Flirting with sobriety this January?
Dry Jan... we all know it right? Some of us might have attempted it, and some of us might have made this an annual tradition. But why? We delve into the science behind doing dry January, and also tips to help you stick to it, without compromising on social plans.
This isn’t me by the way… but it could be!!
So, why do sober January?
Well, there are loads of reasons that people decide to go sober - whether that be for a month, longer or indefinitely.
We all know that December brings with it multiple opportunities to indulge in an alcoholic beverage. It can often be near impossible to avoid it. And there’s absolutely no judgement. People often use alcohol as a ‘survival tool’. For some, Christmas is a very triggering time and a little drink here or there to take the edge off, can in moderation be a successful calming tonic. However, sustained drinking over the course of December (and longer) can leave us feeling worse than anticipated, and using drink as an escapism can lead to dependency. The hangover isn’t just a sore head, it can also be a low mood, anxiety and regret. I myself have found myself feeling low waking up in the morning after a night of drinking with friends. It’s not that I didn’t have fun, but with darker mornings and a to-do list that never gets smaller, I am often filled with post-drink dread about dealing with the day ahead. This dread often then leads me to sleeping longer, feeling sluggish, ignoring said to-do list and spending less time with people that I care about.
I started January with a longing to not feel this way when I wake up. Hence, my own attempt at sober January. Research shows that there is an association between extended periods of heavy drinking and depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Alcohol-induced changes in brain chemistry have been linked to an increased risk for depression, anxiety, psychosis and suicidal thoughts. My hangover morning thoughts have (thankfully) not led me into any serious lows, however I can see how you might get there with excessive year round drinking.
Beyond the mental health reasons for avoiding the drink are the rather obvious physical health benefits. I’m not going to go into these, because most of us know them, and I’m no expert - I’d definitely do a disservice to the topic. But it’s good to give your liver a break, so that it can effectively clean your blood of other toxins - not just alcohol.
Getting out into nature with friends is a great way to be present and connect
So what happens to your body when you detox from alcohol?
After your last drink your liver starts working overtime and the pancreas starts producing extra insulin, so it’s important to drink a lot of water. After a couple of days, the body goes into detox mode. Meaning headaches and grogginess will have subsided and you will start to feel more refreshed in general. It takes 72 hours before you mentally and physically feel back to normal on average. (Do you ever find that Tuesdays are much easier than Mondays?… maybe something to do with this…)
After a week, your sleep pattern becomes more regulated, you wake up with more energy and your skin looks clearer. It may take a little longer to get here for people that drink more heavily.
Towards the end of the month, your liver fat reduces by up to 15%, increasing our ability to flush out toxins. You’ll often notice a flatter stomach, much clearer skin and an improved immune system. Mild liver disease can be reversed completely if a person stops drinking alcohol. The bad news? Most academics agree that one month isn’t enough time to form a lasting habit - or to repair severely damaged liver cells. Most doctors will recommend at least a few months off at a time for heavier drinkers.
Alcohol is believed to be the second biggest cause of skin ageing after sun damage. The high sugar in many drinks also triggers breakouts, reduces skin plumpness, and dulls the complexion. It can also alter our skin’s hormonal balance and worsen conditions such as acne and rosacea.
An added benefit of avoiding alcohol for a month (or longer) is that you may find yourself with more time on your hands. You can spend this either learning new skills + hobbies, or getting to know yourself a little bit better. Sit with your feelings, rather than using alcohol to suppress them.
Ok, but how to get the friend that ‘always has a pint in their hand’ to understand that you don’t want alcohol right now? Well, your reasons for going sober might be completely different to mine. So tell them yours, it’s all personal. Good friends, and mature adults will understand. Any backlash from a person to your reasons for trying out sobriety should be taken with a pinch on salt. It’s most likely coming from a place of fear or ignorance, or both.
I’ve been deliberately going inwards this month, whilst also trying to find a community that understands. This weekend, me and my friend Emma (hey Emma :) ) went to an afternoon yoga and wellness retreat run by people like us retreats. Funnily enough, I bumped into about 4 others that I already knew there. (See, not everyone is at the pub…) And I felt grateful to be carving out new connections and new community, while listening to my mind and my body through yoga, somatic movement and intention setting. The cost of the retreat was £40 - easily less than I would spend in the pub on a normal Saturday afternoon - so I also feel great for saving money after Christmas.
Trying dry Jan? Let us know in the comments.
Written by Monica Innes, Co-Founder of Re Cabins - Tues 9th Jan 2024
