Dry January
Dry January is the simple step of not consuming alcohol for the month of January – New Years Day to the 1st Febraury. This annual pledge has been running and promoted for the last few years by the charity Alcohol Change UK. There are many benefits for individuals that undertake this challenge. They range from weight loss due to the reduced number of calories, saving money to the ultimate realisation that you don’t need alcohol to have fun! It will also give individuals the confidence that they can control their drinking habits all year round.
There have been a number of clinical studies assessing the benefits of Dry January. They range from improved blood pressure and improved insulin resistance to highlighting embodied learning, self-formation and an overall improvement in positivity. Self-reported outcomes by participants also highlighted improved concentration, more energy and better sleep. As with everything these days, there is an App to help you. Its available on Android and Apple.
Alcohol excess remains the leading cause of liver related deaths in the UK. Whilst most of us can control our drinking habits, there may be times in our lives when we turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. Dry January empowers the individual to realise that one can do without alcohol and that positives easily outweigh the negatives.
Happy New Year!