Also, make sure to keep alcohol out of the house to make it easier on yourself. Taking advantage of the ‘new year, new me’ hype, the Dry January Challenge https://thewashingtondigest.com/top-5-advantages-of-staying-in-a-sober-living-house/ encourages people to give up drinking for one month. It originated with a charity called Alcohol Change UK in 2013 with just 4000 people participating.
Overcoming Addiction: Find an effective path toward recovery
Exercise, laughter, and social company can all help to boost your dopamine and make drinking a less attractive activity. You can build a practical action plan by determining which micro-habits to incorporate into your daily routine throughout the month. The concept of micro-habits revolves around the idea that small actions will compound to make a bigger difference and become easier the more you carry them out. For instance, if you tend to drink alcohol before bed to wind down, you can try another activity to help you unwind before bed.
Week 4: Long-Term Benefits Kickstart
- Maybe it can give you the confidence boost you need to apply for that master’s, hunt for a new job, or set better boundaries.
- Dry January has gained tremendous traction in the past decade, and for good reason.
- One of the practices she encourages is mindful drinking, or closely examining your drinking experience.
- Our mood and overall emotional well-being play a pivotal part in how we navigate through daily activities and respond to situations.
- Women only need 8 drinks a week to classify as heavy drinkers, while it’s 15 for men.
“Most of the benefits of Dry January are probably going to be related to the intention with which you go into Dry January,” Dr. Wolinsky said. For instance, a 2016 study found that six months after Dry January ended, participants were drinking less than they were before. The health benefits that accompany these challenges are extensive and encompass various aspects of well-being. The Sober House quality of your sleep, your energy levels, and your mental clarity can all improve when you stop drinking alcohol. An essential organ that processes alcohol, the liver, receives a much-needed break, which enhances liver function and general health. Furthermore, participants often report an improved mood, as the depressant effects of alcohol are temporarily removed from the equation.
- Studies have shown a dramatic increase in problematic drinking over the last year, especially among women.
- Rather it’s a strategy with a proven success record for impactful, lasting change.
- Whether it’s podcasts, books, or blogs, start reading up on the most effective habit change practices.
What are some similar challenges to Dry January?
The condition, sometimes known as DTS, typically begins within five days after a person’s last drink, and can cause shaking, confusion, high blood pressure, fever, and hallucination. “It’s actually very unsafe for someone who has alcoholism to just stop drinking,” said Weiner. As many as 50% of people with a history of alcohol abuse can exhibit alcohol withdrawal symptoms. “One myth about alcohol is that you can drink yourself to better sleep,” Weiner said—but while you may fall asleep faster, you’re not necessarily getting restful sleep. Alcohol can actually shorten or delay the REM stage of sleep, or the restorative phase that’s important for memory, learning, and mood regulation. The second most mentioned benefit from this challenge was improved mental health.
- It’s not a jarring finding, as a company spokesperson put it, but it suggests cutting down might be on the radar for some who want to change their lifestyle.
- Crawley, a Glendale resident, joined the ranks of those who participate in what’s known as Dry January, the conscious decision to ditch booze for the first month of the year.
- The stressful effects of the pandemic still have people drinking more than usual, especially those with work and financial stress.
- This confluence of factors provides the push for people like Atkinson, the CLUB SÖDA devotee, to say goodbye to their glasses and tumblers—from time to time, at least.
- While many people know this, not everyone is ready to give up drinking completely, but they feel strongly that taking at least some conscientious time off from drinking would serve them very well.
Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol. Reach out to friends and loved ones (ask them if they’d like to join, as well!). You can also connect with thousands of like-minded people through the Reframe Forum. The financial freedom gained from participating in Dry January can be a game-changer for many. Or you can just let them know you’ll be driving home or that you’d have to wake up early for a meeting the following day. There are plenty of ways you can seek a community’s support, whether online or in person.
