Feel the Benefits: Dry January Positives

As Dry January continues in full flow, hopefully you should be starting to see and feel the benefits.

By reducing alcohol intake to zero for a month, Dry January can provide people with a sharp contrast; life with alcohol and life without it.

The differences can be noticeable and hugely positive. Drink Aware take a look at how a lack of alcohol can help improve your physical and mental wellbeing:

Physical benefits of cutting out the alcohol

A month can be long enough to feel the benefits of cutting out alcohol from your diet.

Firstly, you should notice better energy levels as alcohol can disrupt your sleep cycles. A lack of consistent, deep sleep can lead to lethargic and sluggish days. It is important to limit the sleep-disrupting elements of your life as much as possible.

Alcohol intake increases the amount of calories in your daily consumption (a pint of beer can have the same amount of calories as a slice of pizza). By cutting out the booze, you will improve your chances of losing weight.

Your skin appearance will also improve. Alcohol has the effect of dehydrating your body. This includes the skin and can make it look dull. Avoid this by avoiding alcohol.

Benefits to your mental health

There are tangible positive effects to your mental health from cutting out alcohol. By taking alcohol out of your daily routine, the improved energy levels mentioned above, can have the effect of improving your productivity and making you feel like you have achieved more in your day. That provides a much-needed self-esteem boost, particularly important during times of Covid-related lockdown.

Drinking over a sustained period can contribute to feelings of depression and anxiety. By cutting it out, or cutting right down, you can help discourage this trend.

If you are midway through Dry January, keep going and stay strong! The positives to wellbeing far outweigh the loss of alcohol in your life.