Making resolutions and setting objectives at the beginning of the year is common, and for many individuals, that means abstaining from alcohol for the entire month of January. The “Dry January” trend has gained popularity in recent years as more people try to reset their relationship with alcohol, save money, and better their health. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the advantages of giving up alcohol for the month of January as well as some facts on the current alcohol consumption situation in the UK.
Let’s start by talking about some of the possible advantages of a dry January. The improvement of health is one of the most noticeable advantages. Alcohol contains a lot of calories, which can lead to weight gain. It also raises your risk of getting chronic conditions including liver disease and some types of cancer. You can enhance your liver health, decrease weight, and lower your risk of chronic disease all around by abstaining from alcohol for one month.
Giving up alcohol for a month can benefit your health and your wallet. Cutting back on alcohol for a month can help you save money for other expenses like debt repayment or vacation savings. Alcohol can be pricey. Additionally, not needing to purchase alcohol may make it simpler to keep to a spending plan and prevent overspending.
Improved sleep is a potential side effect of Dry January. Alcohol might interfere with your sleep cycles and make you feel sleepy and exhausted the next day. You could discover that you sleep better and feel more relaxed and energised during the day after abstaining from alcohol for a month.
So, how can you successfully give up alcohol for the month of January?
Dry January benefit tips
- Inform your loved ones about your aspirations. When you’re attempting to make a shift like this, having a support system can be quite beneficial. Inform your loved ones about your plans so they can encourage you and keep you on course.
- Look for non-alcoholic substitutes. It might be challenging to switch from daily drinking to never drinking at all, so look for enjoyable non-alcoholic substitutes. This could be a nice flavoured water, a non-alcoholic beer, or even a mocktail.
- Prevent triggers. It’s vital to be aware of your triggers and try to stay away from them if you can because everyone has various factors that cause them to crave alcohol. This can involve spending time with particular individuals who are usually up for drinking or visiting locations where alcohol is constantly readily available.
- Think ahead. When you have a strategy in place, it is simpler to stay committed to your objectives. If you are aware that you will be in an environment where alcohol will be present, plan your response in advance. For example, you might find a method to respectfully decline a drink without offending anyone or bring a non-alcoholic beverage with you.
Statistics
The Office for National Statistics reports that 67% of UK individuals aged 18 and over admitted to drinking alcohol over the previous week in 2019. Additionally, the weekly average for alcohol consumption in the UK was 11.2 units, which is more than the advised limit of 14 units.
Additionally, with an expected 12,800 alcohol-related fatalities in 2018, the UK has one of the highest rates of alcohol-related mortality in all of Europe. Initiatives like Dry January can help spread awareness of this important public health issue and motivate people to cut back on their alcohol use.
In conclusion, dry January benefits, including improved health, savings on your budget, your mood and relationships.