We all know how it feels to overindulge during the December holidays. Festive parties, holiday drinking and more sweet treats than usual can make us feel like we need a detox. Here at Zero Wines, we believe paying attention to our wellbeing should be a priority year-round, but January can be a great time to get back on track.
Since 2013, an organization called Alcohol Change UK has promoted ‘Dry January’. It’s an initiative that encourages people to go sober for 31 days. If that sounds impossible to you, we want to introduce you to a concept called mindful drinking.
Mindful drinking
Much like mindful eating, this practice promotes creating an awareness around how much you’re drinking and how you feel afterwards. It’s not so much about ditching alcohol altogether but rather about tracking your drinks to see how they impact your overall mood, behaviour, health and wellbeing.
Sober curious movement
People have found mindful drinking to be insightful about their drinking habits. This has inspired the ‘sober curious’ movement, which simply means that alcohol-users are working towards healthier drinking habits without giving up alcohol completely. With the rise of wellness culture across the globe, people are truly starting to care about reducing their alcohol intake.
Dry January as a wellness challenge 
There is an overwhelming number of health benefits associated with sobriety. Some include improved quality of sleep and digestion, healthier skin, boosted energy levels and immune system, mental clarity, weight loss and no lasting effects of hangovers. These are only a few reasons why Dry January appeals to people as a health challenge. Plus, they save money!
Drink on your own terms
In the name of inclusivity, one of our core values at Zero Wines, we’re inviting you to define your own Dry January. If you find it too pressurising to ditch alcohol completely, let go of the ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Remember, the aim is to reduce dependence on alcohol and pursue change in a sustainable manner. You could decide to reduce your alcohol intake by 50%, or drink only on weekends, or even choose non-alcoholic or low-alcohol alternatives.
If you go right back to overindulging in February to compensate for Dry January, you’re missing the point. Dry January is merely a tool to notice your drinking habits and improve your relationship with alcohol in the long run.
How to make Dry January achievable:
Once you realise you have the freedom to choose your own Dry January terms, you’re one step closer to seeing a lifestyle change which sticks. Meanwhile, here are some tips to help get you through the month:
- Assemble a support network. Even if it’s just one or two people who are aware of your commitment, there’s a greater chance of you achieving your goals. Let them check in on you every few days.
- Embrace sober hangouts. If your social life revolves around alcohol, it can be hard to imagine other ways to have fun. It’s time to learn how to socialise without having a hangover the next day.
- Prepare your story. The reality is that drinking is a normal part of most social interactions. Chances are that people will ask you why you’re abstaining. Some might even persuade you to have ‘just one drink’. Prepare a line to explain your choices before the time so you aren’t tempted by social pressures. It’s helpful to decide now how you will respond to backlash and even practice turning down a drink.
- Stock up on non-alcoholic alternatives. There are many alcohol-free options to choose from these days. The wine industry in particular has developed great-tasting non-alcoholic wines to satisfy consumer demand. You’ll still have the experience of drinking wine with a flavour that resembles alcohol, but you won’t need to deal with any negative after-effects.
Check out our extensive range of non-alcoholic wines and place your order now to receive your package in time for January.
Resources:
www.sunnyside.co/blog/dry-january
www.sunnyside.co/dryish-january