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  • Join Dry July and feel better for it

    AIA Vitality NZ - 3 min read

    13 July 2022

    Going alcohol-free for four weeks. It might seem like a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. Plus, the countless health benefits that follow will make your journey well worth it.

    If you’ve been looking for a reason to take a break from drinking, Dry July is a great option. It’s a fundraiser campaign that challenges people to go alcohol-free for the month of July, all while raising funds for New Zealanders affected by cancer. But you don’t have to wait for Dry July or Octsober, any time is a good time to start reducing your alcohol intake and reaping the rewards

    Over the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption increased by 22% among some New Zealanders and it hasn’t decreased since1. Now that we’re out of lockdown, it’s a good opportunity to get back into healthier habits

    Studies have shown that there are staggering benefits that even four weeks without alcohol can do for your overall health, including higher quality sleep, lower anxiety, and a decrease in liver fat and body weight2. However, if you’re not ready to stop drinking altogether, even swapping a wine for a water once this month can make all the difference.

    Curious to learn more? Check out Dry July. And remember, even if you’ve missed the starting date, you can still reduce your alcohol intake and donate at any time.

    The impact of alcohol on your health

    Alcohol is considered one of the five modifiable factors (physical inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking, excess alcohol and our interaction with the environment) that lead to five non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, heart disease, and mental health conditions and disorders. And these factors are responsible for more than 90 per cent of deaths in New Zealand.

    You don’t have to tackle all five modifiable factors in one go because even small steps can lead to long-term changes. Dry July is just a great opportunity to see how you feel after not drinking and also a chance to build new, healthier habits.

    You don’t think you drink a lot? It’s common for New Zealanders to underestimate how much they drink. If this is you, it may be worth keeping a drinking diary to track how many beverages you actually have over the week. And if you’re at home, be sure to measure how much you pour, otherwise, it’s all too easy to accidently consume more than one standard drink at a time.

    Four weeks alcohol-free could make all the difference

    One month may seem like too little time to show any health benefits, but not drinking for four weeks can have dramatic, positive health effects. And not to mention a 100% reduction in hangovers. 

    A study conducted by Professor Kevin Moore found3 that a 30-day break in alcohol led to a significant drop in blood pressure and cholesterol, a decrease in insulin resistance, which is the main factor driving the development of diabetes and fatty liver disease, weight loss and a drop in two growth factors that are tied to cancer development. 

    Even being sober for one week has positive benefits to your health. Your sleep pattern will improve, and on average, you’ll get an extra five to six REM cycles a night4, which is a stage of sleep associated with dreaming and memory consolidation. The benefits of higher quality sleep include better decision making, improved learning and problem-solving. Even eating patterns and hydration will improve, resulting in brighter skin, fewer headaches and stable moods.

    Considering these findings, pausing your alcohol consumption could help you reflect on your current lifestyle and make long-term changes for the better. 

    Tips for building long-term habits

    One hurdle many people face is reverting to their previous alcohol consumption once the four weeks are over. But there are tricks you can do to stay alcohol-free while you continue to build your new habits.

    Wanting to blend in at the pub on a night out with friends? With the recent boom in alcohol-free options, there are now many non-alcoholic beers, wines and even alcohol-free spirits you can order at the bar so you don’t have to go without something a little bit fancy.

    If you’re an AIA Vitality member, you can attend an Allen Carr's Easyway To Stop Drinking seminar free of charge and you’ll also score 500 AIA Vitality Points.

    Building long-term habits can take work, but with your new and improved mood and health, you’ll have more energy to enjoy quality time with your family and friends – need we say more? Take the challenge of going alcohol-free. Learn more at Dry July. 

    Footnotes:

    1. https://www.actionpoint.org.nz/covid_19_and_nz_drinking
    2. https://www.oneyearnobeer.com/
    3. https://www.topdoctors.co.uk/medical-articles/the-effect-of-dry-january-what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-give-up-alcohol-for-one-month#
    4. https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/benefits-of-giving-up-alcohol-for-a-month#:~:text=Summary,from%20not%20dealing%20with%20alcohol
    Find out more about
    AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is the science-backed programme that helps you learn more about your health, offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way. 


    Learn more about our product family

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    Article by: AIA Vitality Staff Writer

    Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday New Zealanders live healthier lives. 

    Disclaimer: The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.


    This content is brought to you by AIA Vitality

    AIA Vitality is a personalised, health and wellbeing programme that supports you every day to make healthier lifestyle choices. Visit aiavitality.co.nz

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