tips to succeed with dry january & treat your body with love

It’s a new year, which means it’s time to get serious about our health!

This is my second time doing Dry January, and I’m excited to start the year feeling refreshed and focused on showing my body some self love. 

Last year, it wasn’t easy immediately jumping into a month of no alcohol after drinking pretty heavily over the previous year. But the motivation of proving to myself I could make it a full month with no alcoholic beverages, and the health benefits I started to slowly see, kept me going. 

This year, I’m back, and I’m better. I’m more confident in my ability to successfully complete Dry January, and I’m confident that I have the tools and tips to help you successfully complete it too. 

As we embark on this journey together of not drinking for 31 days, I want you to remember your reason for doing it, and envision how proud your future self will be. 

Dry January can be successful by trying alcohol alternatives, informing people you’re participating in a no-alcohol month and creating a tracking or reward system.

benefits of drinking less alcohol

There are so many benefits to cutting back on drinking, ranging from a healthier liver to better sleep. Reading up on the benefits of quitting alcohol helps motivate me and remind me why I made this decision. 

But don’t just take it from me! Several experts and doctors have cited numerous benefits to drinking less too. 

The American Addiction Centers said quitting alcohol benefits the brain, heart, immune system, liver, pancreas and stomach. The organization also said quitting will lead to decreased cancer risks. 

“Evidence indicates that the more a person drinks regularly over time, the greater the likelihood they have of developing an alcohol-related cancer, such as breast, mouth and throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, and colon and rectum,” they said. 

It’s scary that something that’s so easily accessible and used so normally in social settings can do so much short-term and long-term damage. 

WebMd said a few things that may happen to your body when you stop drinking include lower blood pressure, getting sick less, better sleep and improved relationships.

I know that when I drink, especially for days in a row, I feel my immune system weakening and feel more susceptible to getting sick. It also leaves me more tired and groggy the next day. Don’t even get me started on the hangovers and nausea that comes from overindulging. 

Drinking a lot also makes me so bloated. The biggest and most surprising thing I noticed last year after Dry January was how slim I felt after not drinking for a full month. I didn’t expect for my body to make those changes so quickly. 

alcohol alternatives

The hardest part in completing Dry January to me is not drinking when I go out. I love to have a lemon drop or espresso martini at dinner, or go to bottomless brunch. So when I do go out with the girls or go on a date, I have to remind myself that I don’t need a drink. 

It’s simpler when I’m home by myself or hang out with people in spaces where alcohol isn’t present. But it can get a little complicated and more difficult in settings where drinking is prevalent. 

For example, I went to a brunch spot on Sunday and stared in awe at mimosas that other people were drinking at multiple tables. I went out for dinner with my friend last night and thought about how nice a glass of wine or cocktail would be at the moment, while we caught up.

But I stayed strong and wasn’t too tempted to order an alcoholic beverage. Instead, I opted for alcohol alternatives. At dinner, I ordered my first mocktail, which was absolutely delicious. At brunch, I ordered a warm eggnog, which was so nice and cozy. 

There are also alcohol alternatives you can find in the store that serve this purpose. It’s nice to have something you can sip on in these settings, or if you go out to a bar or club, that don’t leave you pressured to indulge in actual alcohol. 

So the next time you go out, try ordering a fun, non-alcoholic beverage. Or bring one of your own to a party or gathering. It includes you in the party and doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable or pressured for alcohol.

tell people you’re participating in dry january

It makes a world of a difference to have people on your side who can motivate you during your journey. 

If you go out with someone who doesn’t know you’re participating in Dry January, they may have questions on why you suddenly don’t want to drink. Or they may accidentally and unintentionally pressure or encourage you to have a beverage. 

They should never pressure you, even if they do or don’t know. But sometimes we can feel inclined to join them for a drink or more likely to break Dry January around others, especially if they don’t know and can’t scold you. 

Telling them in advance about your goal alleviates the stress or guilt you may feel. When I went out last night, my friend got a mocktail too, and it was nice to have a sober night. It’s nice to have people on your side who can motivate you.

Maybe you are the inspiration for other people to join you on this journey, or maybe you’re setting boundaries and letting them know not to encourage you to drink. 

Either way, it’s nice to have support from the people around you during this month. It makes you more likely to be successful during this month and sets your intentions. 

create a tracking or reward system

I love keeping track of a goal! Whether you use a journal or calendar to keep note of your progress, or if you use an app or mental note, it’s a great method to stay on top of it.

It keeps me motivated and inspired to make it all 31 days of no alcohol. Crossing off another day during the month makes me proud every time, and it’s nice to know that I’m slowly, but surely, doing a hard thing that I’m satisfied with myself for completing. 

When I envision how many days I’ve made it without a drink, I remind myself I’ve come too far to go back. I like to count down how many days I’ve made it, and even consider keeping it up and continuing without alcohol after January 31st.

If you’re interested in continuing this alcohol-free journey past the month, I encourage you to be intentional and set further boundaries and a personal system to help you reach your extended goals. 

On top of tracking your progress, try having something to look forward to, or a special treat to reward yourself with, when the month is up. Maybe you take yourself out to a nice dinner, or buy yourself a gift for making it through. 

The options are endless, but you deserve to reward yourself for making it through a full alcohol-free month in a special way that’s meaningful to you.