Did you know that around 200,000 people come to work with a hangover every day and around 17 million working days are lost to alcohol related sickness every year?
With the festive season approaching most people’s alcohol drinking habits will change or increase. As part of Alcohol Awareness Week this week Powys Teaching Health Board is raising awareness of the impact alcohol can have on your health, and inviting workplaces in Powys to take part in the workplace challenge.
Dr Stuart Bourne, deputy director of public health for Powys Teaching Health Board, said: “It’s a lot easier than people think to develop a habit of using alcohol as a means of reducing stress or as a reward after a day’s work. One glass can sometimes turn into two or three and if that happens regularly you could be putting your health at risk. Participating in the workplace challenge gives employees a chance to think about their drinking habits and stay alcohol free for a week”
No matter how much you drink, it is important to keep an eye on your alcohol consumption and to aim to have at least two alcohol free days a week. Guidelines state that men should drink no more than 3-4 units a day and women no more than 2-3 units a day. Therefore, if you choose to drink, it is important to stick within these guidelines.
If you would like to participate in the workplace challenge, you can find out more and download your challenge sheet by visiting Powys Teaching Health Board website; http://www.powysthb.wales.nhs.uk/alcohol
In addition, Public Health Wales has released the smart phone app ‘One Drink One Click’ to help people monitor their alcohol consumption and this is available to download free from the App Store.
For further information visit about reducing your alcohol consumption please visit Change 4 Life www.nhs.uk/change4life/Pages/cutting-down-alcohol