Alcohol Awareness Week takes place from 16th to 22nd of November. The annual event, which is organised by the charity Alcohol Concern, aims to reduce the harm caused by alcohol misuse, and raise awareness of alcohol issues. With the Festive season around the corner, more and more people will be consuming excessive amounts of alcohol.
What Is Alcohol Awareness Week?
While many people can enjoy a drink in moderation and within recommended guidelines, others struggle with addiction. According to Alcohol Concern over 1.6 million people in the UK live with an alcohol addiction.
Alcohol can cause health problems such as stroke, cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.
Throughout Alcohol Awareness Week the charity is encouraging people to think about the affect alcohol has on our society. Local authorities and other organisations, from pharmacies to treatment service providers, are also involved, so look out for events in your local area.
As a personal trainer, this is the ideal time to inform your clients of the effects alcohol can have on their bodies. You can even assist them with keeping their alcohol consumption in order over the Christmas period, to keep their good work in order.
The Effects It Has
Alcohol misuse includes regularly drinking more than the recommended guidelines. This differs for men and women. For men, sensible drinking is no more than three to four units of alcohol a day. For women, it’s two to three units a day.
Drinking excessively can affect both physical and psychological wellbeing. The risks increase with the amount you drink. If you regularly drink above the recommended guidelines, cutting back on alcohol can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing. Try reducing your intake over the winter months, and you’ll notice a big difference quickly.
What’s The Benefit By Cutting Back?
As well as feeling better in the mornings, you’ll have more energy and feel less tired during the day; which is great when you’re taking part in a fitness regime. Your skin may start to look and feel better. Alcohol dries the skin, so without it your skin will feel more hydrated, which means you’ll be less prone to fine lines and premature ageing. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels under the skin, and over time, the capillaries can burst causing permanent redness.
Cutting out the booze may also mean you feel less bloated. Alcohol is dehydrating so the body has to retain more water as a result. This can cause puffy cheeks and under-eye bags. Then there’s the weight issue. Drinking too much means you’re consuming too many calories, which can cause you to pile on the pounds. By cutting down, alongside a better diet and fitness regime, you can lose weight and feel fitter.
As part of Alcohol Awareness Week, Alcohol Concern is encouraging people to make a change. Cutting back through the winter is a great way to improve health, fitness and wellbeing. And as a personal Trainer, now is great time to highlight how those extra few glasses of wine, could be having a huge effect on your clients’ fitness goals.