Five good reasons to go sober for a month
Are you up for a personal challenge? Why not try steering clear of alcohol for one month? Here are five
reasons why you absolutely should say yes to no alcohol for a month!
The post-holiday period is often when people hit the reset button, committing to eating healthier, moving
more, and drinking less alcohol. In fact, there are several campaigns promoting a healthy, balanced
lifestyle in the months following this time of overindulgence. Think the Défi Santé health challenge, the 28
days sober challenge, or the Quit to win challenge. Stimulating ways to take action and feel better about
yourself!
1. Here’s to your health!
The results of scientific studies on the health effects of stopping alcohol for one month are
conclusive: benefits include weight loss, lower blood pressure, and better cholesterol levels[i].
Alcohol has a high glycemic index: a glass of beer is 145 calories, a glass of wine, 100 calories,
and fine spirits, like gin, are also 100 calories[ii].
You’ll also improve your overall fitness and have noticeably brighter skin. Keep in mind that
alcoholic drinks dry up the skin and, because they dilate the blood vessels, they can create redness
in the face.
Trick
Discover three healthy solutions to help you successfully complete the challenge:
1) Welcome to the world of tea and tisane! You’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the different options
out there. Take the opportunity to discover new flavours: green tea, black tea, white tea, chai tea, chai
latte, rooibos, camomile, ginger, lemon, and so on. Teatime is also a great way to get Zen. For a little
comfort, make yourself a chai
tea latte. And for a refreshing cocktail, try a raspberry and
green tea punch. Discover the ins and outs of tea here (in French only)!
2) Get moving! Temporary abstinence and fitness go hand in hand. When you get the urge to open a bottle of
wine, get some fresh air and go for a long walk instead. You can even sign up for a yoga class!
2. Here’s to savings!
You can save money by stopping or reducing your alcohol consumption. Think about it: how many bottles do you
buy every week? If you buy 2 or 3 bottles at $15 to $20 each, that’s almost $200 of savings you could
be making by the end of the challenge!
Trick
At the end of the month, celebrate your efforts with a family outing or a romantic dinner at the restaurant,
or a visit to the museum or the cinema!
3. Here’s to restorative sleep!
When it comes to feeling perfectly rested and full of energy, sobriety is key! Even if alcohol makes you feel
drowsy, it has been shown to disturb sleep by waking you up at night or early in the morning. By abstaining
for one month, you can enjoy a more restorative sleep and glowing skin!
4. Here’s to stepping up to the challenge alone or as a group
Virtual happy hours, family dinners, birthdays . . . drinking opportunities are endless! With
a little discipline and will-power, however, you can easily replace alcoholic drinks with mocktails,
smoothies, or flavoured water (think fresh mint or cucumber). You’ll be proud at the end of the month,
and you’ll have found new healthy alternatives for your celebrations! Completing such a challenge
brings on a real send of accomplishment and personal growth.
Trick
It’s better together! To stay motivated, encourage you partner or colleagues to do a sober month with
you. You could even create a fundraising campaign around the challenge, with the money raised going to an
organization specializing in addiction.
5. Here’s to new discoveries!
To complete the challenge, get inspired by the younger crowd for whom living in sobriety is a trend.
Millennials were the ones who really put mocktails on the map. These alcohol-free cocktails are the perfect
swap for alcoholic drinks, offering endless delicious beverages. Let your imagination go wild and create
your own mocktail with fresh fruit, fresh herbs, and citrus juice. You can also recreate mocktail versions
of classics such as the Mojito, Pina Colada, or Bloody Caesar.
Trick
Say hello to alcohol-free drinks and mocktails!
Plan a virtual happy hour with friends and introduce them to the world of mocktails. Use fresh ingredients
and a splash of creativity to add some pizazz to your evening!