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January marks the start of the year for everyone, a time when people make promises, set resolutions, and establish goals to improve their lives. It serves as a reset point, and people all over the UK embrace it.
After a period of overindulgence and feeling fatigued from Christmas, people want to pull back and get physically and mentally healthier. The idea of taking a break from alcohol has grown more popular over the decades, with people becoming sober curious or taking part in alcohol-free months such as Sober October.
One of the most popular alcohol-free “challenges” is Dry January. According to Alcohol Change UK, 32% of people in the UK have planned to take part, attempting to take a break from drinking for the month.
Dry January isn’t a serious commitment or way to punish yourself for your drinking habits. It’s more about trying a reset and exploring a healthier relationship with alcohol.
Find out more about why people take part in Dry January below.
Why January Is the Chosen Month for a Reset
A January detox makes complete sense because of what has gone on before. December is a month of commitments, activities and excess. January comes along, and everyone is in a calmer mindset, less likely to want to do a lot of things and ready to take some time out.
The weather also matches this need for rest and relaxation. It is usually colder but drier with the days getting longer, giving you the time to stay in if you want or bask in the lengthening winter days.
It is also a convenient and clean break. December is the end of the year, and January is the beginning of the new one. It is, in all aspects, a fresh start, and studies have found that people feel more motivated to pursue goals after temporal landmarks have passed.
Where Did Dry January Come From?
The official Dry January began in 2013, started by Emily Robinson, the former deputy CEO of Alcohol Change UK. In that first year, only 4000 people took part. Since then, it has grown to become a worldwide phenomenon, with hundreds of thousands using Alcohol Change UK tools whilst millions more take part without using an app.
In the UK alone, 17.5 million people are predicted to attempt Dry January this year.
It has become a massive part of the drive for people to improve their physical and mental health and use it as a catalyst for a wellness reset. It has moved beyond a charity challenge to a lifestyle experiment that people engage with year after year.
The Most Common Reasons People Do Dry January
There are many Dry January benefits, which is the reason why loads of people take part. A decrease in your intake can have a positive impact on every aspect of your life, affecting your physical and mental health, your social life and how you approach life.
Physical Reasons
- Improved sleep quality
- Increased energy
- Digestive relief
- Skin health and hydration
Mental & Emotional Reasons
- Clearer thinking
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved mood regulation
- Better emotional awareness
Lifestyle & Habit Awareness
- Breaking autopilot drinking habits
- Reassessing social routines
- Financial reset after the holidays
- Focus on new/old interests
The Psychological Benefits of Taking a Break From Alcohol
Alcohol and mental health are closely intertwined. People often drink, thinking it can alleviate a poor mood or depression, but in the end, it makes things worse. Dry January can help boost your mind and mood. Taking a break from alcohol can:
- Create space for self-reflection: No alcohol means a clear mind, allowing you to honestly examine yourself and your life, helping you to make clearer choices.
- Help you regain a sense of control: Alcohol can make you feel out of control, and when you regulate your intake, you take back some of this control.
- Build trust in personal discipline: When you practise personal, unprompted discipline, you can see what you can achieve and build more trust in yourself.
- Be more mindful and present: No alcohol can help you be more in the moment, a key aspect of mindfulness and help you be present and appreciate yourself and your surroundings.
Dry January Isn’t About Quitting Forever
Dry January shouldn’t be seen as a challenge that begins a lifetime of sobriety if you don’t want it to. This month is just a pause, giving you time to examine your relationship with alcohol and see if a different approach suits you.
Mindful Drinking vs Abstinence
Abstinence culture revolves around stopping drinking completely, no matter what. This is important to people in rehabilitation who really cannot control their drinking. Mindful drinking is about slowing down, thinking about why you drink, how it affects you, and what you actually get out of it.
Many people who stop drinking during Dry January may choose to stay sober or practice mindful drinking afterwards find that they sleep better, have an improved mood, lower blood pressure and feel healthier.
People who engage in Dry January often learn that alcohol doesn’t have to dictate aspects of their lives. Social settings are still fun without huge amounts of drinking, and people learn how being healthier positively affects them.
Many carry the things they have learnt during the month into the rest of the year, providing a platform for a more positive and healthier approach to how they live.
Why Environment Matters When You’re Resetting
If you are looking for a reset, changing your environment can help. Taking time away from the familiar removes you from everyday stressors, easing the pressure on yourself. In a new place that is calm, you will be allowed to develop a routine, which will reinforce building healthy habits that you can maintain when you go back home.
Places such as retreats and wellness settings put emphasis on embracing nature and calm spaces because they help build habits. Studies have found that time in nature reduces stress and improves cognitive function, and even a short daily walk can help you reduce your anxiety and give you time to reset.
Especially if you are struggling with your relationship to alcohol, rehab centres are useful because they bring structure, support and time away to allow people to heal and focus on the important things.
Struggling With Alcohol Misuse? Get in Touch Today
The benefits of not drinking alcohol are nearly endless. You should see Dry January as the starting point for exploring an alcohol-free life, not the finish line, and approach it with curiosity in mind rather than expectation or pressure.
Dry January can help you begin to prioritise wellness long-term, giving you the chance to gain more balance in your life and gain a better understanding of yourself and the things around you.
If you are struggling with alcohol misuse and need support, we can support you. Contact us today for a confidential talk about our treatment options.
