Will Quitting Drinking Increase My Longevity?

Hello!

Those that know me well, know I am a mad Swans fan.

I mention this because last night I sat in the Chairmans lounge pre-game in Adelaide surrounded by boozers’ boozing left right and centre and not once did I feel a flicker of desire to reach for one. Whilst others got loud for an hour then flagged, I maintained a steady glow or shimmer of happiness the good old fashioned way – by chatting, watching and laughing – which allowed me to wake up feeling pretty bloody awesome this morning.

Drinking as an option is so removed from my habitual routine now that there is no trigger or urge creating an emotional desire for it. It wasn’t always the case. I needed to do “the work” to get here. Most of us do, but I want to assure you that – if you are not here already – you can get to this place too. It’s a calm and content place and one that features greater self confidence, respect and gratitude.

If you are a bit unsure and need a place to start, then consider either my new 5-Day Alcohol Reset Video Mini-Course (details below) or book in a chat with me. I’m always here for a chat to help.

What a bunch of super fit healthy group of athletes those AFL players are!  And guess what their on-season routine requires? Tight rules around alcohol! No alcohol to be consumed or allowed in club faculties, transport and change rooms in-season. Yep – says it all about what alcohol does to hold us mere mortals back.

This segue’s nicely into this week’s topic.

Does quitting alcohol improve my longevity?

Today we are looking at drinking less to through the lens of longevity. What a great perspective shift this allows, inspired by a recent podcast I listened to by longevity and neuro-athlete expert, Louisa Nicola. The answer is: yes it does.

Here are ten points on why abstaining from alcohol will enhance the quality of your life and increase your longevity:

1. Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Alcohol is directly linked to chronic diseases like liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cardiovascular diseases, and 6 types of cancers (mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver, colon and breast cancer). Abstaining reduces the risk of these conditions, leading to a longer, healthier life.

2. Improved Liver Health: The liver processes alcohol and drinking alcohol can lead to liver damage, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Avoiding it helps maintain liver function and overall health.

3. Enhanced Mental Health: Alcohol contributes to mental health issues like depression, anxiety and cognitive impairments. Abstinence can improve mental well-being and reduce the risk of alcohol-related mental health disorders.

4. Better Sleep Quality: Solid restorative sleep is directly linked to improved longevity. While alcohol might help you fall asleep initially, it greatly disrupts sleep patterns and reduces the quality of sleep increasing stress on your entire system.

5. Living Intuitively & Thriving in Life: Alcohol blocks our intuition and clouds our judgement. Drinking allows us to solider on and settle for mediocrity. We stop listening to our inner voice and do more people pleasing when we drink. When we quit drinking we become bolder, stronger and trust our intuition more. We make healthier choices, carve our personal space and make decisions that allow us to thrive.

6. Improved Cardiovascular Health: Abstaining entirely eliminates the risk of alcohol-induced heart problems, such as high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias.

7. Enhanced Immune System: Alcohol weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, and we know that a stronger immune system contributes to better health and longevity.

8. Weight Management: Alcoholic beverages are calorie-dense and directly contributes to weight gain. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, not to mention strain on our joints and overall happiness.

9. Accident Prevention: Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.

10. Better Digestive Health: Alcohol can irritate the digestive system, leading to issues like gastritis and acid reflux. Alcohol also prevents our digestive system from absorbing important nutrients. Avoiding alcohol helps maintain a healthy digestive tract, which is crucial for overall well-being and longevity.

Quitting the booze can extend our lifespan. Moreover it can enhance the quality of our life. No brainer? Yep!

Looking at quitting drinking through a longevity lens is just another way of reinforcing your decision to cut back. Take the leap if you haven’t done it already!

Take a look at my new Free 5-Day DO I HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM? Mini-Course Here!