Alcohol has long been known to have an effect on our physical health. Not only is its consumption linked to seven different kinds of cancer, but it can also cause digestive issues, memory problems, rosacea, and insomnia, among other issues.
Although many people believe that only excess alcohol consumption over a long period of time causes negative effects on our wellbeing, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, no amount of alcohol has been determined to be safe, and even short-term or binge drinking can have an impact on your body.
As a health coach in London, I regularly advise my clients about the potential dangers of drinking alcohol and let them know the physical and mental effects that it can have on their bodies.
The Physical Impacts Of Alcohol
Alcohol can cause a number of negative effects on the body. Not only can it cause physical damage to the liver, but it can also cause premature aging and negatively affect your appearance.
If you drink alcohol regularly, your sleep quality can be affected, and you’ll feel tired during the day. This could lead to accidents while driving or operating machinery, and in the long-term, insomnia and disturbed rest can cause other medical issues such as heart problems and high blood pressure.
Furthermore, alcohol can irritate the digestive system and stomach. This can happen even if you consume alcohol in small amounts since it makes the stomach produce excess acid, leading to stomach lining inflammation.
As a result, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach pain can occur. Alcohol has a role to play in hypertension, which increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and, of course, if you drink too much alcohol over a short period of time, you could develop alcohol poisoning which can be fatal.
Although damaging your appearance isn’t going to put your life at risk, it can cause emotional problems like low self-esteem or poor self-confidence. Alcohol dehydrates the body and the skin while depriving it of essential nutrients and vitamins. Heavy drinking in the long-term can also cause the skin disorder rosacea which can eventually cause redness and unsightly breakouts.
Alcohol’s Impact On Mental Wellbeing
Many people think that alcohol only has negative effects on their physical health. However, as a certified wellness coach, I know that alcohol also negatively impacts our mental wellbeing.
Alcohol acts as a depressant, so it affects our actions, feelings, and thoughts. In the long-term, it can damage our mental health. Although some people find that consuming alcohol makes them feel less anxious and more confident in social situations, the more they consume, the more their brain becomes affected, and as the amount of alcohol you drink increases, the chances go up that you may become depressed, aggressive or angry.
Alcohol consumption can cause mental health problems that can last for a long time, and some of those can be extremely serious. Excess alcohol may result in anxiety, stress, memory loss, and even self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
A Health Coach In London Can Help
If you’re worried about the effects of alcohol consumption on your physical and mental health, you should seek advice from a wellness life coach. I can work with you to achieve a healthier lifestyle and to find options other than alcohol to handle stress and other issues in your life.
