It’s back for another year. Dry January is one of the most popular health awareness campaigns – but also one of the most testing. Each year thousands of people in the UK set out with the good intention of avoiding all alcohol for the first month of the year. Last year, in 2023 it was estimated that 175,000 of us took part.
All the evidence suggests it’s well worth the effort – and that if you make it to the end of January you might even want to keep going. After all, who wouldn’t want to have more energy, improved levels of concentration and mental health and generally feel fitter? And not to mention the financial benefits.
But how do you keep the momentum going and not give up so close to the end? Keep that belief! Here are our tips and some facts about alcohol that might just help to keep you motivated.
Our tips to succeed with Dry January:
Tip #1: Sign up – and gain momentum
Alcohol Change UK who organise Dry January offer a lot of support to get you through. There’s no need to struggle on your own when you can register to get their app and sign up for encouraging coaching emails. If you thought sticking with Dry January was just down to you – you’ll be really pleased with the support available.
Find out more: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january/sign-up-for-dry-january
Tip #2: Tell your friends and family
They’ll support and help hold you to the commitment you’ve made. They’ll understand why you don’t want to join them in a drink and they shouldn’t put temptation in your way either.
For extra tips, read ‘Six top tips for socialising without alcohol’. https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/2023/six-top-tips-for-socialising-without-alcohol
Tip #3: Go on – treat yourself
Treating yourself is always a nice way to reward your focus. Why not spend the money that you would normally spend on alcohol on something else you’ll enjoy. Mark the half way point with a nice meal – and a mocktail.
Tip #4: Get into mocktails
Did we say mocktails? Mocktails are a great way to feel like you are having a drink – but aren’t. They are fun too and really help you feel like you are taking part in social gatherings.
Why not learn to make your own? https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/non-alcoholic-cocktail-recipes
Tip #5: Physical activity and mindfulness
Physical activity is a powerful way to cope and ignore the urges to drink alcohol. It also helps with your boredom and it doesn’t have to mean going to the gym – just a walk can do the power of good to leave you feeling energised. What’s more, mindfulness can help to build your resilience and stop you from slipping up without thinking about it.
For mindfulness tips read ‘Mindfulness for Dry January’. https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/2023/mindfulness-for-dry-january
Tip #6: Overcome slip ups
Be prepared for a slip up, having a drink doesn’t mean it has to be the end of Dry January and you don’t have to beat yourself up because of it. It’s how you bounce back from the situation and figure out how it all happened so then next time you can do something different.
The on-going health benefits of avoiding alcohol
When Dry January is over, why not keep going? If it felt good to not drink for a month why not add on another month before your next drink and reap the health benefits. In general there are many benefits to drinking less – or abstaining completely.
The benefits of drinking less are many such as:
- Having more energy
- Improved sleeping patterns
- Better looking skin
- Lower blood pressure
- Less irritable
- Improved memory
- Lower risk of stroke, cancer and liver disease
- Helping to lose weight
In conclusion
Dry January isn’t just about January. The health benefits during the month are great but it’s the benefits of drinking less (or not at all) that last all year round. That’s how Dry January can make the real difference to your health and happiness.
Other helpful reading
Alcohol awareness – the sobering facts you need to know: https://cordel.247developments.com/blog/alcohol-awareness-the-sobering-facts-you-need-to-know/
