Ignore The Media And Stick With Dry January
A lot of newspapers are claiming that the COVID19 pandemic is the perfect excuse to give up on Dry January.
This is pure insanity… why would it be a good time to return to drinking a substance that lowers our immunity and damages our mental health?
Stick to your plans, Dry January is not perfect but it’s a good place to start!
The great thing about Dry January is that anyone can try it regardless of their past relationship with alcohol and sobriety. I think there will be a huge community doing it this year since tons of people developed new alcohol habits in 2020 while quarantining that they now want to kick to the curb.
Here are a few reasons why Dry January is a good idea:
- It’s more attainable than a New Year’s resolution
- You can do it with the support of a big community doing it too
- You’ll start the year off on the right foot
- You’ll learn how alcohol affects you
- You can keep going in February or
- You can develop a healthier relationship with alcohol
A major perk to taking a break from alcohol in January is that it isn’t a very social month. Even without a pandemic keeping us inside, people usually spend January curled up at home, so it’s easier to avoid alcohol at social gatherings.
Dry January 2021 may look a little different because of the pandemic, but with mental health issues at an all-time high right now, there’s never been a better time to give it a try.
Who Should Do Dry January in 2021?
Anyone can do Dry January, so the important thing is that your reasons for doing it are meaningful and specific to you. You should never do a challenge like this because of social pressure, so if you aren’t clear on your own reasoning, take a few minutes to journal about it until you discover your motivation.
Here are some examples of people who should consider Dry January:
- Anyone who wants to shake off the holidays and feel like themselves again
- Anyone looking for more energy
- Anyone who wants to sleep better
- Anyone who wants to untangle their emotional dependence on alcohol
- Anyone struggling with anxiety and depression
- Anyone who wants to test their inner strength
- Anyone who needs more focus
- Anyone who wants to be more present in their relationships
- Anyone who wants to feel free from alcohol
- Anyone who wants to practice better self-care
- Anyone who wants to understand how alcohol affects them
- Anyone who wants to promote liver and pancreas health
As you can see, everyone can get something out of a challenge like this. For it to have the most impact, keep a list of your reasons for doing Dry January somewhere you can see them on a daily basis.
You can also make a list of goals that you want to accomplish during the month, or hobbies you want to try, to keep your mind occupied and focused on something other than drinking. All of this thoughtful preparation will set you up for the best experience possible.
What To Expect During Dry January
Everyone is at a different starting place and will have a different experience, but there are some things you can expect as you detox from alcohol throughout the month.
If you had an unhealthy alcohol dependence before Dry January, you may experience symptoms that require medical assistance. Consult your doctor to make a plan to cut out alcohol safely.
More minor symptoms of alcohol detox include headaches, nausea, sweating, anxiety, insomnia, trouble breathing, and more. The good news is that they won’t last forever and you likely won’t experience them all. You should start to feel better after 5-7 days.
Joining a community of other people doing Dry January will help you get through the detox period easier. You’ll discover that you aren’t alone with your struggles and you definitely aren’t the only person experiencing alcohol dreams.
You can share your experience with others going through the same thing, and the solidarity will encourage you to keep going. If you want personal accountability, you can also post about your challenge on social media or share it with a few friends and ask them to follow up with you throughout the month.
Once the detox symptoms subside, you’ll feel amazing without alcohol in your life. You’ll be able to sleep better, feel more energetic, and your overall health will be much better. You’ll also have a clearer mind and be more present in your day to day life.
You may experience some physical benefits, like losing weight and having clearer skin. Your wallet will also thank you since drinking is an expensive habit! To see more reported benefits from others who have completed Dry January before, click here.
Just like with detox symptoms, everyone will experience different benefits, but no matter what the benefits will outweigh the discomfort in the beginning.
More Resources to Help You Quit Alcohol
It’s not too late to join Dry January 2021, and it doesn’t have to be January for you to try giving up alcohol for a month. You can get the benefits of 30 days of sobriety at any time. The fact that you’re considering it shows that you are a self-aware person, so you’re already on the path to a better life.
For more resources to help you stop drinking without going willpower or rehab, check out the rest of the blog and sign up for my next stop drinking webinar.
