Many people try to keep their drinking under control, whether it means having a few alcohol-free days each week or opting for non-alcoholic beverages in between drinks on a night out.
But at what point should you start wondering if your casual drinking might actually be too much?
Sometimes, after a heavy night of drinking, we wake up regretting our decisions, though often that’s just the headache talking. However, there are ways our body tries to signal that our relationship with alcohol isn’t healthy.
According to the alcohol reduction app Reframe, listening to your body is crucial. They shared in a recent Instagram post: “Our bodies are always trying to communicate with us, but sometimes we fail to listen. This is often the case when it comes to our alcohol consumption. We may be reluctant to acknowledge that our discomfort could be linked to our drinking habits.”
Changing Skin
One of the first signs is related to your skin. Alcohol can dehydrate and inflame your skin, leading to a dull appearance and reduced elasticity. Puffy or swollen eyes, intensified wrinkles, and dark circles are common effects. Alcohol can also exacerbate skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis.
Heartburn
Heartburn, or acid reflux, occurs when stomach acid travels back up the esophagus toward the throat, creating an unpleasant burning sensation. Alcohol increases stomach acid, which can bring on heartburn. Even small amounts can irritate your stomach lining, causing bloating, burping, hiccuping, and upper stomach pain.
Low Energy
Feeling sluggish, irritable, and unable to focus well after a night of drinking is common. While people might fall asleep faster after drinking, their sleep is usually fragmented, and they tend to wake up earlier. This contributes to fatigue and reduced productivity.
Weight Gain
Excessive drinking can prevent your body from efficiently burning carbs and fats, tipping the scales. Many alcoholic drinks are high in calories, and a night of heavy drinking can often lead to ‘late-night munchies,’ increasing your calorie intake. Alcohol can stimulate your appetite, leading to those midnight snacks we all know too well.
Tingling or Numbness
Long-term heavy drinking can lead to alcoholic neuropathy, resulting in tingling and numbness in the feet, legs, or hands. This condition can impact both movement and sensation, with symptoms ranging from slight discomfort to major disability.
Please drink responsibly. If you have concerns about your drinking and want to discuss them confidentially, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, available 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.
