Dry January: how giving up drinking for 31 days can improve your health

While the New Year approaches, many will resolve drink less alcohol or give up completely. If you can’t imagine the idea of ​​spending the whole year without your favorite adult drink, consider Janeiro Seco.

This popular annual tradition involves a short-term commitment to sobriety. As of January 1, thousands of people will stop drinking for an entire month and, apparently, those 31 days significantly improve their health.

Considering temporary abstinence? Keep reading to know everything you should know about Janeiro Seco, from the benefits of sobriety to the best non-alcoholic drinks.

Note: Although dry January can be a fun way to temporarily reduce alcohol consumption and improve your health, if you need help to reduce alcohol consumption or think you may be dependent on alcohol, visit the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism for more information Resources.

Dry January Benefits

It is no secret that alcohol destroys your body. Alcohol interferes with almost all its organs, from the brain to the heart and, of course, the liver. Alcohol consumption is related to certain types of cancer, suppressed immunity, digestive problems and much more.

Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption can improve your health in many ways – but it may seem silly to stop drinking for a month, because what can 31 short days do?

Surprisingly (or not), research suggests that short breaks from alcohol can work wonders for your health.

If you try Janeiro Seco, you can try:

• Improved sleep
• More vigilance and reduced daytime fatigue
• Less headaches
• Better focus and productivity
• Better exercise performance
• More good mood and less mood swings
• Weight loss
• Stronger immune system
• Increased hydration

Why do people make dry January?

People choose to do Dry January for several reasons. You can consider trying Dry January if:

• You are trying to achieve a health-related goal. For example, avoiding alcohol can help you lose weight and improve your fitness performance.
• You want to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol.
• You have been drinking more than usual lately and want to restart.
• You are supporting a friend or family member who wants to stop drinking alcohol.
• You just want to see what it feels like to be sober for a month.

How to make Dry January

In theory, Janeiro Seco seems simple: stop drinking alcohol, right? However, even people who reserve drinks for special occasions may find it difficult to spend an entire month without alcohol.

Try these tips to make Janeiro Seco run smoothly:

• Commit to the month with a friend (or a few). All of you can help to hold each other accountable.
• Inform your friends and family that you are doing Dry January in advance and continue to reinforce so that they know they should not offer you drinks – because sometimes, saying “no” is the hardest part.
• Buy non-alcoholic drinks (like the ones listed below) to drink in place of your favorite alcoholic drinks.
• Choose different activities to fill the time you would normally spend drinking. For example, instead of watching TV and drinking wine, play a board game, read a book, complete a puzzle, call your mom or draw a picture. Learning a new skill can help you stay busy.
• Invite your friends for non-alcoholic and safe coronavirus tours, such as group hikes or outdoor phone photoshoots in a beautiful location.

Non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy

For many people, alcohol is more ritualistic, cultural or social than anything. I, for example, love to end the work week with a glass of wine – it’s not so much the buzz I love, but the indication that another long week is over and I have a few nights to relax.

In social settings, it often seems strange to be the only one without a drink in hand. And if you come from a culture where alcohol is a central element in any meeting, the discomfort can intensify. Fortunately, you can still enjoy your rituals and meetings with a multitude of Non-alcoholic drinks available thanks to sober-curious trend.

This list is far from exhaustive, but here are some tasty beers, wines and non-alcoholic spirits to try this Dry January:

Light beer

Non-alcoholic wine

Non-alcoholic distillates

Dry January Precautions

If you think you may be addicted to alcohol, Dry January may not be the best way for you. While it is admirable to recognize dangerous alcohol consumption habits and try to reduce them, those with addiction or addiction can experience withdrawal symptoms by suddenly cutting alcohol and losing control. If you think you need help with your drinking habits, you should research addiction specialists in your area, find a group of Alcoholics Anonymous near you, speak to your doctor or call a helpline.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for medical or health advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.