Dry January might be over, but perhaps it’s time for a midyear break from the bottle. Do you need a new challenge? Maybe you should consider a sober summer. 

Alcohol has played a role in human existence since before recorded history. However, we know much more today about how this substance affects you. According to the World Health Organization, no amount is truly safe for your health. 

Furthermore, the joy alcohol provides is temporary, and many people find the consequences that accompany the habit aren’t worth it. Who wants to waste the most beautiful time of the year with a hangover? Here are six reasons to have a sober summer. 

1. You Might Drink More Than You Think 

How much do you really drink? You might be surprised if you keep track for a week and jot down every beverage in a notebook. Maybe you’re OK Monday through Thursday but consider all bets off on weekends. What does binge drinking do to your health? 

It isn’t pretty. Experts define moderate drinking as two or less beverages daily, do you always say “when” after that amount? Many people don’t, continuing to imbibe as long as the barbecue lasts, often suffering the consequences of a sore head the next day. They might even wake up Sunday morning with a little hair of the dog in the form of a Bloody Mary to ward off hangovers. 

It’s too easy for a temporary “cure” to become a habit. Before you know it, you need a drink just to feel “on your level” in the morning. 

What’s scary is you might not recognize what this habit is doing to your cognition because you can’t think clearly. “Stinking thinking” is a real phenomenon consisting of irrational thoughts that follow a trigger, like reacting to every minor physical, mental or emotional discomfort with, “I need a drink.”

2. It Will Help You Shed Unwanted Pounds 

A sober summer will accelerate your weight loss efforts if you’re trying to diet. Alcohol is notoriously high in calories, and some types are high in carbs. 

Additionally, alcohol use disorder causes changes in your intestinal microbiota that can influence multiple factors, from how your brain perceives hunger to digestion. You could develop cravings you find hard to resist, as drinking lowers your inhibitions, including those that help you stick to your diet. 

What if you can’t stomach the thought of a summer barbecue without a beverage in hand? Have you tried mocktails? Some contain healthy herbs like passionflower that help you relax without the adverse effects. Even a pretty glass of infused water garnished with strawberry and mint looks like an elegant gin cocktail, only you know the secret. 

3. You’ll Lower Systemic Inflammation 

Chronic, systemwide inflammation is a hallmark of disease and a contributor to symptom severity. The effect may be particularly profound if you have an autoimmune disorder. Your body perceives alcohol as a foreign stressor and increases its immune response, leading to worsening swelling and discomfort. 

Have you noticed that the scale reads a pound or two higher after a night of heavy drinking? You didn’t pile on that much fat overnight. However, your body’s tissues retain excess fluid. 

Some people with chronic alcohol use disorder develop ascites. This term refers to a fluid buildup in your abdomen and is a hallmark of cirrhosis. That “cute” beer belly isn’t so adorable when you recognize the health risk it represents. 

4. You Could Decrease Stubborn High Blood Pressure 

Is your blood pressure high despite dietary changes and exercise? The issue could lie in the bottle. Even one drink temporarily increases your pressure, although it goes back down if you don’t take another. However, long-term abuse can lead to ongoing elevated readings. 

Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of men and women worldwide, and high blood pressure is a frequent contributor. A sober summer could slash your cardiovascular risk. 

5. You’ll Banish More Brain Fog 

You’ve probably noticed that you feel fuzzy-headed the morning after one too many, even if you don’t have a full-blown hangover. That’s because of the effect alcohol has on your neurotransmitters. Here’s a handy chart that can help you remember how drinking affects them: 

  • GABA: This is your body’s natural valium. Alcohol binds to this neurotransmitter’s receptors, relaxing you, although the rebound effect creates more anxiety. 
  • Adenosine: This neurotransmitter makes you sleepy. Alcohol temporarily increases adenosine, which is how the nightcap originated. However, it wears off, causing wakefulness throughout the night and disrupting regular sleep patterns. 
  • Glutamate: It’s the opposite of GABA. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter that increases during alcohol withdrawal as your brain tries to rebalance your levels. As a result, you get the dreaded “hangxiety” or anxious feelings after drinking that can make you reach for another. 
  • Dopamine: This is your brain’s “do that again” chemical. Alcohol’s effect on this neurotransmitter is dangerous because it increases levels, making you want to drink more once you start. 

6. You’ll Improve Your Mood and Mindset 

If you suspect neurotransmitter disruption affects your mood, you’re right. People with alcohol-use disorder are more likely to have anxiety and depression, although how the problem started can be a chicken-or-egg question. 

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which came first, the depressed or anxious mood or the alcohol use. The two conditions continue building on one another, and the neurotransmitter disruption drinking causes can make it impossible to quit safely by yourself, you could require medical supervision. Even then, it can take months for your brain to return to normal. Celebrate a sober summer instead, hitting pause before you reach that point. 

Reasons to Have a Sober Summer 

You don’t need to drink to enjoy fun in the sun. There are plenty of reasons to consider a sober summer. Switch up your cup today and improve your overall health.