As we covered in our previous blog post – ‘Wellbeing, Connection and Growth, we’ve bean embracing January!’ the first month of the year presents the perfect opportunity for us to take it easy and detox, with challenges like Dry January. This initiative has been around for 12 years now and has stuck for good reason, with over 200,000 people signing up last year. For some, it provides motivation to try cutting alcohol out of their lives for a month, and for others, it’s the chance to reflect and be mindful of how much alcohol we actually drink and see if we can cut down at all (if we want to, of course).

Dry January gives us the space to think about the role that alcohol plays in our lives – whether that’s big or small, and whether it might be having a negative impact on us. Here are 7 ways in which alcohol may be affecting our day-to-day:

  1. Sleep Disruption – Alcohol can stop us from getting that deep, restorative sleep that we all need to help us reset and reboot, ready for the next day.
  1. Energy Slumps – It might feel like a boost in the moment, but it can leave us feeling drained and lethargic in the long run.
  2. Weight Gain – Those sneaky calories in drinks can add up quickly – did you know a pint contains 200 calories, whereas cocktails are averaging at the 250 mark?!
  3. Mental Health Impact – Alcohol is, unfortunately, a depressant, so even while it gives us a little lift in the moment, it can worsen anxiety and low moods overall. As well as giving us that dreaded ‘hang-xiety’ the following day.
  4. Reduced Focus – Even a little bit of alcohol can affect our concentration the next day – whether that’s at work or our general day-to-day.
  5. Weakened Immune System – Higher alcohol consumption can impact our natural defences and make it harder for our bodies to fight off colds and bugs.
  6. Money Drain – Nights out or a bottle here and there can impact finances more than you might realise!

The above reasons were enough to make me consider a dry(ish) January, so I gave it a go.

Other than two occasions where I’d planned to have a tipple or two, I remained off the booze and I’m feeling much better for it!

My top takeaways from Dry(ish) January, and where I really saw the benefits were…

  • The savings! Having downloaded the Try Dry app, which helps you track your progress and stay on top of your goals, the dashboard showed that I’d saved an estimate of £111. However, the app doesn’t take cocktails into account and I’m certain I would have been saving even more money on this front, so I am chuffed!
  • How easy it was. I can honestly say that I found the challenge easier than expected and I was thrilled by this. I started to become more mindful of when I was having a drink, and when perhaps I didn’t need one. It had become too habitual to crack open a bottle of wine with a quiet movie night or have a gin & tonic when nipping to the pub for a quick catch up with a friend. The challenge has made me question whether I wanted to spend a tenner on a ‘quick drink’ – it adds up all too quickly and elderflower cordial with soda is just as nice!
  • The tasty alternatives. While the above tipple would be my go-to, Dry January opened my eyes to the tasty alternatives that are available now, both in supermarkets and when dining out. With a huge rise in low-to-no drinkers, operators are increasing their offerings to be more inclusive with a variety of mocktails, more alcohol-free spirits and experimental ways to put a booze-free spin on classic cocktails like the ‘EspressNo Martini’. Soft drinks are also seeing an upgrade, gone are the days when the only options were Pepsi, soda and lime or J2O, soft drink companies are upping their game and we’re seeing a surge in premium options with the likes of Jolly’s Drinks, or CBD-infused brand Trip.
  • The quality of sleep. After the first week staving off alcohol, I really noticed a difference in how I was sleeping. I was falling into a deeper sleep much more easily and waking up feeling more refreshed and energised than I had before. I can’t tell you how much I value this especially with the dark January mornings!

These were the top benefits I’d seen in taking part in Dry January, though the list doesn’t stop there. You may also notice:

  • Healthier Skin – This comes as no surprise – alcohol contains a lot of toxins which may irritate and antagonise your skin, so steering clear gives it the chance to refresh and detox.
  • Gym Gains– You might notice those exercise sessions paying off more than they used to.
  • Clearer Mind – Enjoy sharper focus and creativity.
  • Emotional Balance – Feel calmer and more in control, especially when stressful or unexpected challenges come up.

Whatever your motivation for reducing consumption, as a nation we are drinking less. Did you know that 14% of consumers now consider themselves to be non-drinkers**. No and low-alcohol drinks are also outperforming the UK alcohol market, growing by a whopping +17% in 2023, and is predicted to grow by a further +4% volume by 2028*.

If you fancy trying to cut back on alcohol but need a little support, these are our top tips on getting started:

  • Download the Try Dry® App: Track your progress, set goals, monitor your mood and sleep, and enjoy support throughout the challenge. You can even schedule daily reminders to keep you on track.
  • Plan Fun Activities: Try a new hobby, pick up an old one, or get active with a new sport. Staying connected and seeing friends and family will boost your mental wellbeing and provide you with support.
  • Relish in your Savings: Put aside the money you’d usually spend on drinks and treat yourself to something special.
  • Set Your Goal: Whether it’s cutting back or going completely dry, define what success looks like for you and celebrate your progress – no matter what that looks like.
  • Tell Someone: Sharing your goal can help you stay accountable and make the challenge more rewarding.

If you’ve tried Dry January, we’d love to hear how you got on, have you continued to be more mindful? Share your experience of Dry January with us on our socials @jellybeanagency and if you’ve enjoyed reading this blog why not give us a follow on Instagram and Tik Tok!

Sources:

*https://www.theiwsr.com/insight/no-and-low-alcohol-drinks-outperform-a-declining-uk-alcohol-market/

**Lumina

https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets

 

Courtney Rodrigues
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