3 Ways Dry January Can Help You Be Your Best in 2023
Dry January is a popular annual tradition in which people commit to abstaining from alcohol for the entire month of January. Many people participate in Dry January as a way to reset their relationship with alcohol and kickstart their New Year's resolutions. But the benefits of Dry January can extend far past the month and help set you up for success throughout the year. Whether you're looking to improve your health, boost your productivity, or simply feel better overall, Dry January is an excellent place to start.
Table of Contents
What is dry January and why do people do it?
Benefits of Dry January
#1: You'll Sleep More Soundly
#2: You'll Save Money
# 3: You'll Have a Stronger Immune System
Bonus Benefit: You'll Be More Hydrated
What is Dry January and why do people do it?
A dry month is a period where you simply don't consume any alcoholic beverages. As for Dry January, there are many reasons why people choose to participate. One of the main reasons that people choose to do Dry January in particular is because of the excess alcohol and food consumption that often occurs during the holiday season from November to December. Many people find that they drink more than usual during this time of year, whether it be at parties, family gatherings, or simply because of the stress and frenzied nature of the holidays. As a result, they may feel like they need to take a break from alcohol in order to reset their habits and get back on track with their health and wellness goals.
For many people, Dry January is a chance to take a break from alcohol and see how it affects their daily life. It's a chance to remind themselves that the frequency of drinking in social situations around the holidays can lead to habitual alcohol consumption (rather than a choice or treat to be enjoyed).
Benefits of Dry January
There are many health benefits to a month of sobriety. Participants experience a number of health benefits from their month of sobriety, including better sleep, money savings, and improved overall wellness (to name a few). Often, and especially after holiday weight gain, they will find abstaining leads to weight loss, too.
#1. You'll sleep more soundly.
Despite the historical use of alcohol as a way to get to sleep, alcohol consumption generally leads to poor, fragmented sleep. Consider the last time you drank heavily. You likely felt very tired and fell asleep quickly, but did you wake feeling rested and refreshed?
Not only does alcohol disrupt sleep patterns and interfere with REM, but because alcohol is a diuretic, you'll be more likely to wake to use the bathroom during the night.
Simply put, abstinence from alcohol leads to better sleep which translates to more energy and focus (and less brain fog).
Anecdotally, I can say that I feel, after a night of heavy drinking, it takes me one to two nights to catch up on my sleep and to feel rested again. If you want to start your 2023 off right, feeling rested, energized, and excited about achieving your goals, good sleep is a great place to start.
#2. You'll save money.
It's not just the health of your body that can be improved by a month of abstinence - the health of your wallet can improve, too.
Alcohol isn't cheap. As easy as it is to hit a happy hour with your friends, the cost of social drinking really adds up. Say you spend $40 on drinks a week. That's $160 in a month! Consider what else you could put that money toward. A gym membership? An insulated water bottle (to help keep you hydrated each day)? Take a minute to think about how else you might use that money to support your goals in 2023. Knowing what it is you want to do with those extra dollars makes it easier to save them throughout the month.
If you find that you miss the social aspect of joining your friends for drinks, meet them out and try ordering sparkling water with a splash of juice. You'll pay way less than your typical alcoholic beverage and still enjoy your time.
#3. You'll have a stronger immune system.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol consumption can weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight off infections. Studies show that alcohol consumption can decrease the production of certain white blood cells that are responsible for fighting off infection and injury.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) states that heavy drinking can also lead to a condition called alcoholic liver disease, which can cause liver inflammation and impair the liver's ability to remove toxins from the bloodstream. This can put a person at risk for bacterial infections and other complications.
As such, taking a month-long break from alcohol can help restore your immune system.
Bonus Benefit: You'll be more hydrated.
Again, alcohol is a diuretic (meaning it increases urination and can cause dehydration). By refraining from alcohol consumption you're giving yourself a better chance at staying properly hydrated. Adequate hydration can help to improve your energy levels, support the function of your organs, and regulate your body temperature.
Replace your alcohol intake with water during your period of sobriety and you'll build a habit that can last well beyond January - and have a lasting, positive impact on your overall health.
Key Takeaways
In short, after spending the holidays overindulging in everything, a month of sobriety can yield several benefits including:
better quality, less-fragmented sleep
money savings
improved immune function
better hydration
Plus, doing this in January helps you reset and put into place habits that you can carry with you after the month ends, setting you up for success throughout the entire year.
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