Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Dry January? How Can It Be Helpful?How to Try Dry JanuarySafety ConsiderationsNext in The End of the Resolution GuideHow to Manifest What You Really Want in Your Life
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Dry January? How Can It Be Helpful?
How to Try Dry January
Safety Considerations
Next in The End of the Resolution Guide
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Key Takeaways"Dry January" is the exercise of abstaining from alcohol for the entirety of the first month of the year.People who do not have an alcohol use disorder, but have noticed an increase in drinking habits over the past year, could benefit from the practice.
Key Takeaways
“Dry January” is the exercise of abstaining from alcohol for the entirety of the first month of the year.People who do not have an alcohol use disorder, but have noticed an increase in drinking habits over the past year, could benefit from the practice.
For many, drinking during the holiday season is commonplace. Social drinking is widely accepted and is seen as a way to lighten the mood and bring folks together. Unfortunately, throughout the past couple of years, we have seen dramatic increases in alcohol consumption.
Therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, says, “Alcohol sales have skyrocketed as people have felt increasingly stressed…Therefore, a lot of people have turned to alcohol as a way to handle their distress. But problem drinking is likely to make things worse.”
The holidays are a complex time of the year for many. We may wonder whether alcohol consumption during this time should be examined a little closer. Many feel increased stress during the holidays every year due to familial situations, the anxiety of hosting gatherings, or the premature loss of loved ones. However, not everyone fits into the category of needing to step back from drinking.
If you are unsure, consider the following questions to determine if your relationship with alcohol could use some reconfiguring. If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these, consider an exercise this month: Dry January.
Press Play for Advice On Addiction Recovery
A consideration for those interested in changing their routine is trying a “Dry January.” This is an exercise in abstaining from alcohol for the entirety of the first month of the year. Undoubtedly, this task will prove to be easier for some than others. The hope is that regardless of whether you choose to continue to abstain, the month will be educational and illuminating for everyone who participates.
Morin says, “Taking a month off from drinking could help you step back and examine your relationship with alcohol. You might learn you depend on it to manage stress or feel comfortable in social situations. Or you might discover you feel better and think more clearly when not drinking.”
Amy Morin, LCSWTaking a month off from drinking could help you step back and examine your relationship with alcohol. You might learn you depend on it to manage stress or feel comfortable in social situations. Or you might discover you feel better and think more clearly when not drinking.
Amy Morin, LCSW
Taking a month off from drinking could help you step back and examine your relationship with alcohol. You might learn you depend on it to manage stress or feel comfortable in social situations. Or you might discover you feel better and think more clearly when not drinking.
In addition to more clarity around navigating social situations, there are other potential health benefits to cutting back on your alcohol intake, ranging from skin benefits to improved sleep cycles.
Hillary Sheinbaum, journalist and author of “The Dry Challenge,” says, “Even if you’re giving up alcohol for just one month, you’re bound to see positive benefits such as clearer skin, improved sleep, weight loss, more money in your wallet, and more energy—among other pluses… Alcohol is a diuretic, so it’s going to dry out your skin and create the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Sheinbaum continues, “When we drink, alcohol has a sedative effect on the body initially, which can make you drowsy, but the metabolism of it actually causes awakenings and fragmented sleep.”
For those with health or diet concerns or who are interested in limiting daily calories to nutrient-rich foods, this exercise could be beneficial. Because of the lack of vitamins and minerals in most alcoholic drinks, Dry January is a potential way to cut some of those calories.
“Alcohol and alcoholic drinks are also full of empty calories, meaning when you aren’t drinking them, you’re going to consume fewer calories which can lead to weight loss,” says Sheinbaum.
According to Sheinbaum, cutting out alcohol for a month can prove difficult. These suggestions may help you get started and set yourself up for success.
Hillary SheinbaumWhen we drink, alcohol has a sedative effect on the body initially, which can make you drowsy, but the metabolism of it actually causes awakenings and fragmented sleep.
Hillary Sheinbaum
When we drink, alcohol has a sedative effect on the body initially, which can make you drowsy, but the metabolism of it actually causes awakenings and fragmented sleep.
How to Maintain a Social Life When You’re Quitting Drinking
For those who have identified heavy drinking as an issue, cutting out your alcohol consumption all at once may not be the best route. “For someone who drinks heavily, giving up alcohol cold turkey might not be safe," says Morin.
“People who consume alcohol regularly might experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop abruptly, and for some individuals, that could be dangerous. Heavy drinkers may experience seizures and serious side effects if they stop drinking without seeing a physician first,” says Morin.
What This Means For YouThere are many ways to decompress after a stressful event. While there is no shame in partaking in social and safe alcohol consumption, there are opportunities to reexamine your relationship with substances without shame. For many, drinking may have become a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, the past couple of years have been extremely stressful, and the national averages for alcohol purchases and consumption have gone up dramatically.If you have found yourself drinking more than normal, you are definitely not alone. Consider discussing this exercise with your friends and other members of your support system, and consult with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about any potential health implications.
What This Means For You
There are many ways to decompress after a stressful event. While there is no shame in partaking in social and safe alcohol consumption, there are opportunities to reexamine your relationship with substances without shame. For many, drinking may have become a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, the past couple of years have been extremely stressful, and the national averages for alcohol purchases and consumption have gone up dramatically.If you have found yourself drinking more than normal, you are definitely not alone. Consider discussing this exercise with your friends and other members of your support system, and consult with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about any potential health implications.
There are many ways to decompress after a stressful event. While there is no shame in partaking in social and safe alcohol consumption, there are opportunities to reexamine your relationship with substances without shame. For many, drinking may have become a coping mechanism. Unfortunately, the past couple of years have been extremely stressful, and the national averages for alcohol purchases and consumption have gone up dramatically.
If you have found yourself drinking more than normal, you are definitely not alone. Consider discussing this exercise with your friends and other members of your support system, and consult with a healthcare provider if you are concerned about any potential health implications.
What’s Really Driving You to Drink?
1 SourceVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pollard MS, Tucker JS, Green HD Jr.Changes in adult alcohol use and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2022942. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.22942
1 Source
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pollard MS, Tucker JS, Green HD Jr.Changes in adult alcohol use and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2022942. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.22942
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pollard MS, Tucker JS, Green HD Jr.Changes in adult alcohol use and consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US.JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(9):e2022942. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.22942
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