Social drinking is often associated with relaxation and enjoyment, however it’s important to remember that alcohol can impact our mental health.
- Alcohol consumption can cause mood fluctuations.
Sipping on a cold beer or chilled glass of wine is associated with relaxing and having a good time. But alcohol is also a depressant, meaning it can affect your brain, thoughts and behaviours making you feel calm, relaxed and more confident. Once the effects of the alcohol wear off, the chemical changes in your brain can lead to more negative feelings, such as anger, depression and frustration.
- Alcohol consumption can cause irregular sleep patterns.
Since alcohol is a diuretic, it can cause more frequent urination, waking you during the middle of the night and lowering your sleep quality. Alcohol also can disrupt REM sleep, which is the most important part of your sleep cycle for emotional processing, forming long-term memories and maintaining overall brain health.
- Alcohol can worsen pre-existing mental health conditions.
Research has proven that alcohol intake and the development of mental health disorders are closely linked. Heavy drinking is associated with conditions like depression and anxiety; it can worsen symptoms or interfere with treatments like antidepressants.
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