5 Benefits of Dry January
We’ve all enjoyed some holiday cheer. What was your drink of choice: sweet spiked eggnog, steamy hot toddy, fresh peppermint-ini or creamy hot buttered rum? And let’s not forget the prior months of pandemic painkillers in the form of margaritas, merlots and Moscow mules. It may or may not have helped, but now that it’s January, let’s consider 31 days of going dry. That’s right…being totally alcohol-free…for just a short time. Before you drop your wine glass from pure shock, hear me out. There are some significant benefits to being a [temporary] teetotaler. Here are five, one for each week of the month along with a few mouthwatering mocktails as motivation!
The Benefits of Dry January
We’ve all enjoyed some holiday cheer. What was your drink of choice: sweet spiked eggnog, steamy hot toddy, fresh peppermint-ini or creamy hot buttered rum? And let’s not forget the prior months of pandemic painkillers in the form of margaritas, merlots and Moscow mules. It may or may not have helped, but now that it’s January, let’s consider 31 days of going dry. That’s right…being totally alcohol-free…for just a short time. Before you drop your wine glass from pure shock, hear me out. There are some significant benefits to being a [temporary] teetotaler. Here are five, one for each week of the month along with a few mouthwatering mocktails as motivation!
Dry January Benefits: Skip Sipping to Slim down
Skip Sipping to Slim down
Not surprisingly, people who abstain from alcohol tend to lose more weight than those who drink regularly, studies show. In some cases, non-drinkers dropped as much as five percent of their initial weight—compared to just two percent of regular drinkers. Of course, alcohol itself can be caloric. The slimmest sips (5oz wine or champagne, 12 oz light beer, or an ounce of vodka, tequila, whiskey or bourbon) will cost you about 100 calories each while the most caloric cocktails (think a frozen margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, and a White Russian) range from 300 to 500 calories. And once you’re loopy, alcohol lowers your inhibitions, making you more likely to say yes to greasy, fatty, sugary foods. Nix the booze from your January menu and you’ll be better positioned to knock off a few extra pounds.
Dry January Benefits: Skip Sipping to Avoid Hangovers
Skip Sipping to Avoid Hangovers
A pounding head. A queasy stomach. Crazy fatigue. Dry mouth. The terrible trio of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms of a dreaded hangover are unmistakable. No matter how many fixes you’ve heard about (or perhaps, tried yourself), including a hot shower, exercise, protein shakes, energy drinks, the hair of the dog that bit you, there’s really only one that 100 percent works: avoiding it in the first place. Imagine going to a family get-together or party and waking up the next morning feeling great, refreshed, ready to face the day ahead. That’s what awaits you when you embrace Dry January. Cheers to that!
Dry January Benefits: Skip Sipping to Save Cash
Skip Sipping to Save Cash
Take a look at that bar bill or grocery receipt: alcohol adds up quickly. A study from American Addiction Centers evaluated the cost of alcohol in a year in different cities, and the findings are staggering. The researchers compared a city’s weekly drinking habits and cost per drink. It ranged from the lowest in Birmingham, AL, with the average person spending about $1,000 annually to the highest in New York City with just over $2,000 spent per person yearly. Gulp.
Dry January Benefits: Skip Skipping to Sleep Better
Skip Sipping to Sleep Better
You booze, you lose…sleep that is. The simple fact is that alcohol interferes with slumber. While it may help you fall asleep, at least initially, it’s disruptive in the later stages of snoozing and doesn’t help you stay asleep. Not to mention, research suggests people quickly develop a tolerance to the sedative effects of alcohol. So having a glass of wine or two to relax and nod off isn’t always the best plan after a stressful day. A better bet: My Chaos Calmer Tea, a few minutes journaling, or some deep breathing.
Dry January Benefits: Skip Sipping to Boost Health
Skip Sipping to Boost Health
People who vowed to give up alcohol for one month ended up drinking less throughout the year, according to a study from the University of Sussex. They reported imbibing 1 day fewer per week and said they were drunk 2.1 days per month, down from 3.4. More impressive: 80 percent said they felt more in control of their drinking and seven in 10 had generally improved their health. The act of giving up alcohol made folks more insightful about when and why they drink, which had positive effects on their overall health.
Dry January Benefits: Enjoy Flavorful Mocktails
Enjoy Flavorul Mocktails
Follow my lead here: I love whipping up refreshing mocktails using various flavors of LaCroix Sparkling water. To make this Cranberry-Lime Mocktail, just mix 1 to 2 ounces cranberry juice, ½ to ¾ cup LaCroix Razz-Cranberry or Berry Sparkling Water and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Garnish with fresh cranberries…and savor the booze-free flavor.
Check out these other mocktail favorites, too!
