Dry January: How Quitting Alcohol For 31 Days Can Improve Your Health

As the New Year approaches, many will resolve to drink less alcohol or give up completely. If you can’t imagine the idea of ​​going the whole year without your favorite adult drink, consider Dry January instead.

This popular annual tradition involves a short-term commitment to sobriety. Starting January 1, thousands of people will give up alcohol for a full month, and apparently those 31 days dramatically improve your health.

Are you considering temporary tetotalism? Read on for everything you need to know about Dry January, from the benefits of sobriety to best soft drinks.

Note: While dry January can be a fun way to temporarily cut down on your alcohol intake and improve your health, if you need help cutting down on your alcohol intake, or think you are addicted to it. alcohol, visit the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for more information. Resources.

Benefits of dry january

It’s absolutely no secret that alcohol destroys your body. Alcohol interferes with virtually every organ, from your brain to your heart, including your liver, of course. Alcohol consumption has been linked to certain cancers, suppressed immunity, digestive issues, and more.

Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can improve your health in many ways – but it might seem silly to give up alcohol for a month, because what can 31 short days do?

Surprisingly (or not), research suggests that taking short breaks from alcohol can do wonders for your health.

If you try Dry January, you might encounter:

• Improved sleep
• More vigilance and less daytime fatigue
• Less headaches
• Better concentration and productivity
• Improved exercise performance
• More cheerfulness and less mood swings
• Weightloss
• Stronger immune system
• Increased hydration

Why do people have a dry January?

People choose to have a dry January for a variety of reasons. You might consider trying Dry January if:

• You are trying to achieve a health related goal. For example, avoiding alcohol can help you lose weight and improve your physical performance.
• You want to reassess your relationship with alcohol.
• You’ve been drinking more than usual lately and want to reset.
• You are supporting a friend or family member who wants to stop drinking alcohol.
• You just want to see what it feels like to be sober for a month.

How to make a dry January

In theory, Dry January sounds simple: stop drinking alcohol, right? However, even people who reserve alcohol for special occasions may find it difficult to go a full month without alcohol.

Try these tips to make the dry January a good one:

• Sign up for the month with a friend (or a few). You can all help each other hold each other accountable.
• Let friends and family know you’re having a dry January ahead of time and continue to reinforce it so they know not to treat yourself to drinks – because sometimes saying ‘no’ is the part. more difficult.
• Stock up on non-alcoholic drinks (like the ones listed below) to sip in place of your favorite alcoholic drinks.
• Choose different activities to fill the time you would normally spend drinking. For example, instead of watching TV and drinking wine, play a board game, read a book, complete a puzzle, call your mom, or draw a picture. Learning a new skill can help keep you busy.
• Invite your friends on alcohol-free and alcohol-free outings, such as group walks or outdoor phone photography sessions in a pretty location.

Non-alcoholic drinks to taste

For many people, alcohol is more ritualistic, cultural or social than anything else. For my part, I love ending the work week with a glass of wine – it’s not so much the buzz that I like, but the sign that another long week is over and I have a few nights to go. to relax.

In social environments, it is often strange to be the only one not having a drink in your hand. And if you come from a culture where alcohol is a central part of any gathering, the discomfort could intensify. Fortunately, you can still enjoy your rituals and gatherings with the multitude of soft drink available thanks to sober-curious trend.

This list is far from exhaustive, but here are some tasty non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits to try in dry January:

Alcohol-free beer

Alcohol-free wine

Alcohol-free spirits

Dry January Precautions

If you think you are addicted to alcohol, a dry January may not be the best solution for you. While it is admirable to recognize unsafe drinking patterns and try to reduce them, people with dependency or drug addiction can experience withdrawal symptoms by suddenly cutting alcohol and becoming cold. If you think you need help with your drinking habits, you should research addiction specialists in your area, find an Alcoholics Anonymous group near you, talk to your doctor, or call a hotline. assistance.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.