8 unexpected ways to tell you’re drinking too much this silly season

Waking up with a hangover is one sure-fire way to know you’ve had too much to drink last night. But even if you are waking up feeling fine, you could still be overindulging on alcohol.

Here are 8 surprising ways your body may be trying to warn you that enough is enough.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Indulging in a drink or two during the festive season is pretty common. It’s Christmas; the kids are off school; relatives are visiting;  the reasons to have a drink never seem to end.

But they really need to, especially if you are overindulging.

Psychologist and public health expert, Dr Bosco Rowland, knows that the festive season is the prime time to drink but warns, “when [alcohol is] consumed at high levels over long periods it can undermine physical health and cause cancers and other disease. Healthy men and women are advised not to drink more than two standard drinks on any one day.”

Symptoms You’re Overdoing It

In addition to monitoring your consumption, your body can also give you a clear indication that you’re overindulging. Alcohol, after all, is a toxin and can have damaging effects to your organs and other parts of your body. It can also contribute to weight gain. 

Here are a few things to watch out for:

Physical Signs

Dry eyes: As alcohol dries you out, dry eyes are a clear indication that you may be drinking too much.

The need to wee at night: Unless you’re over the age of 65, pregnant or just drank your weight in water, you really shouldn’t need to get up to pee during the night. Alcohol, however, can act as a diuretic, meaning you will need to wee more often.

Broken sleep: While you may feel like you pretty much pass out the moment your head hits the pillow, alcohol stops Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, which is the most active part of sleep and can leave you feeling groggy the next day.

Yellow eyes: A yellow tinge around the eyes can indicate jaundice, a condition which impacts the liver.

Sore stomach: Having a hangover can leave your stomach feeling queasy but even if you are feeling fine and able to eat, you may have trouble digesting foods after too much alcohol.

Emotional Signs

Craving alcohol when thirsty:  Craving a drink, especially in the afternoon, can be a sign that your body is becoming dependant on it.

Using alcohol to self-medicate: Feeling sad, stressed or anxious? Drinking may seem to ease the symptoms and relax you but alcohol is actually a depressant and can make things worse.

The ability to drink… A LOT: This suggests your body has learned to work harder to break down alcohol quicker. Great, right? Not so much. It can lead to long term problems like liver disease.

Reducing Your Alcohol Intake

For both men and women, drinking more than four standard drinks on a single occasion can increase the risk of alcohol-related injury including physical injury, or road accidents. Drinking more than the standard recommended limit can also increase your risk of long-term alcohol-related disease (such as cancer).

“You can try mixing or diluting drinks with something non-alcoholic, such as a white wine spritzer or a shandy,” Dr. Rowland suggests.

Dr. Rowland also recommends having one or two alcohol free days each week.

We have plenty of delicious drinks and smoothie recipes on the site that provide a refreshing and healthy alternative to an afternoon cocktail.

If you are throwing a party or event, plan some other activities for your guests that will keep everyone active rather than sitting around reaching for their drinks.

The festive season is all about letting loose and having a bit of fun. But moderation, especially when it comes to your alcohol consumption, is critical.

Stay on track this festive season

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