At the beginning of each new year, people all over the world observe voluntary one-month abstinence from alcohol or other habits. For some of them, it will later turn into permanent abstinence. On Monday, February 9, the Marquis presenter Zlatica Švajdová Puškárová surprisingly spoke about this topic on social networks. The television star and mother of two is also among the abstainers.
She posted about her setup via Instagram. “I have NOT drank alcohol for 16 years. None. And I am a sociable person who loves and enjoys LIFE to the fullest. I never overdid it, but naturally I stopped when I got pregnant with Leo, I breastfed for a long time, traveled a lot and worked, so I always had to be “ready to go”, explained the well-known Slovak woman.
According to experts, voluntary abstinence can be a way for a person to realize what role does alcohol play in his daily life and what its temporary limitation can bring. Puskárová also confirms this.
“I never needed a “boost” to be in a good mood, and in addition to children and work, I always had to function at full capacity. Small children never care how their parents had fun, but usually very early in the morning they want to have it to themselves. I like to leave under any circumstances and at any time in my own car. I got so used to not “diluting” my life with alcohol that I later took “not drinking” as a “joke”. In addition, my second son was born, so everything was in balance,” she emphasized.
Alcohol also has a significant effect on the quality of rest. Although it can make it easier to fall asleep quickly, it disrupts the sleep phases responsible for its regenerative function. The result is sleep that may appear to be sufficient in terms of length, but is actually of lower quality and more interrupted. Good sleep also affects a person’s appearance. It is therefore not surprising that the Slovak presenter gets curious questions about her appearance.
“I often get questions about what “skincare” I use, it’s certainly not just that, but I’ve had great skin for years, I’ve never taken any medication and so far I have no problem even with various “pauses”. I also support dry February in this way, because I think it’s more SEXI without alcohol. It’s US, not someone else,” added Zlatica Puškárová. You can find a PHOTO of her post in the gallery.
The Czech-Slovak awareness campaign Dry February wants to strengthen awareness of the conscious relationship with alcohol this year as well and to open a wider social discussion about prevention, lifestyle, physical health and mental well-being. The campaign focuses on four values that participants most often perceive as the main benefits of the challenge – time, love, sleep and money. The basic message is that limiting alcohol can bring more energy and time, better quality sleep, better relationships and financial savings.
The positive effects of abstinence are also confirmed by experts. “Alcohol consumption causes, among other things, changes in affectivity that do not occur after it is stopped, and the individual feels calmer and more balanced,” Boris Bodnár, director of the Center for Drug Addiction Treatment in Košice, said for TASR. At the same time, he emphasized that social life without alcohol does not have to mean restriction. “Even without alcohol, fun and meeting people can be spontaneous and interesting,” he reminded.
