Five tips for taking on Dry January

Thinking about cutting back – or cutting out – alcohol for a while? You might be surprised at just how quickly your body and mind thank you for it. Whether you’re doing a month-long challenge or simply curious about what an alcohol-free lifestyle feels like, going dry can lead to some pretty remarkable changes.

Short-term benefits include:

• Taking back control: Going dry creates space to review your relationship with alcohol.

• Your sleep could improve: Alcohol fragments your sleep, preventing deep, restorative rest. Remove it, and you’re more likely to sleep deeply, wake refreshed and feel sharper throughout the day.

• Healthier looking skin: Your skin can show signs of improvements within days to weeks – reduced redness and inflammation, better oil balance and rehydration reduces dullness and dryness.

• You'll likely save money: Alcohol is one of the most expensive everyday purchases, and many Dry January participants report saving between £50 and £250.

• You may lose weight without trying: On average, people who take a break from drinking could lose around 2kg, simply by removing empty calories and late-night munchies from the equation.

  
  

Going dry for a little longer can:

• Lower blood pressure (by around 5%), cholesterol, and give you better insulin sensitivity. 

• Offer a meaningful boost to your heart and long-term health, reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes by nearly 30%.

• Lift your physical and mental health. Alcohol disrupts the normal regulation of cortisol, your body’s stress hormone. Take a break and you may notice better mood stability, reduced anxiety, and a greater sense of calm.

​Going dry this January? Here are our top tips!

• Do it with a friend: Accountability makes everything easier, and it’s more motivating when you’re sharing the journey.

• Set your environment up for success: Clear alcohol out of the house and stock up on delicious alcohol-free options. If it’s not there, you won’t miss it.

• Use your favourite glass: Half of drinking is the ritual. Keep the ritual, change the drink.

• Journal your journey: Track your sleep, mood, energy, cravings and wins. When motivation dips, looking back at your progress is incredibly grounding.

• Focus on the benefits: Remind yourself regularly why you started, and how good you already feel.

Need some alcohol-free inspo?

There are plenty of low- and no-alcohol drinks on the market now – even beers, wine and spirits that feel like the real thing. But if you’re up for trying something a little different, try one of these alternatives:

• Kombucha: Tangy, fizzy and satisfying

• Tonic water (skip the gin): Surprisingly elegant on its own

• Fresh lime and soda with mint: Crisp, clean, and perfect any time

• Pomegranate, ginger & lime spritz: You can find our recipe for this delicious drink here