Humans I love-
I absolutely love any ritual that involves self-reflection and elevating our health and wellness. “Dry January” has become a trend for all kinds of people, a reset at the beginning of the year, a chance to evaluate our relationship with alcohol, and an opportunity for the body and mind to recalibrate without the disruption of booze.
[Note, the way I coach to live alcohol-free has nothing to do with “dry” or deprivation and everything to do with exploring how our habits and mindset can either support or detract from this one, beautiful life we get. We chase down freedom, true connection, and joy - nothing “dry” about that! Link below for free consult]
Potential Benefits of Dry January
Improved health: taking a break from booze supports better liver function, lowers blood pressure, is good for heart health, not to mention, waking up hangover free makes you more likely to have a quality work out
Weight loss: many folks experience weight loss without the caloric intake of alcohol
Better sleep: alcohol may help you fall asleep but it then wakes you up, disrupting healthy sleep patterns- now your body has a chance for true res
More energy: we wake up rested and energized
Emotional well-being: alcohol fuels anxiety and depression, so taking a break can stabilize your mood and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression
You save money!!!
It may be the beginning of a life of less (or no!!!) alcohol
Beware the Pitfalls of Dry January
Rebound drinking: some folks hit February hard and Dry January is no more than a countdown to game on in February. Why would we experience all of these incredible benefits only to pick up the same, damaging behavior on Feb 1?
Unrealistic expectations: while cutting out booze for one month is amazing, it takes longer than thirty days to truly experience the long term health and emotional benefits of habit that is likely decades (and decades) long
“Dry” sucks. When you simply remove something that has been tried and true without contemplating truly gratifying ways to uplevel your life, you miss the magic and can’t wait to get back to booze
True stress and potential withdrawal: depending on your habits, a sudden stop of drinking can lead to withdrawal symptoms and increased anxiety and depression
Lack of support: this is a major life change with so much potential for deep insights and learning that can be really difficult to achieve without support
Temporary Mindset: believing Dry January is a quick fix prevents us from creating, long-term sustainable change
I am all for you doing you, but if you are looking for true and lasting benefits of drinking less or quitting entirely, please reach out. My method is individually-driven, gentle, and smart. We have an abundancy mindset versus focusing on abstinence.
CURIOUS?