You want to know the best way to avoid a hangover? Get pregnant. [*Warning: Do not try this at home*] Having a baby is the best way to avoid that hangover after a long night of tequila shots and dancing on tables. Although that does sound fun, you pay the next day.
It’s a long time, trust me I know, but imagine a life where you wake up fresh daily and don’t worry about chugging water and needing a BEC (bacon, egg + cheese, duh) to try and soak up the mistakes you made the night before.
The challenge I’m posing to you is not to get pregnant [phew], or even to quit drinking for 9-months [phew again], but to try to take a break for a week or a month. There are benefits I wasn’t aware of until I did a little digging. Here are the Cliff Notes:
- Salads vs. fries, hmm — studies show that if you hold off on that drink you’re more likely to make better food choices. Your body craves higher calorie foods when alcohol is involved. [this makes sense as you were weirdly craving salads during your first pregnancy…]
- The days of Atkins are gone [it’s called Keto now] – your metabolism can increase when cutting out alcohol from your diet. Find me someone who wouldn’t want a pant size less…
- Put me in, coach! – you will have more energy and better sleep from cutting that glass of wine before bedtime. Your body rests more and is able to tackle more the next day as well.
- Oh you fancy, huh? – your hair, skin and nails will say thank you. It just takes a few days for your skin to feel more hydrated and look brighter.
The Rules of the Game
Part 1: Cutting it out
If we’re going to do this we need some terms. The challenge is to start small, cut out alcohol Monday-Thursday every week, or at least two times per month. [does two days in the month count?] If you have more willpower than most of us, you’d do a 30-day no alcohol challenge. Give your body a little break, and opt for the club soda sans vodka.
It’s always easier to do something like this with some company. Add a sibling or friend to the challenge and hold each other accountable. [hope you’re not looking at me] For each time you fail add $5 to a (virtual) hat and at the end of that month the person who lost sends out a nice Venmo payment to their buddy.
Part 2: Easing back into it
If you choose to do a 30-day challenge, good for you, but coming back to reality doesn’t mean throwing your fresh new skin and body out the door. You should consider a two drink maximum [TWO?!], or a good number that will allow you to have fun but at the same time not over do it. [oh ok so five]
The long game
Trust me, I get it, after a long day babysitting co-workers or even babysitting your own kids you want a nice glass of wine while you kick your feet up. In the end, there is more than just the stunning skin benefits from cutting out alcohol for short periods of time. You learn a lot about your own drinking patterns and yourself.
You have a new power over your body and the decisions you make, and honestly, that in itself creates some great new habits. I joke when I say 9-month detox, because those months you’re pregnant all you want is a damn drink… [there she is!] but you never wake up with a bad hangover.
Who will you challenge? Tell us how it goes for you and what benefits you find from nixing the booze (for a little while)!
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