44 Expat Living
Maintaining Moderation with Alcohol By Katy Clements
COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
L
iving abroad, though exciting, can be incredibly stressful. Not only are we separated from the people and places that we are familiar with, but we also become more aware of our own thoughts as we begin to learn how to adapt to our new surroundings. In times of high stress or deep depression, it can become tempting to numb our feelings with alcohol regularly. Having drinks with friends can be a way to unwind and destress after a busy workday. However, for people that become addicted to the numbing sensation that alcohol gives, becoming dependent on it can be dangerous to your health, career, and relationships. People struggling with these issues should not be shamed or belittled but understood and listened to so that friends and family can find a root cause. As an expat apart from my family and comforts, I began to think that I was a more entertaining person when I drank. However, as I grew older, married, and decided to remain in Korea long term, my loved ones saw that I needed to confront my issues, both past and present.
To offset these results, it would be best for a person to try to quit drinking at least four hours before bedtime. Another aspect affected by alcohol is its effect on our digestive system. Alcohol is a depressant, and it slows are body’s ability to burn fat and process nutrients until the alcohol is out of our system. This is bad news to people who are trying to control weight gain or loss. If you are too nauseated to eat or hold in food, you will not be able to store the vitamins necessary to thrive, thus leading to dangerous weight loss. In juxtaposition, if you are trying to lose weight, your body will behave sluggishly. To offset these results, it is best to drink in moderation and during meals because the food will help slow the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. A third thing that alcohol will affect is your mood. Alcohol is a depressant, and if you are already stressed and depressed, then your mood will get much worse.
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The first thing that alcohol begins to effect is our quality of sleep. Sleep is important so that we can function in our jobs. Without a proper REM (rapid eye movement) cycle, our bodies are unable to digest normally, or make the proper repairs. A lack of sleep can contribute
to the inability to concentrate and make decisions. As a teacher, these two things are the most crucial part of my job, and the inability to use them properly could be detrimental. Even though alcohol acts as a sedative and can cause you to sleep, your body is not getting the proper type of sleep and thus cannot properly digest the alcohol that has entered your blood stream.
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