arc Counselling Services - Taupo

25/03/2026

Silence doesn't always mean you have nothing to say.
Sometimes it means you know no matter what you say, nothing will change. In those moments, silence is the wisest response.

22/03/2026

15/03/2026

Come see us at the Seniors Expo on Wednesday, 18th March 2026

09/03/2026

You May Lose Weight
Depending on how much and how frequently you drink alcohol, you may see some weight loss when quitting. Alcohol has 7 calories per gram, but that's not counting the additional calories in beer and mixers.

One beer contains about 150 calories, while craft brews can have up to 350 calories. A glass of wine contains around 130 calories, with sweeter dessert wines containing more. Mixed drinks have variable calories, with some including 300 calories or more.

Additionally, quitting alcohol can improve your insulin resistance, leading to better blood sugar control. One study looking at people who regularly drink in moderate to heavy amounts found a 3.5-pound weight loss with a month-long abstinence, along with improved insulin resistance.

26/02/2026

Your Blood Pressure Will Improve
Alcohol increases your systolic blood pressure (the top number of a blood pressure reading), even if you don't have high blood pressure. Guidelines recommend abstinence, or at least decreasing alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for everyone to prevent or treat high blood pressure. It may help decrease blood pressure by about 3-6 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

In addition to improving blood pressure, reducing alcohol intake may also help lower your risk of abnormal heart rhythms and heart disease.5

23/02/2026

1. You'll Likely Sleep Better
While alcohol can make you sleepy and help some people fall asleep faster, it actually worsens overall sleep quality. A good night's sleep includes getting enough rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which the body needs for restoration, memory, learning, and mood. But drinking alcohol before bed can decrease how much REM sleep you get.

Quitting alcohol can improve your sleep quality, making you feel more rested. However, people who drink regularly may experience some difficulty falling asleep and nightmares soon after quitting alcohol, as a symptom of alcohol withdrawal.

19/02/2026

With increasing recognition of the negative health effects of alcohol, many people are drinking less or abstaining from alcohol.

This practice has powerful effects on the body. Even with short-term periods without alcohol, you can notice some changes in your mood, sleep, and blood pressure. And abstaining from alcohol also has long-term benefits for your heart, brain, and liver.