-needed improvements to concentration, mood, and memory. If you are having trouble getting enough REM sleep, cut back on drinking alcohol - it can inhibit your body’s natural ability to reach REM. Try different ways to cut back alcohol, such as limiting it to weekends only or cutting back the number of drinks you have gradually over time. When your REM sleep is optimized, your body can reap the full benefits of restorative sleep.
Stop drinking four hours before bed
Use a mouthguard or nasal strips
Sleep on your side
Alcohol can play a major role in affecting the quality of sleep, particularly if consumed right before bed. People who drink alcohol heavily or frequently may not get enough restorative REM sleep each night. This type of deep sleep is essential for feeling well-rested and having clarity when tackling tasks during the day. That's why it's important to cut back on drinking in order to improve your sleeping habits.
If you are someone who has difficulty making healthier decisions about when and how much alcohol to consume, the Reframe app is a great tool to help you cut back on drinking and work towards better sleep health! The app provides resources on how to cut back on alcohol with easy-to-follow tips like setting weekly personal goals that meet both mental and physical well-being needs.
Alcohol affects all areas of our health, from our emotional well-being to our organ function. Here's a look into several areas.
With so many conflicting messages about alcohol, it can be difficult to know how to cut back. The truth is that drinking too much can be unhealthy. For those trying to cut back on drinking, monitoring the type and amount of alcohol consumed is key.
Alcohol is one of the most popular psychoactive substances in the world and its use has both short-term and long-term effects. Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks, is generally referred to as “alcohol” and can have powerful effects on your mental state. Moderate amounts are said to have health benefits in some cases, such as reducing cardiovascular disease and stroke risk. If regular drinking is causing symptoms such as fatigue, feeling sick in the morning or a lack of concentration, cutting back on alcohol - or completely avoiding it - may make all the difference.
The liver is a tremendously remarkable organ that has hundreds of essential functions, one of the most important being the neutralization of toxic substances. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver. One common result of too much alcohol consumption is fatty liver, which is characterized by fat inside liver cells that can develop in those who drink more than half an ounce (15ml) of alcohol per day.
Over time, drinking less alcohol will help protect your precious and irreplaceable liver from further damage.
Drinking too much alcohol can have serious consequences for your brain. It slows down communication between brain cells, which can cause symptoms like feeling drunk and may even lead to memory loss during a heavy drinking episode. These effects are generally temporary, but long-term chronic alcohol abuse can cause permanent damage to the brain’s function.
Experts recommend that everyone cut back on consuming alcohol or drink less frequently.
Alcohol abuse and depression often coincide, creating a dangerous cycle where increased alcohol intake leads to depression and further drinking. Research suggests that cutting back on alcohol is an important step toward improving mental health. Cutting back or completely eliminating drinking can reduce depression as well as associated risks from heavy drinking, such as chronic stress, increased risk of medical illness, and whole-body inflammation.
Many people find it helpful to cut back on their drinking habits gradually. Create goals for yourself to cut down on drinking over time. You can also take other steps to reduce the effects of depression, such as talking to supportive friends, prioritizing healthy activities like sleep and exercise, and exploring mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation. Taking a holistic approach can help you cut back on your alcohol use while improving your overall mental health.
Obesity is a serious health concern. Alcohol is the second most calorie-rich nutrient after fat — packing about seven calories per gram. Beer has a similar number of calories to sugary soft drinks, ounce for ounce, whereas red wine has twice as many.
It seems that drinking habits and preferences may play a role in obesity. For example, moderate drinking is linked to slower weight gain, whereas heavy drinking is linked to increased weight gain.
A growing body of research suggests drinking alcohol in moderation may have beneficial effects on heart health. Excessive consumption of alcohol can have a harmful effect on the cardiovascular system and increase your risk for heart disease. Research shows that light to moderate consumption of alcohol is linked to a lower risk for heart disease, whereas heavy drinking has been shown to increase it.
If you wish to cut back on your alcohol consumption and reduce your risk of developing heart disease, it’s important to understand how much is too much. The recommended guideline is no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women on alternating days. Cut back on drinking by having drink-free days throughout the week or alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages like lime soda or sparkling water with crushed mint leaves.
It’s essential to not replace mealtime with an alcoholic beverage and practice mindful drinking by taking a minute during each serving of an alcoholic beverage. Moderate consumption of alcohol may help cut back the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Affecting eight percent of the world’s population, type 2 diabetes is caused by a reduced absorption of glucose into cells, where it triggers the release of insulin into the body.
Studies have shown that drinking alcohol in moderation can actually reduce insulin resistance and cut back on rising blood sugar and fasting blood glucose levels. It is recommended those with type 2 diabetes looking to cut back on their drinking should do so slowly and with professional advice, as drinking too much or too quickly can have serious repercussions for them.
There is no denying that the effects of alcohol depend entirely on individual body chemistry and drinking habits. Moderate indulgence of beer, wine, or spirits can be beneficial in some cases, with moderate drinking linked to lowered risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. That being said, cut back on drinking if you are approaching the recommended daily limit — too much of anything is not good for you. For those who find they cannot cut back on their alcohol consumption successfully without professional help, it's important to seek out treatment immediately to prevent any negative health effects from worsening. Remember that even just drinking less alcohol can make a huge difference in your overall well-being.
It's true that moderate drinking can bring some potential health benefits but it is important to cut back on your alcohol intake if you're approaching the recommended daily limits. While the effects of alcohol depend on an individual's body chemistry and drinking habits, taking things down a level when it comes to your beer, wine or spirits consumption can have a huge impact on overall well-being. If you are struggling to cut back, Reframe can provide helpful resources for learning new ways to drink less and achieve better health and happiness.
With so many conflicting messages about alcohol, it can be difficult to know how to cut back. The truth is that drinking too much can be unhealthy. For those trying to cut back on drinking, monitoring the type and amount of alcohol consumed is key.
Alcohol is one of the most popular psychoactive substances in the world and its use has both short-term and long-term effects. Ethanol, the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks, is generally referred to as “alcohol” and can have powerful effects on your mental state. Moderate amounts are said to have health benefits in some cases, such as reducing cardiovascular disease and stroke risk. If regular drinking is causing symptoms such as fatigue, feeling sick in the morning or a lack of concentration, cutting back on alcohol - or completely avoiding it - may make all the difference.
The liver is a tremendously remarkable organ that has hundreds of essential functions, one of the most important being the neutralization of toxic substances. Excessive alcohol consumption can damage the liver. One common result of too much alcohol consumption is fatty liver, which is characterized by fat inside liver cells that can develop in those who drink more than half an ounce (15ml) of alcohol per day.
Over time, drinking less alcohol will help protect your precious and irreplaceable liver from further damage.
Drinking too much alcohol can have serious consequences for your brain. It slows down communication between brain cells, which can cause symptoms like feeling drunk and may even lead to memory loss during a heavy drinking episode. These effects are generally temporary, but long-term chronic alcohol abuse can cause permanent damage to the brain’s function.
Experts recommend that everyone cut back on consuming alcohol or drink less frequently.
Alcohol abuse and depression often coincide, creating a dangerous cycle where increased alcohol intake leads to depression and further drinking. Research suggests that cutting back on alcohol is an important step toward improving mental health. Cutting back or completely eliminating drinking can reduce depression as well as associated risks from heavy drinking, such as chronic stress, increased risk of medical illness, and whole-body inflammation.
Many people find it helpful to cut back on their drinking habits gradually. Create goals for yourself to cut down on drinking over time. You can also take other steps to reduce the effects of depression, such as talking to supportive friends, prioritizing healthy activities like sleep and exercise, and exploring mindfulness practices like yoga or meditation. Taking a holistic approach can help you cut back on your alcohol use while improving your overall mental health.
Obesity is a serious health concern. Alcohol is the second most calorie-rich nutrient after fat — packing about seven calories per gram. Beer has a similar number of calories to sugary soft drinks, ounce for ounce, whereas red wine has twice as many.
It seems that drinking habits and preferences may play a role in obesity. For example, moderate drinking is linked to slower weight gain, whereas heavy drinking is linked to increased weight gain.
A growing body of research suggests drinking alcohol in moderation may have beneficial effects on heart health. Excessive consumption of alcohol can have a harmful effect on the cardiovascular system and increase your risk for heart disease. Research shows that light to moderate consumption of alcohol is linked to a lower risk for heart disease, whereas heavy drinking has been shown to increase it.
If you wish to cut back on your alcohol consumption and reduce your risk of developing heart disease, it’s important to understand how much is too much. The recommended guideline is no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women on alternating days. Cut back on drinking by having drink-free days throughout the week or alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic beverages like lime soda or sparkling water with crushed mint leaves.
It’s essential to not replace mealtime with an alcoholic beverage and practice mindful drinking by taking a minute during each serving of an alcoholic beverage. Moderate consumption of alcohol may help cut back the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Affecting eight percent of the world’s population, type 2 diabetes is caused by a reduced absorption of glucose into cells, where it triggers the release of insulin into the body.
Studies have shown that drinking alcohol in moderation can actually reduce insulin resistance and cut back on rising blood sugar and fasting blood glucose levels. It is recommended those with type 2 diabetes looking to cut back on their drinking should do so slowly and with professional advice, as drinking too much or too quickly can have serious repercussions for them.
There is no denying that the effects of alcohol depend entirely on individual body chemistry and drinking habits. Moderate indulgence of beer, wine, or spirits can be beneficial in some cases, with moderate drinking linked to lowered risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. That being said, cut back on drinking if you are approaching the recommended daily limit — too much of anything is not good for you. For those who find they cannot cut back on their alcohol consumption successfully without professional help, it's important to seek out treatment immediately to prevent any negative health effects from worsening. Remember that even just drinking less alcohol can make a huge difference in your overall well-being.
It's true that moderate drinking can bring some potential health benefits but it is important to cut back on your alcohol intake if you're approaching the recommended daily limits. While the effects of alcohol depend on an individual's body chemistry and drinking habits, taking things down a level when it comes to your beer, wine or spirits consumption can have a huge impact on overall well-being. If you are struggling to cut back, Reframe can provide helpful resources for learning new ways to drink less and achieve better health and happiness.
How exactly does alcohol make us drunk? Though few of us take time to think about it, intoxication is quite complex and involves many different neurotransmitters and parts of the brain.
Cutting back on our alcohol consumption is one of the best things we can do for our overall well-being. So why not download Reframe right now and give it a shot?
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), Reframe can help you cut back on drinking gradually and with the science-backed knowledge to empower you every step of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more.
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while doing so! Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit gives you the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people from around the world who are going through the exact same experiences as you! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download Reframe today! Can’t wait to see you there!
It’s fairly easy to recognize when someone is drunk. Their speech becomes slurred, their movements uncoordinated, and their judgment and inhibitions go out the window. But have you ever wondered, why does alcohol make you drunk? What exactly is happening inside the body and brain?
In this post, we’ll explore how alcohol interacts with our bodily systems to cause many of the symptoms we associate with being drunk. We’ll also offer tips on how to avoid intoxication. Let’s get started!
What is in alcohol that makes you drunk? To understand the answer, it’s helpful to understand exactly what alcohol is. When we talk about alcohol in the context of beverages, we’re referring to active ingredient ethanol. This clear, colorless liquid is produced through the process of fermentation, in which yeast converts sugars into alcohol. For instance, beer is made from the sugars in malted barley, wine from the sugars in grapes, and vodka from the sugars in potatoes.
When we drink beverages that contain ethanol (the active compound in alcohol), the chemical enters our bloodstream quickly, circulates throughout our body, and travels to various organs. We can gauge how much alcohol has affected us from our blood alcohol content (BAC), which tells us just how much alcohol has entered our bloodstream. For instance, a BAC of 0.08 indicates that there are 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of a person's blood, which is often the legal driving limit.
Alcohol’s effects are more obvious at greater blood alcohol concentrations. At lower BAC levels, people might experience feelings of relaxation and sociability. However, when BAC rises, these sensations can morph into unsteady movements and poor judgment — and at dangerously high concentrations, we can experience loss of consciousness or alcohol poisoning.
Many of the signs we associate with being drunk — such as slurred speech, poor coordination, and impaired judgment — are due to alcohol’s effect on the brain. In fact, alcohol typically reaches our brain within 5 minutes, and we can begin feeling its effects within 10 minutes. But what makes you drunk exactly?
Alcohol crosses something called the blood-brain barrier, a group of cells surrounding the brain that protects it from invaders such as toxins and bacteria. Some substances are able to pass through if they dissolve easily in water or fat, and alcohol is one of those substances.
Once alcohol enters our brain, it triggers a number of processes that lead to the typical signs of drunkenness. Our brains are highly complex structures that contain a delicate balance of neurotransmitters — chemicals that carry signals between nerve cells. Two neurotransmitters in particular are responsible for causing many of the symptoms we associate with intoxication.
The more alcohol we consume, the more alcohol builds in our bloodstream, and the greater the effects on GABA and glutamate. This is why intoxication leads to slower reaction times, slower thought processes, loss of motor control, slurred speech, dizziness, and lowered inhibitions.
Now that we have a general understanding of how alcohol causes intoxication, let’s get a bit more specific: what parts of the brain does alcohol affect that makes us drunk? Here’s a look at 6 areas of our brain that alcohol acts on to cause those familiar symptoms of intoxication:
With alcohol affecting all these different parts of our brain, it’s no wonder we start to lose control of our movements, speech, and judgment!
Feeling drunk might initially involve a short-lived “buzz” caused by a rush of dopamine. We might then feel sluggish and uncoordinated as the depressant effects kick in.
The neurotransmitter chaos created by alcohol can lead to unpredictable moods — laughing one minute and crying the next. We could even get aggressive or make impulsive decisions.
If we continue to drink, our coordination is likely to worsen, we might slur our words, or we could be hit by a wave of fatigue (and maybe even fall asleep!).
How much alcohol makes you drunk? If you ask two different people, you’ll get two different answers. That’s because a lot of factors go into how alcohol affects us.
So what can we do to avoid intoxication? Is it possible to still drink without becoming drunk? Yes! However, given alcohol’s negative effects on both our short- and long-term physical and mental health, it’s worth limiting consumption or quitting alcohol altogether. It’s even possible our body is sending us signals to reduce drinking. However, if we do choose to drink, here are 6 tips for avoiding intoxication:
Many of the signs we associate with intoxication arise because alcohol slows brain processes and activity. It acts on important neurotransmitters and affects the parts of our brain associated with balance, coordination, judgment, memory and decision-making. While no one is immune to alcohol’s intoxicating effect, various factors can influence its intensity, such as our weight, sex, age, and drinking speed. We can avoid intoxication by practicing mindful drinking, hydrating as we drink, and eating food while drinking.
If you’re looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption but not sure where to start, Reframe can help. We’ve helped millions of people not only change their relationship with alcohol, but develop healthier lifestyle habits that enhance their well-being.
It’s fairly easy to recognize when someone is drunk. Their speech becomes slurred, their movements uncoordinated, and their judgment and inhibitions go out the window. But have you ever wondered, why does alcohol make you drunk? What exactly is happening inside the body and brain?
In this post, we’ll explore how alcohol interacts with our bodily systems to cause many of the symptoms we associate with being drunk. We’ll also offer tips on how to avoid intoxication. Let’s get started!
What is in alcohol that makes you drunk? To understand the answer, it’s helpful to understand exactly what alcohol is. When we talk about alcohol in the context of beverages, we’re referring to active ingredient ethanol. This clear, colorless liquid is produced through the process of fermentation, in which yeast converts sugars into alcohol. For instance, beer is made from the sugars in malted barley, wine from the sugars in grapes, and vodka from the sugars in potatoes.
When we drink beverages that contain ethanol (the active compound in alcohol), the chemical enters our bloodstream quickly, circulates throughout our body, and travels to various organs. We can gauge how much alcohol has affected us from our blood alcohol content (BAC), which tells us just how much alcohol has entered our bloodstream. For instance, a BAC of 0.08 indicates that there are 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of a person's blood, which is often the legal driving limit.
Alcohol’s effects are more obvious at greater blood alcohol concentrations. At lower BAC levels, people might experience feelings of relaxation and sociability. However, when BAC rises, these sensations can morph into unsteady movements and poor judgment — and at dangerously high concentrations, we can experience loss of consciousness or alcohol poisoning.
Many of the signs we associate with being drunk — such as slurred speech, poor coordination, and impaired judgment — are due to alcohol’s effect on the brain. In fact, alcohol typically reaches our brain within 5 minutes, and we can begin feeling its effects within 10 minutes. But what makes you drunk exactly?
Alcohol crosses something called the blood-brain barrier, a group of cells surrounding the brain that protects it from invaders such as toxins and bacteria. Some substances are able to pass through if they dissolve easily in water or fat, and alcohol is one of those substances.
Once alcohol enters our brain, it triggers a number of processes that lead to the typical signs of drunkenness. Our brains are highly complex structures that contain a delicate balance of neurotransmitters — chemicals that carry signals between nerve cells. Two neurotransmitters in particular are responsible for causing many of the symptoms we associate with intoxication.
The more alcohol we consume, the more alcohol builds in our bloodstream, and the greater the effects on GABA and glutamate. This is why intoxication leads to slower reaction times, slower thought processes, loss of motor control, slurred speech, dizziness, and lowered inhibitions.
Now that we have a general understanding of how alcohol causes intoxication, let’s get a bit more specific: what parts of the brain does alcohol affect that makes us drunk? Here’s a look at 6 areas of our brain that alcohol acts on to cause those familiar symptoms of intoxication:
With alcohol affecting all these different parts of our brain, it’s no wonder we start to lose control of our movements, speech, and judgment!
Feeling drunk might initially involve a short-lived “buzz” caused by a rush of dopamine. We might then feel sluggish and uncoordinated as the depressant effects kick in.
The neurotransmitter chaos created by alcohol can lead to unpredictable moods — laughing one minute and crying the next. We could even get aggressive or make impulsive decisions.
If we continue to drink, our coordination is likely to worsen, we might slur our words, or we could be hit by a wave of fatigue (and maybe even fall asleep!).
How much alcohol makes you drunk? If you ask two different people, you’ll get two different answers. That’s because a lot of factors go into how alcohol affects us.
So what can we do to avoid intoxication? Is it possible to still drink without becoming drunk? Yes! However, given alcohol’s negative effects on both our short- and long-term physical and mental health, it’s worth limiting consumption or quitting alcohol altogether. It’s even possible our body is sending us signals to reduce drinking. However, if we do choose to drink, here are 6 tips for avoiding intoxication:
Many of the signs we associate with intoxication arise because alcohol slows brain processes and activity. It acts on important neurotransmitters and affects the parts of our brain associated with balance, coordination, judgment, memory and decision-making. While no one is immune to alcohol’s intoxicating effect, various factors can influence its intensity, such as our weight, sex, age, and drinking speed. We can avoid intoxication by practicing mindful drinking, hydrating as we drink, and eating food while drinking.
If you’re looking to cut back on your alcohol consumption but not sure where to start, Reframe can help. We’ve helped millions of people not only change their relationship with alcohol, but develop healthier lifestyle habits that enhance their well-being.
Night sweats after drinking: they happen to many of us, but they can be frustrating. So why does drinking alcohol cause night sweats? And what can we do about them? Let’s take a look at the science.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
Alcohol has many adverse effects on our bodies and minds. There are the short-term discomforts like hangovers and “hangxiety,” as well as long-term effects on our physical and mental health. Today, we're discussing an issue that falls somewhere between the two: night sweats related to alcohol use.
How does alcohol use lead to night sweats? And what steps can be taken to prevent them? In this post, we’ll explore the causes of night sweats related to alcohol use and discuss how cutting back on or quitting alcohol can help.
First, let's define night sweats. Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep, often leading to damp or soaked sheets and clothing. While occasional night sweats are normal, persistent night sweats can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition or lifestyle factor, such as sweating at night after drinking.
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system, leading to a range of physical and psychological effects. When we consume alcohol, it can cause our bodies to become dehydrated, leading to increased thirst and a need to urinate more frequently. These effects can contribute to night sweats, as our bodies attempt to regulate our temperature and maintain proper hydration levels during sleep.
In addition to dehydration, alcohol use can also lead to changes in our body's hormones and neurotransmitters, which can impact our sleep patterns and contribute to sweating at night after drinking. For example, alcohol can increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which can disrupt our sleep and lead to night sweats. It can also decrease the production of the hormone vasopressin, which regulates our body's fluid balance, leading to dehydration and increased thirst.
Night sweats are one of the many signals that we’re drinking too much. If we heed the warning signs early on, we can prevent this issue from persisting or leading to other health challenges.
Night sweats related to alcohol use can have negative consequences for both our physical and psychological health. Here are a few of the potential negative consequences of alcohol night sweats:
So, how can we prevent night sweats related to alcohol use? The most effective solution is to cut back on or quit drinking alcohol altogether. By reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, our bodies can rehydrate, and regulating our fluid balance more effectively, and reducing the likelihood of night sweats.
Deciding to cut back or quit drinking alcohol can be difficult, but it's a powerful step towards improving your physical and mental health. Whether you are looking to reduce your alcohol consumption or quit altogether, there are steps you can take.
The first step in cutting back or quitting alcohol is to set clear goals and make a plan. This might involve setting limits on the amount and frequency of alcohol you consume, or it could mean committing to abstaining from alcohol altogether. Whatever your goals, it's important to be specific and measurable. For example, instead of saying "I want to drink less," you might set a goal to only have one drink per day, or to go alcohol-free for a month.
Once you have set your goals, make a plan to achieve them. This might involve finding alternative, alcohol-free ways to socialize or manage stress, such as taking up a new hobby or joining a sober social group. You might also consider enlisting the support of friends or family members who can help you stay accountable to your goals.
Many people turn to alcohol as a way of coping with stress or difficult emotions. If you’re trying to cut back or quit drinking, it's important to find alternative coping strategies to manage these feelings in a healthy way. This might involve learning relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, or finding physical activities that release tension and boost your mood, such as yoga or running.
You might also consider seeking support from a mental health professional, who can help you develop coping strategies and address any underlying emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to your alcohol use. With the right support and strategies in place, you can manage your emotions in a healthy way and reduce your dependence on alcohol.
Finally, it's important to create a supportive environment that can help you achieve your goals. This might involve avoiding situations or people that trigger your desire to drink, or finding friends and social groups who are supportive of your decision to cut back or quit drinking. You might also consider finding a support group or seeking counseling to connect with others who are on a similar journey.
In addition to creating a supportive environment, take care of yourself in other ways that can improve your overall health and well-being: get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and practice good sleep hygiene. By taking care of your body and mind, you can reduce the impact of alcohol on your physical and psychological health, and enjoy greater success in cutting back or quitting alcohol.
Alcohol has many adverse effects on our bodies and minds. There are the short-term discomforts like hangovers and “hangxiety,” as well as long-term effects on our physical and mental health. Today, we're discussing an issue that falls somewhere between the two: night sweats related to alcohol use.
How does alcohol use lead to night sweats? And what steps can be taken to prevent them? In this post, we’ll explore the causes of night sweats related to alcohol use and discuss how cutting back on or quitting alcohol can help.
First, let's define night sweats. Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep, often leading to damp or soaked sheets and clothing. While occasional night sweats are normal, persistent night sweats can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition or lifestyle factor, such as sweating at night after drinking.
Alcohol is a depressant that affects the central nervous system, leading to a range of physical and psychological effects. When we consume alcohol, it can cause our bodies to become dehydrated, leading to increased thirst and a need to urinate more frequently. These effects can contribute to night sweats, as our bodies attempt to regulate our temperature and maintain proper hydration levels during sleep.
In addition to dehydration, alcohol use can also lead to changes in our body's hormones and neurotransmitters, which can impact our sleep patterns and contribute to sweating at night after drinking. For example, alcohol can increase the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which can disrupt our sleep and lead to night sweats. It can also decrease the production of the hormone vasopressin, which regulates our body's fluid balance, leading to dehydration and increased thirst.
Night sweats are one of the many signals that we’re drinking too much. If we heed the warning signs early on, we can prevent this issue from persisting or leading to other health challenges.
Night sweats related to alcohol use can have negative consequences for both our physical and psychological health. Here are a few of the potential negative consequences of alcohol night sweats:
So, how can we prevent night sweats related to alcohol use? The most effective solution is to cut back on or quit drinking alcohol altogether. By reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption, our bodies can rehydrate, and regulating our fluid balance more effectively, and reducing the likelihood of night sweats.
Deciding to cut back or quit drinking alcohol can be difficult, but it's a powerful step towards improving your physical and mental health. Whether you are looking to reduce your alcohol consumption or quit altogether, there are steps you can take.
The first step in cutting back or quitting alcohol is to set clear goals and make a plan. This might involve setting limits on the amount and frequency of alcohol you consume, or it could mean committing to abstaining from alcohol altogether. Whatever your goals, it's important to be specific and measurable. For example, instead of saying "I want to drink less," you might set a goal to only have one drink per day, or to go alcohol-free for a month.
Once you have set your goals, make a plan to achieve them. This might involve finding alternative, alcohol-free ways to socialize or manage stress, such as taking up a new hobby or joining a sober social group. You might also consider enlisting the support of friends or family members who can help you stay accountable to your goals.
Many people turn to alcohol as a way of coping with stress or difficult emotions. If you’re trying to cut back or quit drinking, it's important to find alternative coping strategies to manage these feelings in a healthy way. This might involve learning relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation, or finding physical activities that release tension and boost your mood, such as yoga or running.
You might also consider seeking support from a mental health professional, who can help you develop coping strategies and address any underlying emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to your alcohol use. With the right support and strategies in place, you can manage your emotions in a healthy way and reduce your dependence on alcohol.
Finally, it's important to create a supportive environment that can help you achieve your goals. This might involve avoiding situations or people that trigger your desire to drink, or finding friends and social groups who are supportive of your decision to cut back or quit drinking. You might also consider finding a support group or seeking counseling to connect with others who are on a similar journey.
In addition to creating a supportive environment, take care of yourself in other ways that can improve your overall health and well-being: get regular exercise, eat a healthy diet, and practice good sleep hygiene. By taking care of your body and mind, you can reduce the impact of alcohol on your physical and psychological health, and enjoy greater success in cutting back or quitting alcohol.
You may have heard the term toxic positivity before but what does it really mean? Can positivity be toxic? The answer is yes. According to Tabitha Kirkland, a psychologist and associate teaching professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Psychology, “Toxic positivity is a way of responding to your own or someone else’s suffering that comes across as a lack of empathy. It dismisses emotions instead of affirming them and could come from a place of discomfort.”
You may have heard the term toxic positivity before but what does it really mean? Can positivity be toxic? The answer is yes. According to Tabitha Kirkland, a psychologist and associate teaching professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Psychology, “Toxic positivity is a way of responding to your own or someone else’s suffering that comes across as a lack of empathy. It dismisses emotions instead of affirming them and could come from a place of discomfort.”
Some examples of toxic positivity include:
Being overly positive can also negatively impact our relationships. If you are someone who is constantly invalidating or minimizing others feelings with dismissing statements, people can interpret that as being fake or hard to connect with. Toxic positivity can also negatively affect your children, if you are a parent or guardian. “With children, our impulse may be to tell them, ‘You’re OK’ or ‘It’s not a big deal’ or ‘Stop crying, everything is fine.’ This teaches them that their negative feelings aren’t OK and can be influential on how they develop and process their concepts about emotion, and how they learn to express or not express their own emotions,” Kirkland explains.
So how do we avoid toxic positivity? The first step is practicing empathy. When we practice empathy, we truly meet the needs of others by listening and supporting them. Empathy is an essential element to any healthy relationship and we need to have strong empathy practices if we want to strengthen our mind and our connections. When we use toxic positivity phrases like “it’s not that bad” or “it could be worse” when our friends are speaking with us, we tend to invalidate their feelings or even devalue their emotions. Remind yourself that oftentimes when someone needs an ear they simply need someone to listen, not provide feedback
But if you find yourself in a position where someone is asking for feedback or words of encouragement, it's important to adjust our language to avoid toxic phrases. Here are some “Harmful to Helpful” phrases that can get you started on your journey:
You may have heard the term toxic positivity before but what does it really mean? Can positivity be toxic? The answer is yes. According to Tabitha Kirkland, a psychologist and associate teaching professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Psychology, “Toxic positivity is a way of responding to your own or someone else’s suffering that comes across as a lack of empathy. It dismisses emotions instead of affirming them and could come from a place of discomfort.”
Some examples of toxic positivity include:
Being overly positive can also negatively impact our relationships. If you are someone who is constantly invalidating or minimizing others feelings with dismissing statements, people can interpret that as being fake or hard to connect with. Toxic positivity can also negatively affect your children, if you are a parent or guardian. “With children, our impulse may be to tell them, ‘You’re OK’ or ‘It’s not a big deal’ or ‘Stop crying, everything is fine.’ This teaches them that their negative feelings aren’t OK and can be influential on how they develop and process their concepts about emotion, and how they learn to express or not express their own emotions,” Kirkland explains.
So how do we avoid toxic positivity? The first step is practicing empathy. When we practice empathy, we truly meet the needs of others by listening and supporting them. Empathy is an essential element to any healthy relationship and we need to have strong empathy practices if we want to strengthen our mind and our connections. When we use toxic positivity phrases like “it’s not that bad” or “it could be worse” when our friends are speaking with us, we tend to invalidate their feelings or even devalue their emotions. Remind yourself that oftentimes when someone needs an ear they simply need someone to listen, not provide feedback
But if you find yourself in a position where someone is asking for feedback or words of encouragement, it's important to adjust our language to avoid toxic phrases. Here are some “Harmful to Helpful” phrases that can get you started on your journey:
