Could the amount you drink be affecting your health?
Many of us like to unwind with a quick beer or a glass of wine in the evening but if you’re not careful the occasional glass in the evening can turn into two or three glasses most days. It’s Alcohol Awareness Week from 14-20 November – so why not make time to check how much you’re drinking and if this could be affecting your health?
Men and women shouldn’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week, which is the same as about six pints of average strength beer a week or six 175ml glasses of wine. If you’re regularly drinking more than this you could be damaging your health.
Why cut down?
Once you start drinking a little less, you’ll probably start noticing the benefits quite quickly. But if you’re struggling for motivation here are three of the best reasons to cut back on alcohol:
- Get healthy – drinking too much can increase your risk of developing health issues such as high blood pressure, liver and heart disease and some types of cancer.
- Save money – cutting back will have a positive impact on your wallet as the cost of drinking alcohol can quickly add up. Think how much you could save for things like a holiday, new clothes or a meal out if you spent less on alcohol.
- More energy – alcohol can stop you from sleeping deeply, so drinking less should help you feel more rested, make you livelier and give you better concentration.
The best way to get started is to find out how much you’re drinking, so why don’t you take the Don’t Bottle It Up alcohol test? It’s a quick, easy way to check whether you’re putting your health in danger as a result of your drinking. You’ll be able to access personalised online advice and support, and also find out where you can get local face-to-face help. Visit the Healthy Surrey website to take the test and find out more about cutting down.