Reflecting On Dry Jan- It’s Worth The Hype
Why I Would Recommend A Month Off The Booze!
The trend of Dry Jan has been getting more popular each year. The start of a new year is the perfect time to set new challenges and goals to combat unhealthy habits, which for many is drinking.
The UK has a heavy drinking culture, however drinking habits are starting to change; with more and more people abstaining from alcohol. In 2017 Public Health England found 20% of the population reported not drinking at all and overall consumption had fallen by around 16% since 2004.
Even more surprisingly its young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are the main demographic giving up or drinking less according to a study done by BMC Public Health.
The lockdowns have also triggered changes in drinking culture. Charity Alcohol Change UK found in a recent survey of 2,000 people that lockdown had affected drinking habits.
Although more than a quarter of people surveyed had increased their drinking during the lockdowns, mainly attributed to anxiety, 1 in 3 had actually begun taking steps to manage their drinking. The study also found 15% of people surveyed said they were having alcohol free days.
What I Learnt From Abstaining From Alcohol For A Month
I too have taken the time in lockdown to reflect on my own drinking habits and thus decided to partake in Dry Jan. I have tried to do Dry Jan for multiple years and have always slipped up, the call of the pub after a hard day is not easy to ignore. This year however I strove to complete a month and this time I succeeded!
The first thing I noticed after a week or two of not drinking was the changes in my thinking and my relationship with alcohol. It wasn’t actually drinking which was that negative for me, it was the fact I often used it as a coping mechanism for bad days.
This is not a bad thing at all, it’s totally normal to want a drink after a long old day! However as alcohol is a depressant it can exacerbate the issue/low mood the next day or even few days. I realised when I am out of Dry Jan I should reflect if I am just having a drink to wind down or whether I am using it as a device to avoid an issue.
The second thing I observed was the difference in my productivity and mood. I was no longer losing days to hangovers (which usually meant laying in bed feeling sorry for myself). I was instead getting more done and challenging myself.
I began finding other ways to relax; going to bed earlier, doing yoga and reading. Gradually I noticed the positive influence these minor changes were having on my mood and even my friendships and relationships.
This will probably be different for every individual, however the main thing I learnt from not just going straight for a glass of wine was the importance of self reflection. Going forward I plan to reflect on my day before drinking, to make sure I am in a good mindset. I also plan to reduce my drinking during the weeks so I keep focused on my studies and goals.
Overall I really enjoyed Dry Jan and would recommend having a month off the booze to anyone wanting to reduce their alcohol intake or make a change. I would also suggest documenting your progress and habits so you can see your achievements at the end of the month.
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Written by Bronwen Latham
