Health

Moderating alcohol intake can help with weight loss, help you sleep better, give you healthier skin and more energy. Many people this month are laying off the hard stuff for Dry July, so this month Marissa Kelaher looks at the effects of alcohol, safe levels to drink, and when to seek help.

Alcohol consumption can be difficult to discuss, as drinking is fairly ingrained in our culture with even heavy use being seen as ‘normal’. It is also a very popular way to celebrate and socialise. Yet there is a dark side of alcohol that doesn’t always get addressed. In Western cultures 80% of adults drink alcohol regularly, and 25% consume it at harmful levels. Alcohol is linked with over 200 health conditions and is a factor in 20% of car accidents, 33% of domestic violence cases and 40% of crime. It’s also directly responsible for 800 deaths per year in New Zealand. While many people use alcohol to relax, it’s also easy to drink too much, or to use it to mask mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or trauma. Heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of many cancers, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes, and dementia. It also reduces immunity, damages our digestive organs, and increases the risk of mental health conditions. Some health risks occur even with low intake - there is actually no known safe level to drink. Like with everything, in small amounts, occasionally as a part of celebrations and socialising, it’s probably OK - but from a health perspective, the less you drink the better.

Alcohol is a surprisingly common cause of weight gain - just one standard drink of wine (100ml) per day can cause up to 7kg of weight gain in a year. Women often also become much more sensitive to alcohol around menopause, so reducing or avoiding it at this time can be helpful. If you do drink, try to stick to recommended amounts - seven standard drinks per week for women and 14 for men, with at least two alcohol-free days each week. If you find it hard to cut back, this can be a good time look at what’s really driving your drinking - do you actually enjoy it, or is it to cover up emotions or cope with boredom, sadness or stress? And are there other healthier habits you could try instead, such as exercise, a new hobby, relaxation techniques, or connecting with others? Exploring this can be the first step to addressing habits, and starting on the road to change. If you are concerned about your drinking, please talk to your GP, as there are lots of options to help. There is a wonderful Japanese proverb that success is falling down seven times and getting up eight - change can be hard, but being honest with yourself and taking those first steps is the best way to start.

20 Tahunanui Drive. Wed-Sun, 10am-4pm Mon & Tues by appointment. 027 548 5003 proteanart.co.nz

15B Ajax Avenue Mon - Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am - 12.30pm 027 847 0620

billburkeartist.com

Gallery open 8:30am – 4:30pm weekdays, 8:30am – 3pm Saturdays 03 548 2170

redartgallery.com

View paintings at Wall to Wall Gallery, Bridge St. 03 542 4457

nicolareif.com

The Artist Goldsmith Central Nelson. By appointment, come and play! 021 817 209

theartistgoldsmith.com

Prints available to purchase online 03 538 0223

katsndogsgalore.nz

Songs and Fables, an exhibition of limited-edition prints, on now at Nelson City Framers.

emmamoncrieff.com

1 Cadillac Way, Annesbrook Open 7 days, 10am-4pm 03 547 4570

nelsonclassiccarmuseum.nz

027 546 9499 1/47A Washington Rd. Open Wednesdays 12-5pm, and by appointment

cathyjones4art.weebly.com

For updated information visit itson.co.nz

The ever-popular Te Papa exhibition ‘Colossal Squid: Freaky Features! Te Ngū Tipua: Ngā Wāhanga Weriweri!’ has made its way to the Nelson Museum. Featuring interactive games and displays, it’s fun for all ages. Developed and toured by Te Papa. Free to Nelson Tasman locals.

Nelson Provincial Museum

Nelson Youth Theatre Company presents a fantastic mixed up fairy tale musical for the whole family! ‘Be careful what you wish for’ is the ongoing theme in this Broadway family favourite musical. Tickets from Theatre Royal.

‘MELTDOWN: Visualising Climate Change’ is a narrative on the importance of the world’s glaciers, the impact of climate change and their fate, through the prism of art, photography, and film. Free to Nelson Tasman locals.

Nelson Provincial Museum

The Feelers announce their Communicate 21st Anniversary NZ tour. Many of the Feeler’s tracks achieved huge radio rotation and single charting, such as Communicate, As Good As It Gets, Fishing for Lisa, Astronaut and Anniversary.

Nelson Youth Theatre Company presents this timeless musical of transformation and tolerance. Featuring some of the most popular songs ever written. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved the curse will end, but time is running out. Tickets from Theatre Royal.

Theatre Royal Theatre Royal

A celebration of scale through art. See NZ artists such as Tim Jones, Paul Olson, Glen Colechin, Tut Blumental and many more. Artworks include paintings and sculptures for your home and garden. www.purpose.gallery

Rattle n Hum Purpose Gallery

Join NZ String Quartet for three thoughtfully-curated programmes - meditating on life, loss and rebirth as Aotearoa marks the firstever official public holiday dedicated to Matariki, Māori new year.

NCMA, 48 Nile St, Nelson