As we are approaching the halfway point of Dry January, those taking part will already be noticing the benefits. With less than 3 weeks to go, now is a great time to remind yourself why you are taking part.
Participants of Dry January may have already noticed that they are sleeping better, have more energy, and feel better in general. According to Alcohol Change UK, when taking part in Dry January, 70% of people sleep better, 86% save money and 65% notice generally improved health.
If you are taking part in Dry January and are already noticing the benefits, you may be considering quitting or reducing your alcohol intake long-term. Research suggests that by giving up alcohol for 31 days, it helps people learn the skills needed to manage their drinking. It teaches people that they don’t need alcohol to have fun, relax, or to socialize. Therefore, participants in Dry January are likely to make better decisions throughout the year when it comes to drinking.
Reducing your alcohol intake long-term, or even quitting alcohol altogether, will have an amazing impact on your body and mind. Here are just some of the benefits you may experience:
- More energy
- Improved mood
- Better sleep
- Lowered blood pressure
- Lowered cholesterol
If you don’t immediately start to feel the benefits, don’t give up! You may feel worse before you feel better, as you may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you are a heavy drinker. However, it is important to look out for signs that you have alcohol dependency and should not stop drinking completely:
- Seizures
- Hand tremors
- Sweating
- Visual hallucinations
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, then Dry January may not be for you as it can be very dangerous to stop drinking suddenly when you are dependent on alcohol. This does not mean that you cannot safely gain control of your drinking. Contact your GP for more information.