What is Sober October and how to participate

The past couple of years has been depressing. Because of the ubiquitous coronavirus, people have had to deal with a lot of things including the loss of a loved one. Many people divorced their partners, got fired from their jobs, and some even reached the poverty line. If all of these tragic things have made you turn to alcohol, then you are not alone.

There is nothing wrong with drinking once in a while to let loose. However, when drinking becomes a habit or a ritual, then you have a lot to worry about. Drinking too much doesn’t just harm your physical well-being, it also ruins the relationships you have nourished over the years. The people in your life may start worrying about your drinking problem.

All about Sober October

According to health experts, the recommended amount of drinking for women is one drink per day and for women, it is two drinks a day. This idea of abstaining from alcohol for the whole month of October was started in the United Kingdom as a way to raise money for people battling cancer.

Just like Dry January, Sober October is a 31-day challenge, and money raised goes to help Macmillan Cancer Support. However, even if you do not wish to participate or donate money to this cause, Sober October is still a very good way to help reset the body. It will help you understand your relationship with alcohol in a better way.

Health benefits of Sober October

Apart from having no hangovers and headaches, there are plenty of health benefits from taking a month off of alcohol:

• Saves your liver from cancer and other diseases

• Reduces sleep-related problems, anxiety issues, and depression

• Improves your concentration

• Improves your immune health

• Lowers the cholesterol levels

• Less irritability and more control over your emotions

Telling friends and family about this challenge will be beneficial for you as they may help you in your journey of sobriety. If things get rough, you can deal with your emotions in a healthy way by journaling them or by talking to a therapist.

It can be really challenging to stay away from alcohol especially if you are a heavy drinker. But once you stick to it, you will notice a dramatic difference in your mood and overall health.