To drink or not to drink...

4min Read ⏰

Alcohol is everywhere—parties, dinners, quiet nights in. It’s so normalised (especially here in Ireland!) that most of us never really stop to question it. But since I decided to quit drinking back in mid-January, I’ve been taking a good, hard look at what it was doing to me—and let me tell you, the benefits of going alcohol-free have been more than worth it.

Here’s my take on alcohol, health, and why you might want to rethink your relationship with it.

Why Alcohol isn't Your Friend

Let’s cut straight to it: there is a clear downside to alcohol. If you’re aiming to maximise your healthspan and lifespan, these effects can’t be ignored.

1. Dehydration Sucks
   Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it messes with your hydration levels. Even just a couple of drinks can leave you dried out, with fatigue, muscle cramps, and sluggish recovery as your parting gift.

2. Your Sleep Takes a Hit
   Sure, alcohol might help you fall asleep, but what it doesn’t help with is good sleep. It messes with REM sleep—the stage you need for proper recovery and mental clarity. Less REM = worse energy and performance.

3. Slows You Down
   Heavy drinking makes your liver work overtime processing alcohol instead of repairing your body. For anyone into fitness (or just life in general), this slower recovery time can lead to injuries and feeling like you’re running on empty.

4. Weight Gain Is Real
   Alcohol itself isn’t automatically fattening, but it can lead to poor food choices. Plus, those drink calories add up fast—especially when you’re in that “ah, just one more” mode.

5. Long-Term Stress on the Body
   Regular drinking puts a strain on your liver, heart, and mental health. If you’re in this for the long game (like 120 years 😉), it’s worth thinking about the impact alcohol might have on your healthspan.

What I’ve Learned Since January

When I decided to stop drinking, I wasn’t expecting miracles—I was just curious to see what would happen. Turns out, the difference it’s made has been worth hanging onto.

• Energy Levels are Increased: I wake up feeling ready to go, no fog, no grogginess and no need to lean into laziness or comfort food.

• Sleep is Improved: Deeper, better quality sleep contributes to a better week. With sleep being one of my three priorities now (see FFS) this has helped me build consistency.

• Fitness is on Fire: My workouts feel better, I’m recovering faster, and my body feels stronger. Sticking to my daily routine is a much simpler task.

• Mental Clarity: My focus has sharpened, and my motivation has increased. In my day job, hobbies and at home the difference has been clear to me.

• I Don’t Miss It: Social events? Still fun. Stress relief? Found new ways. Turns out, alcohol didn’t add as much as I thought it did! Honestly, I think you’ll find out the same once you try it.

So, Should You Drink?

The truth is, it’s up to you. For some people, a drink here and there works just fine. For others, cutting it out (or at least cutting it down) could be life-changing.

Here’s how to strike a balance:

• Keep It Minimal: If you’re drinking, aim for moderation—keep it to the weekends or special occasions. And when you do drink, just don’t overdo it.

• Hydrate Like a Pro: Drink water alongside alcohol to reduce the dehydration hit. One glass of water between each drink is an easy way to manage this.

• Test It Out: Take a month off and see how you feel. You might be surprised at the difference. My own experiment started just like this and I’ve chosen to keep it going.

The Bottom Line

Here’s the thing: I’m not saying everyone needs to quit alcohol completely, but knowing the impact it has on your body and your goals is important. For me, cutting it out has been a game-changer—not just for my health, but for my mindset and energy too - especially on the weekends.

So, whether you’re sipping a beer, a glass of wine, or sparkling water, make the choice that helps you live better, feel better, and get closer to your goals. Your future self will thank you for it.

Appreciate you all.

Jamie.

P.S. Other drinks are available.
One thing that has really helped me with the habit of drinking, has been taking advantage of the huge range of high quality non-alcoholic beers now available. No need to deprive myself completely!

^{NOTE: I am not a financial advisor, planner or have any formal healthcare education. &Prosper is simply a way for me to share my own journey and offer resources I have found useful. With this, I am starting from near zero and I hope to show that anyone can significantly improve their health and financial wellbeing.}