Dry January Seems Overwhelming
By K10 Patel / Jan 1st, 2024
What is Dry January?
It is an alcohol-free month where the individual abstains from drinking any type of alcohol for the entire month of January. Some call it Drynuary or Sober January, but it doesn’t matter what you call it as long as you do it.
Sure, it sounds daunting, but if it was easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge. I’m not going to lie – I love beer so this goal will be very difficult to accomplish. There is no positive correlation for the relationship between alcohol and fitness. You can research this yourself if you don’t believe me or you can talk to health experts and get their take on the subject. You will arrive at the conclusion that alcohol does not benefit your health in any way. The occasional drink is OK, but most of us don’t just stop at one beer, one wine, or one mixed drink.
For any beer lover, to abstain from alcohol for an entire month is a monumental feat to sign up for. Especially when it is easier for human brain to do a task rather than to not do a task. For example, take a look at the picture nearby of the red apple. Please do NOT think about this RED APPLE for the next 30 seconds. I bet you failed. Did you imagine the red apple in your head? Most of you did. Be honest!
This is because the brain is wired is better comprehend and comply with doing a task rather than not doing a task, hence, making the alcohol abstinence goal very daunting.
How to Survive Doing Dry January?
First off, don’t think about the entire month. Take it day-by-day. Today is what matters. Leave tomorrow, this weekend, and next week for those respective times.
I presume the most common lapse day would be a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday due to the end of the work week and weekend plans. Nevertheless, the idea of drinking alcohol is not so much about when we drink but rather our emotions and thoughts on alcohol.
If Friday night is a typical friends’ hangout night, consider a non-alcoholic drink in lieu of a beer. If you feel the need to drink to relax, you will have a tough mindset to overcome. Have you considered the possibility of other beverages to help you relax?
Maybe a chamomile tea or decaf coffee as a replacement? Think of non-alcohol beverage that you can consume and try to make plans for your weekends so that your mind is occupied in activities outside of alcohol.
So, You Lapsed in Your Dry January Goal. Why Not Do a Dry-ish January?
As a worst-case scenario, you lapse by having one drink at a dinner gathering with all your friends. Your old self would have indulged in multiple drinks, but if you can hold yourself back to one drink, at least you have some self-control with limiting your drinks to one. Your Dry January just got a little wet, but at least you cut back and held yourself in check. One thing to make certain is the reason why you are doing a Dry January.
- Do you dislike waking up with hangovers?
- Do you want to make more progress towards your fitness or professional goals?
- Does drinking keep you from aligning to the person you want to be?
- Are you trying to make a lifestyle change or lose weight?
Depending on how you answer these questions, will give you a better idea of whether to cut back or cut out alcohol completely in January. Keep in mind that the benefits of doing a Dry January are dependent on how much you are currently drinking and what your goals are. If you are a heavy drinker, you will notice a bigger change than individuals who drink in moderation.
What’s the Point in Doing a Dry January?
The concept of Dry January is fairly new and originated in 2012 (although some would say it’s debatable and existed prior to 2012). There are numerous reasons to take on this challenge of which the most common one is for health reasons.
From my point of view, having two or three beers late at night means a lack of quality sleep as well as a slight headache the following morning. Others might have more drinks and sleep like a baby so the effects of alcohol can vary drastically from one individual to another. Nevertheless, health benefits can include improved sleep, more control over one’s thoughts, better hydrated skin, improved mood, more energy, and better mornings.
Some people may think they have a free pass after doing a dry-ish January with a wet February, but refrain from doing that. You should reflect on the changes you see and feel from the Dry month.
Final Thoughts
Personally, I’m more of a fan of moderation than cutting things out completely, but I’m willing to try anything one time and see what benefits it offers.
One month of no alcohol is no joke, but experiment with yourself and analyze the results when the month is over. Whether you do Dry January (or a dry-ish January for those occasional drinkers who feel the need to have one drink), test your resolve by fighting through the first month of the year.
You will notice the difference in your sleep, skin, and workouts in only one month if you keep track and notice the small differences alcohol abstinence can bring for you.