T.S. Eliot famously said ‘April is the cruelest month,’ but I think we’d all agree that January unequivocally takes that title.
Trees and decorations come down. Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey go back into hibernation (which is actually a good thing). And every gym in the world overflows with new members, none of whom will remain after a few weeks (okay, perhaps a bit too bleak).
Optimistically, this is the month of the new challenges, specifically, Dry January.
Aside from the obvious benefits like the reduction of a flushed complexion and no debilitating hangovers, we talked to Erika Blazeviciute Doyle, Founder of Drink Dry in Dubai, to get a more in depth analysis of why 31 days devoid of alcohol can be even more beneficial than you think.
Physical
Sleep Patterns Many people will include some red wine in their night cap due to it being a depressant, but although it can help you fall asleep quicker, the quality of sleep is greatly reduced. Abstaining allows our bodies to regain control of its natural sleep patterns, resulting in increased energy levels and increased physical capabilities.
Weight Loss We all get a free pass to gain a few pounds during the holidays, but if you keep the party going well into January, that little pouch around your midsection will quickly turn into a gut, and then the spiral of negativity will only get worse. Breaking from a tipple or two will reduce sugar cravings, thereby reducing caloric intake without needing to reduce the amount of food you actually consume.
Improved Skin As mentioned, this is arguably the most obvious benefit. Our skin fully regenerates itself within 30 days, so severing our ties with booze gives the body a chance to completely regenerate into a new, toxin-free skin.
Mental
Mental Clarity Honestly, have you ever really generated some truly great work after a late night? Probably not. And giving up alcohol completely will greatly improve your focus and state of mind, uncluttering the fogged vessels of your creativity.
Depression Just read any book by Charles Bukowski or Ernest Hemingway. The bottle is embedded into every sentence, and when removing the romanticised lore of the tortured artist, one can feel the unshakeable grip alcohol had on these men. And just Google those mentioned writers, and take one look at them. Let’s be honest, they look like crap. Skip it the liquor a month, and watch the internal and external butterflies blossom.
And for any more convincing insight, here’s Mark Manson, famed author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*** talking about additional benefits of quitting completely.
