top of page

Dry January - The Benefits & Drawbacks

So you've decided to take a month off the booze? Well done! What are the health benefits you might feel? And will you suffer any ill-effects?

Article by Amanda Foster

TNMI Certified Alcohol Freedom Coach

IMG_5454_edited.jpg

Why do we love a Dry January challenge?

Dry January began in 2012, started by a charity called Alcohol Change UK. The goal back then was to "ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline and save some serious money by giving up alcohol for 31 days." It has risen in popularity ever since, and now it is not just we Brits who are ditching the hooch for a month to raise money - it is growing world over, especially in the United States, and many people take the challenge for Cancer charities, raising money in the name of a lost loved one. 

​

But its roots may go back even further. In 1942 the Finnish Government encourages their citizens to take a break from alcohol with "Raitis Januar", or "Sober January", in an attempt to save resources. 

​

No matter where it originated from, the fact it coincides with New Year resolutions have now made it one of the most popular booze breaks across the globe, with millions more people participating in January than in "Sober October" or the aptly rhyming "Dry July".

The benefits, according to Alcohol Change UK

Save money!

What better reason to try Dry January than saving cash? Over 86% of people reported saving heaps of cash. I can report the same. My bank is nowhere near as poorly as it used to be. 

Feel healthier

65% of people reported feeling healthier in general, now that their bodies are not having to continually get rid of poison from their system. 

Sleep better

My absolutely favourite benefit - the sleep! 70% of people reported better, sounder sleep. I actively look forward to heading to Bedfordshire now!

Thinking of taking a break from alcohol?

Do it the easy way! Download your FREE eBook - Seven Simple Tactics to Control Alcohol, packed full of advice on making that month fly by!

The magical results of going dry for a month

If you do the full month of Dry January, the results you will see are pretty magical!

​

Firstly, you will usually see your blood pressure return to normal, especially if you do not smoke, and you may lose weight. In fact, even if you do not lose weight, very often you will lose many inches! Dr Mehta co-authored a paper on the benefits of periods of abstinence such as Dry January. He said: "Our study saw a weight loss of around 2kg, a decrease in blood pressure of around 5%, and improvement in diabetes risk of almost 30%. We also noted large decreases in blood growth factors that are linked to certain cancers." This is in a month!

​

In many cases, you could also find you are able to more easily moderate your drinking after your break, and find you simply do not wish to drink it as much anymore. This is great news for your ongoing health and wellbeing. If however you find yourself drinking more when you return to drinking, I would recommend taking up one of my coaching plans to shift your mindset and get it back under control again. 

​

You will also see a huge shift right across your body, including improvements in your teeth and gums, hair, fingernails, skin and general wellbeing. Your mental health improves too, and if you are an anxiety sufferer you may even find it cures you completely! Those niggly aches and pains you blamed on other things will also dissipate. Menopause or peri-menopause symptoms ease considerably.

 

Honestly, if they could invent a drug that did this it would sell for billions! I would go as far as to say a month off for some people is their last month drinking, as they become aware of the issues alcohol was previously causing them. Great news!

​

​

Will it be boring being alcohol free for a month?

Not a chance! There are so many things you can do with your time being off the sauce - things you never got "time to do" previously.

 

Why not double up the challenge - tidy a room every day, or take a short exercise class such as Yoga, or Tai Chi, or visit the gym? Just imagine all the improvements in your life by the end of the month! And how chuffed you will feel about your progress. 

​

Doesn't sound fun enough? Well, then increase the fun factor by taking ups. pottery or woodworking class! Or still life drawing. Read all those books you have been meaning to read on your kindle (and remember them!) or take a month of free unlimited reading on Kindle, Kobo, or other book subscriptions and immerse yourself in free books! I highly recommend reading lots of 'Quit-Lit' to motivate you. Or simply do something for you every day, even if it's buying yourself a coffee in a lovely coffee shop, or catch up with friends. The choices are endless! Just make sure to treat yourself regularly for a job well done. 

Is there anybody who should NOT partake in Dry January?

Dry January participation is perfectly safe for 90% of people. 

​

If, however, you are physically or psychologically dependant on alcohol it is recommended you seek medical advice before starting the challenge. This may particularly apply if you find you need alcohol early in the mornings, or soon after you awake. 

​

Additionally, if you feel physical symptoms from alcohol withdrawal, such as shaking or feeling unwell, you should seek medical advice from your doctor. 

Additional Resources

bottom of page