The Hidden Health Benefits of Going Alcohol-Free for Dry January
If your New Year’s Resolution is to reduce or stop drinking alcohol, Dry January is a great place to start, especially since you won’t be the only one giving up alcohol for the month. However, you may be wondering: are there any health benefits to substituting alcoholic beverages for alcoholic beverages? non-alcoholic drinks for just one month? We have good news: the answer is yes, and here are the following benefits you can enjoy from a wellness perspective.
Note: Although Dry January can help you temporarily reduce your drinking and improve your health, if you need help reducing your drinking or think you may have an alcohol addiction, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for additional resources.
Benefits of Dry January
It’s absolutely no secret that alcohol can have harmful effects on your body. Alcohol can affect almost all of your organs, from the brain to the heart and of course the liver. Alcohol consumption is linked to certain cancers, weakened immunity, digestive problems, and more.
This story is part of 12 days of advicehelping you get the most out of your technology, your home and your health this holiday season.
Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can improve your health in many ways, but it may seem silly to give up alcohol for a month, because what can 31 days do? However, research suggests that taking short alcohol-free breaks can do wonders for your health.
If you try Dry January, you might experience:
- Improved sleep
- More alertness and reduced daytime fatigue
- Less headache
- Better concentration and productivity
- Improved physical performance
- More good mood and fewer mood swings
- Weight loss
- A stronger immune system
- Increase hydration
People often participate in Dry January for health-related reasons.
Why do people do Dry January?
People choose to do 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 exercise performance.
- You want to reevaluate 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’s like to be sober for a month.
How to make a dry January
In theory, Dry January seems simple: just stop drinking alcohol, right? However, even people who reserve alcohol for special occasions may struggle to go a full month without alcohol.
Try these tips to so that Dry January goes smoothly:
- Commit to a friend (or a few) for the month. You can all help hold each other accountable.
- Let your friends and family know you’re participating in Dry January ahead of time and keep reinforcing it so they know not to offer you drinks — because sometimes saying “no” is the hardest part.
- Stock up on non-alcoholic beverages (listed below) to enjoy in place of your favorite alcoholic beverages.
- Choose different activities to fill the time you would normally spend drinking. For example, instead of watching TV and drinking wine, try playing a board game, reading a book, solving a puzzle, calling a loved one, or drawing a picture. Learning a new skill can help you stay busy.
- Invite your friends for alcohol-free outings, like hikes, craft sessions, movies, or dinners.
Mocktails around cocktails.
Precautions for a dry January
If you think you have an alcohol addiction, Dry January may not be the best solution for you. While it’s admirable to recognize dangerous drinking habits and try to curb them, people with addictions or addictions may experience withdrawal symptoms when they suddenly stop drinking alcohol and go cold turkey.
If you need help with your drinking habits, you should seek out addiction specialists in your area, find an Alcoholics Anonymous group near you, talk to your doctor, or call a helpline.
