Could you give up drinking for one month? Lose the booze to help Australian kids?
That's what Ocsober is all about – giving up alcohol in October to help Life Education teach 700,000 Australian children to steer clear of drug and alcohol abuse.
Remember that loveable giraffe Healthy Harold? Well, for 30 years he's been the Life Education mascot who empowers and educates school kids to adopt a healthy lifestyle. And raising money during Ocsober means he can keep teaching our kids positive lessons for many more years to come.
Why participate in Ocsober?
Did you know that every 24 minutes, an Australian dies from drug use? And that more than 157,000 people were hospitalised in 2010 from excessive drinking?
These are just some of the alarming statistics surrounding alcohol and drug use in our country. Avoiding becoming a statistic is a pretty rocking reason to quit drinking in October.
And here are 4 more reasons to give it a go:
1. Get your health back on track
Alcohol makes us feel good in the moment, but long term it can be damaging to our health and wellbeing. We're not saying you should ditch booze forever, but Ocsober gives your body a break, and is a great excuse to kickstart a new approach to your health.
2. Spend less, save more
Alcohol is expensive. So if you're on a budget, or need a little extra cash for a holiday or big-ticket item, cutting back on booze can inch you closer to your financial goals. The average Aussie household spends over $30 on alcohol each week, so that's already $120 or more you can start saving this month.
3. Raise money for a great cause
It's true that education is a powerful preventer of making poor life choices. And by banning the bottle in October, you can help Healthy Harold and Life Education to continue teaching kids how to eat well, be active, and resist peer pressure. The goal this year is $700,000, so every cent you raise will help.
4. Shake off winter weight
Many of us overindulge over winter. Now that the sun is out (mostly!) it's easier to stick to our health and fitness goals. So if you have a few kilos to lose, or simply want to feel better before summer arrives, Ocsober is a great starting point.
Ready to get involved in Ocsober? Check out the Ocsober website and start fundraising!
Originally published on Oct 12, 2015
