The benefits of Dry January

 

By Kati Whilyer

 

Given the gastronomical excess that usually accompanies the holidays, it’s no wonder that many people’s New Year’s resolutions typically involve dieting and hitting up the gym. In recent years, however, an increasing number of people are adding “Dry January” to their list of healthy new year choices.

 

Dry January is exactly what it sounds like: one month without alcohol. The concept was originally created by the British nonprofit group, Alcohol Concern, as a way to address the country’s issues with alcohol consumption and “start conversations that lead to a healthier relationship with alcohol.” Since its introduction in Britain, Dry January has become an international movement, with many people choosing to forego alcohol for one month to lose weight, get better sleep, detox their bodies, and test their will power, as well as their dependence on drinking.

 

The benefits of Dry January are many. Participants frequently report better sleep and higher amounts of energy. Many people lose weight and almost all participants save money. While these are great benefits of Dry January, they are also short-term and, indeed, the whole purpose of Dry January is to raise awareness regarding the perils of binge drinking and over-alcohol consumption.

 

Heavy drinking can lead to many serious health issues and chronic illness, such as heart problems, liver damage, a weakened immune system, and more. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a serious alcoholic to develop these issues. Binge drinkers can just as likely develop alcohol-related health issues, as can people who regularly drink above recommended limits.

 

Alcohol limits vary for men and women. Britain’s National Institute of Health defines low-risk drinking for women as a maximum of three drinks a day and no more than seven a week. The recommendation for men is that they drink no more than four drinks in a day and no more than 14 in a week. Any time a person drinks above those limits, whether they have a “drinking problem” or not, they are engaging in high-risk behavior and are doing some level of damage to their bodies, their organs and, of course, their brains.

 

In other words, while 30 days without alcohol may seem like challenge enough to some people, when people take it seriously, the benefits of Dry January will extend beyond the short-term.

 

Alcohol consumption is a serious problem in many countries, yet because of its legality, as well as the way it’s romanticized in popular culture, we often don’t think about the serious consequences of our drinking. Want to sleep better, lose weight, save money, have more energy, and raise awareness about binge drinking? Want to skip those nasty hangovers and not worry about what you said or did the night before? Then join the movement and get dry for January!