Dry January: is it worth it?

We discover the pros and cons of going alcohol-free for a whole month to answer the question of dry January: is it worth it?

Alcohol. We all know it’s bad for us, but can relinquishing your favourite tipple for 31 days make a real difference to your health? In 2013, Dry January became an official annual event promoted by Alcohol Concern, where people publicly get involved and fundraise as much money for the charity as possible. But can a month of abstinence really make up for a year of excess indulgence? Here our experts share their opinions:

Elouise Bauskis, naturopath, nutritional therapist & herbalist at The NutriCentre says:

‘We’ve been told that a little bit of alcohol is healthy for us, for example a glass of red wine will provide us with resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant. Yes, there may be some health benefits, but there is increasing incidence of women especially, consuming beyond the recommended amount of alcohol and often binging at the weekends.

Women are more physiologically sensitive to alcohol than men. This is because we have a lower body content of water and we have a higher fat content, therefore alcohol becomes more concentrated in our systems and is retained in our bodies for longer. As a result, women develop liver disease at lower levels of alcohol intake than men do, and are at increased risk of osteoporosis (due to reduced absorption of nutrients). There are lots more reasons why it’s a great idea to start by cutting out alcohol gradually, starting with Dry January and then keeping your consumption to no more than the recommended 2-3 units daily.

The liver processes 95 per cent of alcohol ingested. Alcohol is seen as a toxin and therefore the body will preferentially process it before anything else. As a result it’s absorbed and processed before nutrients and food. Repeated consumption of your favourite tipple inhibits the liver’s production of digestive enzymes, which then majorly reduces the body’s ability to absorb proteins, fats and the fat-soluble vitamins. Without these vital elements, we may not have the adequate ingredients to make collagen, which can speed up ageing. Alcohol also prevents the release of glucose from the liver and can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels). This drop in blood sugar often produces a craving for foods, especially foods that raise blood sugar such as more alcohol or sugar – not good for anyone, especially those concerned with weight gain. Drinking too much can also reduce libido and increase depression and anxiety. Still fancy that glass, (or three) of vino this January?’

Simon Alexander Ong, life designer and success strategist says:

‘Giving up alcohol for just a month is like exercising for just one month a year. You’re not in the game long enough to experience the positive inevitable transformations. What can help with this is surrounding yourself with role models and others who are on a similar path to leverage the fact that we become more like the people we hang out most with.

Habits are formed through the repetition of an activity or behaviour such that they become automatic and therefore easier for the brain to function on autopilot. We can be driven by the habits that have been cultivated over months, years and even decades. In fact, right now, your life is essentially the sum of your habits.

It can be hard to break a bad habit but it’s never too late to do so, especially when you understand how. The first step requires that you be ready to change. If there’s no desire for change, then it’s unlikely you’ll rid yourself of a bad habit. Massive action is only taken when there’s a belief that change is possible. The key is to then start small as you begin the excitingly transformative journey of replacing negative routines with those that are healthier and more productive.

If you enjoy going out with friends for a few drinks after a long day in order to socialise and relax for example, a new routine must still be able to yield the same rewards. You could attend group fitness classes with friends instead perhaps. And getting there may involve a sequence of smaller steps from reducing your alcohol intake to just one drink every time you are out to just once a week, and to only on special occasions with the other times replaced with healthier activities.

There needs to be an emotional connection with the rewards of the new routine too. You want to dwell on it to the point that you are pulled towards them in an almost magnetic-like fashion. What would the healthiest version of you look like? How would you feel? And what else would that do for you? Take the time to reflect on what habits you can begin changing today, to elevate the quality of your life.

WHL says: Dry January can be a great way to kickstart a healthy new year, but remember, a few weeks without drinking won’t safeguard your health from the effects of alcohol bingeing for the rest of 2015. It’s far better to enjoy the odd drink safely, knowing that it won’t have negative consequences on your wellbeing.