Christmas, the season of hot mulled drinks, warming liqueur coffees and fancy liqueurs that only come out once a year. It is so important to drink responsibly at all times of the year, but with so many parties and gatherings at Christmas, it can be easier to get carried away. The experts at Jelf shares some surprising statistics and all-important advice on knowing your limits ahead of the festive season to make sure we can all have fun and stay safe this Christmas.
Did you know that UK employees take 17 million sick days a year due to alcohol-related illness, costing employers an estimated £1.7bn1?
The NHS recommends:
- men and women do not drink more than 14 units of alcohol in a week;
- they should spread these units across several days;
- you should take some days off alcohol altogether each week;
- no amount of alcohol is safe to drink; and
- pregnant women should not drink at all
But how many of us really know what a unit of alcohol is? With so many different drinks and glass sizes on offer, it’s easy to get confused. This handy guide shows you how many units there are in these common drinks and may help you to keep an eye on how much you drink, especially during the festive season:
Image from Alcohol Health Network 2017. Alcohol Health Network provides Consultancy, Line Manager Alcohol Training and Alcohol Health Stalls that raise alcohol awareness in the workplace and improve employee health.
Taking a break from alcohol, even for a bit, can offer big benefits to your well-being:
- You’ll probably find you have more energy
- You may feel more alert and find that you are able to concentrate better
- You may even look healthier, feel happier and lose weight
- You’ll reduce the risk of more serious health problems, such as strokes, heart and liver disease and damage to your nervous system
Make sure you stick to your limits this festive season. Visit Jelf.com for the latest news and views from their in-house experts. If you have additional alcohol-related questions, please visit Drinkaware.
1 Institute of Alcohol Studies Factsheet (2009) Alcohol and the Workplace Source: AXA PPP Healthcare
https://gateway.axappphealthcare.co.uk/jelfstaff/taxonomy/1977/think-you-know-your-units
