Join Dry July and feel better for it

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.

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.

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. 

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.