3 Weeks Without Alcohol: The Key to More Energy, Better Sleep and Radiant Skin

What happens to your body when you don’t drink alcohol for three weeks? Abstaining from alcohol for even a short time can have incredible benefits. From better quality sleep to improved complexion to better finances, going three weeks without alcohol can make a big difference in your overall well-being. Here’s a timeline of what happens when you forgo that nightly glass of wine for a few weeks: One week without alcohol You will experience some of the short-term benefits of going without alcohol almost immediately. You can say goodbye to the nausea, headaches and tiredness that come with a hangover if you’ve overindulged the night before. But as your first week without alcohol progresses so do the benefits. Here’s what will happen to your body in the first week: Your body will be more hydrated Alcohol is a diuretic, so it’s actually very common to experience mild dehydration after drinking. “Alcohol will dehydrate you, which intensifies fatigue, exacerbates concentration issues, and can lead to overeating,” says Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and sleep specialist. Of course, hydration is important for your overall health, impacting all sorts of functions, including digestion, body temperature regulation, joint lubrication, waste disposal, skin health, mood, and so much more. Make sure to drink a lot of water when abstaining from alcohol and you will start to feel the benefits of better hydration within the first day. RELATED: Feeling Dehydrated? Here’s How to Hydrate Like a Boss You’ll sleep better Even one drink can disrupt your sleep cycle, which means you might notice that you feel more deeply rested as soon as the first night of your break from alcohol. Many people believe that alcohol can help you relax and fall asleep. This is because alcohol’s slow-down effect on your brain can lead to drowsiness helping you to doze off more easily. But the quality of your sleep will diminish throughout the night as your body processes the alcohol, leading to tossing and turning and a lack of restorative, restful sleep. Researchers have found that alcohol consumption decreases cardiovascular recovery during sleep. The more you drink, the worse the impact on your overnight rejuvenation. Quality shut-eye also comes with positive side effects such as making better food choices, boosting immune function and improving mood. Your mind will be sharper Evidence shows that alcohol has immediate effects on the mind, including effects on emotional processing, cognition and decision making. After just one night without these disruptive effects and a solid night of sleep, you might feel mentally sharper and be more productive. You might feel sick If you are a regular or heavy drinker, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal, which can include anxiety, headache, nausea, insomnia and—in severe cases—hallucinations, delirium and fever. If you experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, it’s best to see your doctor. RELATED: Why I Had to Break Up With Alcohol to Get Healthy Two weeks without alcohol By week two of your abstention journey, the effects of your challenge will really start to be visible. Not only will you likely feel more rested, clear-headed and energized, but there will be notable differences in your appearance as well. Here’s what will happen to your body in the second week without alcohol: You may lose weight One of the reasons that you’ll lose weight after a week without alcohol is a simple case of calorie deficit. Alcohol is pretty high in empty calories. One serving of beer contains about 150 calories, a serving of wine contains about 120 calories and the calories in a cocktail can vary widely based on your mixer. A hard liquor on the rocks contains about 100 calories while a pina colada could have more than 500 calories! But lowering your calorie intake from imbibing less alcohol isn’t the only reason you’ll lose weight. Research shows that as few as two standard alcoholic drinks can slow down your body’s fat-burning process (called fat oxidation) and can lead to your body making new fat in the liver (called lipogenesis). Your liver sees the byproducts of alcohol as toxins, so your body stops processing nutrients from food you’ve eaten so it can take care of the bad guy toxins first. Once these processes are reversed from abstaining from alcohol, you may start to see the number on the scale inching down. Additionally, alcohol increases your appetite. Studies show that alcohol suppresses the hormone that tells your brain to stop eating. Your skin will look better Alcohol consumption impacts how your skin looks in a number of ways, it can increase puffiness under the eyes, diminish the ability to produce collagen (which is responsible for things like skin elasticity and keeping wrinkles at bay) and make it more prone to sunburn. And, the dehydration that comes with drinking alcohol will leave your skin looking and feeling dry and dull. After two weeks without drinking, your skin will start to look more refreshed and possibly even downright radiant. RELATED: 10 Foods That Boost Collagen–Plus Why It Matters Three weeks without alcohol By week three without alcohol, your body will start to heal itself in a much deeper way. You also might notice that your overall vitality has increased. Here’s what will happen to your body in the third week without alcohol: Your body will experience a deeper healing While there are some possible cardiovascular benefits from moderate drinking, alcohol overall is really hard on your body, especially if you drink more than the recommended amount (one drink per day for women, two drinks per day for men). Alcohol places strain on your liver, a crucial organ responsible for keeping your body clear of toxins. Alcohol intake is also associated with gut inflammation, nutrient malabsorption and nervous system problems. After three weeks without alcohol, your body will be on the road to healing these important systems, particularly if you’re a heavy drinker. You might find yourself in a better mood Many people turn to alcohol to feel more relaxed. Alcohol can ease emotions in