After the festive period, aka the booziest time of the entire year, it’s only fair that your body was hinting for a little detox.
Are you thinking of giving Dry January a try? But, the challenge isn’t helped by your friend who is going to the bar for yet another round. Are you thinking, ‘It’s fine, I’ll just participate next year’? Well, read on to find out some of the amazing benefits that will shine in their full light if you choose to give Dry January a try. To help you out, we’ve provided for you some inspiration, motivation and even some alcohol-free serve suggestions.
Year on year an increasing amount of people pledge to avoid alcohol for an entire month; to help their health, change their habits, save on calories, halt the bank balance, the list goes on… If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking of taking part, which calls for an applause – well done! Here’s some of the benefits you’ll be feeling in no time –
1. Your overall health will benefit
Your organs will thank you, your skin will improve, and you’ll feel better overall.
2. You’ll feel more rested
Regular drinking can affect your quality of sleep because it disrupts your sleep cycle. So, even when you’ve slept for 8+ hours when you’ve been out drinking, it doesn’t feel like it, does it? But once you give your body a few nights off from processing all your bevs, you’ll start waking up much fresher and jumping out of bed a lot easier.
3. Your energy levels will increase
More sleep means more energy. Your thinking will be clearer too.
4. You’ll experience the ‘glow up’
Regular alcohol consumption dulls you, dehydrates you and reduces your skin’s elasticity. Choose water (or a Lixir) over wine and prepare to experience the ‘glow up’.
5. Your bank balance will stay higher, for longer
Think of it this way, if you currently buy two bottles of wine a week, over the course of your dry month you’ll save around £80… and that’s not including the money you’d normally spend at the bar. Opt for a sophisticated soft drink, such as a low calorie mixer, or soda water and fresh lime and you’ll be saving a fortune (and countless calories, which takes us onto our next point…).
6. You might lose some weight
Certain alcohol is very calorific, especially wine and beer. Less alcohol means less calories which could result in weight loss (we’re definifely not that we’re saying you need to lose weight, it’s just the facts). Why not opt for a low calorie tonic water; our full range contains only 44 calories or less per bottle!
7. Feel those biceps
Alcohol is actually a muscle relaxant; therefore, regular drinking can reduce muscle development. You’ll start to see changes in your body from the hard work you’ve been putting in at the gym. If you’re not a regular exerciser, but you’ve been thinking of taking it up, there isn’t a better time for you to start!
8. Fog free weekends
Your weekends won’t be lost in a boozy haze, meaning your work/life balance isn’t far from equilibrium. Your weeks will be feeling longer, and your fresh free time is your own to do whatever you want with.
9. Sense of achievement
You’ll get a real sense of achievement once you’ve done it. Whether you drink a lot or not, to know that you can get through an entire month, including the ups and downs that life throws at you, without relying on a drink, will be a truly great feeling.
Whatever your reason may be for participating in Dry January, just remember, you’re not alone. It only takes three weeks to break a habit, so this could be your route to a healthier you.
But, who said booze-free bevving had to be boring? We definitely didn’t!
