New Year’s Resolutions can be more of a pain than a gain, but here’s one which requires no heavy lifting. Taking on the Dry January Challenge and dropping the drink has more going for it than you think!
Unlike annual gym memberships which inevitably fall flat, Dry January only lasts a month. Plus, it probably comes with as many health benefits as exercise, and no Lycra or trainers will be harmed in the process.
The Alcohol Change website tells us, “Dry January stats show 70% of participants experience better sleep and 66% report having more energy”. That’s all great news, but even more enticing is over two-thirds say they’ve saved money. A decent pint or bottle of wine comes at quite a price, especially in a pub or restaurant, so any savings you can make especially after Christmas can only be a good thing. You’re not just preserving your liver but keeping that pound in your pocket.
Giving up the booze used to single you out as the party pooper. Now, it’s all the rage and the Dry January Challenge, launched back in 2013, is a well established campaign many are embracing. You can wear your new-found sobriety like a badge of honour by volunteering as designated driver when out with friends. Just think of all the favours you could be stacking up for the rest of the year!
Polish that halo of abstinence and secure yourself some extra motivation by getting friends and family to donate to a good cause if you make it to the end of the month without a sniff of vino. Fundraising gives you a great focus and helps get others involved too.
Even though the challenge only runs for a month, you should feel the positive effects kick in quickly. But if the pull of wine o’clock is too strong, why not give alcohol-free drinks the once-over? They’ve come a long way since their early days when they really were the short straw on an evening out. You’ll find all supermarkets stock a good selection so give yourself a taste-hit without the hangover!
If you’re after a touch of sophistication turn to the mocktail. A non-alcoholic twist on the traditional boozy cocktail – dress it up or dress it down, the choice is yours. And there are more recipes online than there are days of the month!
But the best bit about the Dry January Challenge is proving to yourself you can do it. Like deciding to install a Stiltz Homelift if you’re struggling with stairs, it represents a conscious decision to break the mould, go against the grain, and doing something differently.
So maybe now is the time to also discover a Stiltz; it’s a New Year’s revelation, resolution and revolution all in one!