Want To Partake in Dry January? Here Are Some Tips for the Challenge

Dry January is a month-long challenge where people abstain from alcohol. It was launched in 2013 as a way to slow down people who drink too much or too often. Interested in trying to cut back on alcohol consumption? Here are the details of the challenge.

Dry January began as a campaign created and led by Alcohol Change UK over a decade ago. The British charity and advocacy group aims to reduce the harms of alcohol, according to its website.

While the challenge can benefit some who find themselves regularly indulging in too many alcoholic beverages, it can also be beneficial to those who just want to heighten their health. The popular health trend challenges participants to forego alcohol for 31 days in a row.

Planning to do Dry January? Starting the month with a few strategies in your back pocket — and with a clear sense of your goals — may help you get the most out of the sobriety challenge. https://t.co/3fP9s4IXtX

— The New York Times (@nytimes) December 26, 2023

Ironically, Dry January comes on the heels of the festive holiday season, which runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve. As consumers make resolutions about their health, the challenge requires people to take a long, hard look at why they are choosing to abstain from alcohol.

WCAX quotes Luke Archibald, a psychiatrist at Dartmouth Health who specializes in addiction treatment, who says there are many benefits to taking a break from alcohol. “Because alcohol essentially affects every organ in the human body. So, somebody might notice improved quality of sleep, decreased anxiety, and improved cognition like clear thinking. And so there can be a wide range of benefits,” he stated.

If you want to conquer this challenge without too much added stress, there are some tips that can help. The first is to be vocal about your plan, according to The New York Times. Accountability goes a long way in making healthy habits stick, as does having a friend or partner who will join you for the month-long challenge.

Identifying your triggers can also help you hold on to healthier habits, as does removing alcohol from the home entirely, so temptation isn’t within easy access.

It’s also encouraged to reward yourself in small ways to make it through one week or day at a time. Rewards could include watching a favorite movie, getting coffee with a friend, or treating yourself to a manicure or massage.

If a social event arises that involves drinking, there are non-alcoholic alternatives available. Sparkling water or a mocktail can make you feel festive without consuming alcohol.