Dry January

Many of us have heard of the popular health challenge, “Dry January”. What started as a personal journey for Emily Robinson has now driven millions of “sober-curious” people to abstain from alcohol for 31 days at the beginning of each year. Within 11 years, the Alcohol Change UK, a non-profit focused on reducing harm from alcohol, has transformed this local initiative in to a world wide campaign, resulting in millions of people reflecting on their relationship with alcohol. As Dry January has become more and more popular, it makes sense to wonder how going alcohol-free can impact our lives and overall health. Fortunately, research can tell us exactly what those benefits look like. In fact, in 2019 we saw that…

• 90% of people who participated in Dry January saved money

• 71% experienced better sleep 

• 58% lost weight 

• 54% experienced improvement with their skin 

• 56% experienced more energy

These are just a few of the short term benefits. Dry January can also lead to lasting behavior change as most participants report either continuing the challenge, or reducing their use of alcohol altogether. So, how can we set ourselves up to have a successful Dry January? If you’re considering doing Dry January this year, check out the following tips!

• Set your intentions. Make note of the patterns and changes that you experience throughout the challenge.

• Have an accountability partner. Tell your friends and family about your goals and intentions, and share with them how they can support you. 

• Have alternatives. Set yourself up for success by exploring non-alcoholic drinks or mocktails, and have alternative options available at social gatherings.

• Create a plan. If you’ve enjoyed taking part in Dry January, having a plan in place for when the month ends can help you keep it going throughout the year.