As the festive season fades into memory, many people embrace ‘Dry January’ to kick off the year with healthier habits.
For those unfamiliar with this initiative, participants commit to abstaining from alcohol throughout January after the indulgences of December.
The U.S. government suggests that adults of legal drinking age should enjoy alcohol responsibly and in moderation.
Eschewing alcohol is gaining traction, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, with public figures like Tom Holland openly discussing their choice to stop drinking.
There are numerous potential benefits to quitting alcohol, such as lowering the risk of various serious health conditions.
If you are a regular drinker, the initial week of giving up alcohol can be particularly challenging, notes Dr. Sally Adams from the University of Birmingham in the UK.
She shared with the Manchester Evening News: “If you regularly drink alcohol and perhaps drink a bit more than usual over the festive period you might actually experience poorer sleep and fluctuations in mood at the start of dry January.
“This is because alcohol impacts sleep duration and quality and interacts with numerous neurotransmitters underlying mood and anxiety and when you stop drinking the brain has to readjust to the absence of alcohol.”
While some individuals may face initial challenges, health professionals emphasize the benefits of completing ‘Dry January’.
Dr. Kevin Moore, who contributed to research on the benefits of sobriety, mentioned to Live Science that “around one in four adults would benefit from reducing their alcohol consumption and any reduction you can make is worth it.”
“Evidence also suggests that taking part in dry January can lead to sustained moderation in drinking beyond January,” Dr. Adams explained. “Dry January gives individuals the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with alcohol and the physical and mental health effects.”
Although the precise effects of abstaining from alcohol for a month are not fully defined, it is evident that there are numerous advantages, both physically and mentally.
A study indicated that moderate to heavy drinkers who temporarily cease alcohol intake experience several health improvements.
These benefits include weight loss, better blood pressure control, enhanced insulin resistance, and improved cancer-related growth factors.
Participants have also reported sharper concentration and improved sleep quality.