31 Dry January Tips | One For Each Day
It’s that time of year again when we work on ourselves, set ourselves resolutions for the year ahead and try to generally become more healthy. Of course, I am indeed talking about dry January.
Now, when it comes to dry January, it's not just about trying to go sober. Even though on the surface that’s exactly what you’re doing. It's learning about yourself and setting yourself challenging yet achievable goals to kick start the year ahead.
Other than the challenging yourself aspect, there's this whole array of health benefits that go along with it. From losing weight to working on your overall fitness and mental health. Which is why dry January is something I highly recommend even if you have no ambition to give up alcohol full time.
It’s also a great way to discover the quickly growing world of non-alcoholic drinking. Cutting out the booze from your favourite tipples is a great way to force yourself to try new drinks and find new flavours. Who knows, you might just find that you love something you thought you never would.
Why Do Dry January
So other than the obvious reasons, health and wellbeing. You may be thinking, why, why do dry January. Well if the whole health and fitness thing wasn’t enough for you, below I have listed just 6 of the many reasons why Dry January is a good thing to try and why I recommend it.
And as a FYI, you don’t have to do dry January in January. It just helps that it’s the start of the year. By all means try it whatever month suits you best. And it also doesn’t have to be for the entire month. If you don’t want to commit to 31 days you can go for 2 or even 1 week.
Flexible Dry January
You also don’t have to go fully dry. I know it might sound like cheating but look, it’s about challenging yourself and cutting down throughout January to see how you get on. If you’re the type of person who has a drink every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. And for January you’ve managed to cut that down to once every 2 weeks. That’s still a win. Even if you only last 2 weeks or 1 week. It’s a win. So go easy on yourself.
31 Dry January Tips
Set Clear Goals for Dry January
Begin your journey by clearly defining your reasons for participating in Dry January. Whether it's for health improvements, financial savings, or personal growth, having a well-defined goal will serve as your North Star throughout the month.
Inform Friends and Family
Building a support network is crucial for success. Letting your close ones know about your commitment will not only garner encouragement but also create a sense of accountability.
Discover Alcohol-Free Alternatives
Embrace the world of non-alcoholic beverages. Explore various options until you find alternatives that satisfy your taste buds and replace your usual alcoholic choices. We have loads of recommendations here on Smartblend. Just check out the best non-alcoholic spirits here.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key. Keep a water bottle handy to quench your thirst and curb any cravings that may arise during the day.
Explore Mocktail Recipes
Elevate your non-alcoholic beverage game by experimenting with mocktail recipes. Get creative with flavors, and discover new combinations to make your alcohol-free experience enjoyable. Once again, loads of these here on Smartblend. And I mean, loads! Check out all of them here.
Create a Support System
Connect with like-minded individuals by joining online communities or participating in local events. Sharing your experiences and challenges with others can provide invaluable support.
Plan Social Activities
Shift the focus of your social events away from alcohol-centric gatherings. Plan activities such as hiking, movie nights, or game nights to enjoy quality time with friends without the need for alcohol.
Health Shots
Try health shots. They have the kick of booze but its all health. Here are 5 recipes to get you started.
Join Online Communities
Online forums and groups can be excellent resources for guidance and support. Engage with others on a similar journey to exchange tips, advice, and encouragement.
Practice Mindfulness
Develop mindfulness techniques to stay present and manage stress without resorting to alcohol. This may include activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga.
Focus on Health Benefits
Remind yourself of the positive impact abstaining from alcohol can have on your physical and mental well-being. Improved sleep, increased energy, and enhanced mood are just a few of the potential benefits.
Set Rewards
Establish a system of rewards for reaching milestones throughout the month. Treat yourself to something special as a way of acknowledging your achievements.
Distract Yourself
Engage in activities that keep your mind off drinking. Whether it's reading, exercising, or learning a new skill, finding alternative sources of pleasure can be key to success.
Educate Yourself
Knowledge is power. Learn about the effects of alcohol on your body and mind, reinforcing your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Clear Out Alcohol at Home
Remove any lingering temptations by clearing your living space of alcohol. This simple step can make a significant difference in minimizing potential relapses.
Prepare Responses
Arm yourself with polite responses for declining alcohol when offered. This helps you navigate social situations without feeling pressured to indulge.
Get Adequate Sleep
Prioritize a good night's sleep to manage stress and reduce the likelihood of turning to alcohol for relaxation.
Create a Calendar
Visualize your progress by marking off each alcohol-free day on a calendar. This tangible representation of your achievements can be a powerful motivator.
Explore Alcohol-Free Events
Seek out events and activities that don't revolve around alcohol. Attend art exhibitions, concerts, or sports games to broaden your social experiences.
Learn from Previous Attempts
Reflect on past experiences and identify strategies that worked well or areas where improvement is needed. Use these insights to tailor your approach for a more successful Dry January.
Find New Hobbies
Channel your newfound time and energy into hobbies that bring you joy without the need for alcohol. This could be anything from painting to hiking or playing a musical instrument.
Write a Journal
Document your journey in a journal. Recording your thoughts, challenges, and victories allows for reflection and helps you stay connected to your goals.
Read Success Stories
Seek inspiration from others who have successfully completed Dry January. Realizing that others have overcome similar challenges can boost your confidence.
Reward Yourself with Treats
Treat yourself to non-alcoholic indulgences, such as gourmet snacks or desserts. These rewards reinforce positive behavior and make the journey more enjoyable.
Exercise Regularly
Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine. Exercise not only boosts mood but also helps manage stress, reducing the desire for alcohol.
Explore Alcohol-Free Bars
Discover establishments that offer a variety of non-alcoholic options. This allows you to socialize without succumbing to the temptation of alcohol.
Volunteer
Use your newfound time to give back to the community. Volunteering not only contributes positively to your mental well-being but also provides a sense of purpose.
Practice Gratitude
Focus on the positive aspects of your life. Practicing gratitude can shift your mindset and help you appreciate the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle.
Set Long-Term Goals
Consider how your experiences during Dry January can influence your relationship with alcohol in the long run. Setting long-term goals helps maintain a positive trajectory beyond the month.
Reflect on Financial Savings
Take note of the money saved by abstaining from alcohol. Consider how these savings can be allocated toward other meaningful endeavors.
Celebrate Achievements
Acknowledge and celebrate both big and small achievements throughout the month. This positive reinforcement strengthens your commitment and builds confidence.
Why 31 Dry January Tips?
The reason for 31 tips is that there are 31 days in January. Even though I’ve spoke throughout about the fact you don’t need to do it in January or throughout the entirety of the month. I just like the sound of 1 tip per day, If I’m honest.
6 Reasons to start Dry January right now.
#1 Just to see if you can do it
If you’re anything like me then December will have been filled with booze. So it's a great contrast to see if you can have a whole month on the opposite side of that scale. Furthermore, you don’t necessarily have to be a heavy drinker to benefit from dry January. Knowing how easy it is for you to go a whole month without alcohol will be highly beneficial to just knowing what you can and can’t do.
#2 Detox
Giving yourself a break from alcohol lets your body breathe from the December hammering it undoubtedly got. Not to mention that it’s going to have oodles of benefits for your skin and natural glow.
#3 Become more productive
You want to start the year as productively as possible and nothing will help you get there quite as much as a month without booze. Whilst everyone else is spending Sundays in bed hungover, you will be up and at it. Growing a business, learning a new skill, baking a Sunday cake. is that a thing? I dunno, it should be though.
#4 Discover new hobbies
With all this free time that you’ll have without being hungover or in bars, you’ll be able to try new things that you may have always wanted to try. Painting? Pottery? Dancing? Who knows, you might just find yourself a future career in something you never knew you would be great at.
#5 Finding a healthy routine
Nothing quite throws a routine out the window like drinking. Especially when you’re hungover. We want to start the year with healthy routines. Maybe you plan to wake up at the same time each day, batch cook your meals for the week ahead on a Monday morning, workout 3 times a week or simply give up junk food.
Once you’re hungover, all that goes out the window. So starting the year without drinking, ensures you get the best chance possible to build that routine. That way if you continue drinking after January, at least you have solidified your healthy routine which you can work alongside drinking.
#6 Appreciate flavour
When we drink just to get drunk, we don’t necessarily care about flavour. By removing the booze we can enjoy our drinks that much more. Finding flavours we love and developing our own palettes without obliterating them with alcohol.
Now you know the reasons to try dry January, you may be looking for advice to get you through. Check out Lyres guide to surviving dry January right here.
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Hi, I’m Cameron, guv’nor of Smartblend and all round mindful_mixologist. If you’ve enjoyed this guide and want more resources for dry January, you just might benefit from checking out my mindful drinking page here on Smartblend.