Dry January expert reveals how to give up drinking amid pandemic

Alcohol sales skyrocketed in 2020, as Americans, Brits, Australians and many more were locked out of time to load up (or at least gain the edge).

But the coronavirus pandemic is not yet over – and our bodies can only take too much extra wine and tequila.

Enter dry January, which may sound like a better idea than ever in 2021 – but could also seem like a much harder engagement.

For those determined to give it a try, FEMAIL spoke to Hilary Sheinbaum, author of “ The Dry Challenge: How To Lose Alcohol For Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol Free Month, ” who shared her top tips for take a break from alcohol even being stuck at home all day, every day.

“ There are so many benefits to having a dry January – or any other dry month – including better sleep, better digestion, increased energy, clearer skin, and an overall sense of accomplishment, ” he said. said Sheinbaum, whose book debuted on December 29.

“You also save a ton of money when you don’t buy expensive cocktails and bottles of liquor and wine,” she added.

Americans have certainly spent a lot of alcohol in the past year, with online sales growing like never before. In fact, a report by market research firm IWSR found that online alcohol sales in the United States would total around $ 5.6 billion in 2020, up 80% year-on-year. former.

Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the UK have also seen an increase in alcohol e-commerce.

“ More than in previous years, 2020 has seen so many lows and brought a lot of stress and uncertainty. A lot of people drink more at home and at different times of the day, ”Sheinbaum said.

“After a crazy year, we could all enjoy a fresh start: feeling well rested, energized and having a few extra dollars in the bank.

In her book – which includes a forward from Laguna Beach star Lo Bosworth – Sheinbaum shares the benefits of giving up alcohol, mocktail recipes, and even activities that don’t include drinking.

Here, she gives her best advice on how to abstain as the world remains in the grip of a pandemic.

Remember: out of sight, out of mind

Anyone who’s ever dieted knows that having tasty snacks in plain sight is a recipe for failure, and so are the contents of your liquor cabinet.

“ When working from home, every time you walk past your bar cart or open the fridge, you probably spot bottles of wine, liquor or beer, ” Sheinbaum explained.

If your goal is to quit alcohol altogether, pour it down the drain or give it to friends.

If you’re only giving it up for the month, find a place to hide your bottles and cans. It doesn’t matter if you know it’s still there; as long as you don’t have to see it every day, you are less likely to drink it.

“ You can just store your liquor out of sight at home or give it to a friend to keep for 31 days, ” she said.

Gather your Sober Month Support Team

Misery loves company.

“Even if you don’t see your friends in person during your quarantine, you can suggest a group activity: don’t drink together,” suggests Sheinbaum. “Having other people with a common goal is not only motivating, but it will hold all parties to account.”

It can also be heartwarming to empathize with friends about how much you’d love a glass of pinot grigio – and how much you miss on Saturday nights at your favorite bar.

To this end, find activities that are fun but don’t involve drinks.

“If you are taking refuge with friends, family or a partner, you can imagine activities to do together in person that do not involve alcohol,” Sheinbaum said.

Find something to look forward to

One of the reasons so many of us have turned to drinking alcohol in our forties is … what else is there to do?

But instead of drinking out of boredom, now is the time to think outside the box to find ways to stay busy and be entertained.

“The pandemic doesn’t allow galas or festivals, but you can still get creative with fun ways to spend your time,” Sheinbaum said.

“ Beyond streaming platforms for binging movies, you can embrace a new workout routine at home, learn to cook or develop recipes (without cooking wine), redecorate your home, or revamp your closet. .

And if you’ve already done all of that in quarantine, search online for live virtual events to stay up to date with what’s happening in your state, city, and even your own neighborhood.

Find another drink that seems special to you

It’s not just the buzz you give up when you hit pause on alcohol – it’s the taste of your favorite drinks, too.

Sheinbaum suggests replacing your drink after work (or during work) with a non-alcoholic drink that stays tasty.

“If you’re a beer drinker, there are some non-alcoholic brews out there including IPAs, stouts and more,” she said.

“If you’re feeling creative or looking for a classic cocktail, you can mix your own with different varieties of non-alcoholic spirits and other non-ABV ingredients,” she added.

Her book includes recipes for alcoholic cocktails, and Pinterest is full of tasty ideas.

Motivate yourself with a reward

“You are sure to reap mental and physical benefits from taking alcohol out for 31 days, but having something to look forward to in the end can also be motivating,” Sheinbaum said.

“ Because you’ll be saving money throughout the month, you can collect your hard-earned cash and promise to buy yourself something you’ve been watching throughout the month (or maybe even before). ”

On January 1, promise yourself something that “looks like a treat” you’ll get on February 1 – but try not to turn it into alcohol.

“When your dry month is over, buy it or book it and celebrate!