Dry January: How to Give Up Your Health for 31 Days Can Improve It

Like the New year approaches, many will decide to drink less alcohol or give it up completely. If you can not understand the thought of going all year without your favorite adult drink, you should consider Dry January instead.

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

Are you considering temporary tea totalism? Keep reading for everything you need to know about Dry January, from the benefits of sobriety to the best non-alcoholic drinks.

Note: Although Dry January can be a fun way to temporarily reduce your alcohol intake and improve your health, you can visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism if you need help drinking less or if you think you ‘ have a dependence on alcohol. resources.

Benefits of dry January

It is absolutely no secret that alcohol destroys your body. Alcohol spills with virtually all of your organs, from your brain to your heart to naturally your liver. Alcohol use is linked to certain cancers, suppressed immunity, digestive problems and more.

Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can improve your health in many ways, but it might sound 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 may experience the following:

• Improved sleep
• More alertness and less fatigue during the day
• Less headaches
• Better focus and productivity
• Improved training performance
• More good moods and less moodiness
• Weight loss
• Stronger immune system
• Increased hydration

Why do people do Dry January?

People choose to do dry January for different reasons. You can consider trying Dry January if:

• You are trying to achieve a health related goal. Avoiding alcohol, for example, can help you lose weight and improve your physical fitness.
• You want to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol.
• You have been drinking more than usual lately and want to recover.
• 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 do Dry January

In theory, Dry January sounds simple: stop just drinking alcohol, right? But even people who book liquor for special occasions can struggle to make it a full month without alcohol.

Try the following tips to make Dry January run smoothly:

• Connect the month with a friend (or a couple). You can all help hold each other accountable.
• Inform your friends and family ahead of time in Dry January, and keep reinforcing it so they know not to offer drinks, because sometimes the hardest part is saying no.
• Top up non-alcoholic drinks (like the drinks below) to drink in place of your favorite drinks.
• Choose different activities to fill the time you would normally drink. For example, instead of watching TV and drinking wine, playing a board game, reading a book, completing a puzzle, calling your mother or drawing a picture. Learning a new skill can help you stay engaged.
• Invite your friends for coronavirus-safe and non-alcoholic outings, such as group walks or outdoor photography sessions in a beautiful place.

Non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy

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

In social settings, it often feels strange to be the only one without a drink in hand. And if you come from a culture where alcohol is an important element during any event, discomfort may worsen. Fortunately, you can still enjoy your rituals and gatherings with the crowd non-alcoholic beverages available thanks to the sober-curious tendency.

This list is far from complete, but here are some delicious non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits to try this dry January:

Non-alcoholic beer

Non-alcoholic wine

Non-alcoholic beverages

Dry January precautions

If you think you have an alcohol dependence, Dry January may not be the best way for you. While it is admirable to recognize and try to curb dangerous drinking habits, those with a dependency or addiction may experience withdrawal symptoms by suddenly cutting out alcohol and becoming turkey. If you think you need help with your drinking habits, you should research addicts in your area, find an anonymous group of Alcoholics near you, talk to your doctor, or call a helpline.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.