Should you go ‘Dry in January’?
Then all of a sudden the festivities are over and its the start of a new year!
All of the advertising suddenly changes from indulgent foods and festive celebrations to gym memberships, diets and sunny holidays. A key aspect of this ‘new year – new you’ marketing is the concept of Dry January – where for a whole month those who enjoy alcohol are tasked with going sober.
On the whole, as a psychologist, I rarely support fad/drastic behaviour changes as a way to improve wellbeing but – I though this year I will have a look at the evidence around reducing alcohol and maybe use Dry January as a catalyst for more long term health improvement.
1. Break the addictive cycle.
If you’ve got into the habit of drinking too much or too often, or both, to a level you’re concerned about, going dry in January might help you change your drinking habits for the better. You might even decide to give up totally.
2. Avoid the depressive effects of alcohol.
It may feel like you’re on a high when you’ve had a glass or two of Prosecco, and for a while you are. Alcohol can help loosen you up. But regular drinking can actually create symptoms similar to depression. It Increases cortisol (the stress hormone), lowers serotonin levels – the brain chemical that regulates mood and increases feelings of anxiety
3. Sleep better
You may fall asleep quickly after a few drinks, but the quality of that sleep is compromised by the efforts your body is still making to process the alcohol you’ve consumed. The result: a bad night’s sleep and that groggy morning feeling.
According to Alcohol Change UK, 70% of people who do Dry January sleep better.
4. Improve your relationships.
- More focused conversations.
- Fewer alcohol-fuelled arguments.
- More involvement with your children.
- Fewer rash and upsetting choices.
- More attending to the needs of your loved ones.
- Less falling asleep early.
- More time for alcohol-free activities.
- More supporting each other to cut down.
There are so many alcohol free versions of your favourite tipple now available – so there is no need to cut down on those social trips the pub or other venues that serve alcohol.
5. Save money
When you’re spending £4 on a pint and £10 for a decent bottle of wine, it’s easy to get through some serious money on a night out drinking. Sipping on a soft drink could help you buy that something you’ve been saving for, or just reduce your weekly outgoings.
6. Get more stuff done. Feel great!
You can start setting goals and getting things done without the post alcohol grogginess. This is great for improved mood and mental health.
It has also been demonstrated that drinking les, in a more controlled way, could have a long term positive impact on our relationship with alcohol. Dry January could lead to a healthier ‘damp’ rest of the year!
If you think it’s not going to be that easy, you could sign up to Dry January https://dryjanuary.alcoholchange.org.uk/, download their App and get access to their tools and resources.