Ah, Dry January. An entire month of no booze, normally shrouded in a hint of smugness by those who make it through all 31 days of no beer, wine, or alcohol of any kind.
According to alcoholchange.uk, embarking on Dry Jan, as above, quite literally translates to going alcohol-free for the month of January. Wondering why you’d do it? Well, there are a whole load of reasons. Perhaps you over-indulged over the Christmas period, or are a sucker for a challenge. Maybe one of your New Year’s resolutions was to focus on your health more, or to embrace self-care.
Whatever your reasoning, there’s no denying that giving up booze can be great for your body – but is now, mid-pandemic and with a third lockdown looming, really the best time to be putting even more pressure on yourself and your mind?
We’ve chatted to two doctors to discuss the benefits of giving up the booze for the month and explain a run-down of what happens to your body when you cut it out altogether, plus included their advice on why this year may not be the best year to try Dry Jan.
What are the benefits of giving up alcohol?
There are plenty, spanning both physical and mental. As per the Alcohol Change site, 70% who ditch the booze sleep better, 86% save money, and 65% notice generally improved health. Not to mention research by the Royal Free Hospital published in the BMJ Journal which found a month off the sauce can reduce diabetes risk, and lower cholesterol.
According to doctor Alka Patel, founder of the Lifestyle First method, drinking less has even more health benefits than that. “A BMJ study found that those who stopped drinking alcohol for one month had less insulin resistance, lower blood pressure, and lower cancer-related growth factors,” she explains. “Liver function also improves and fat in the liver is reduced.”
Bupa UK Medical Director doctor Arun Thiyagarajan agrees. “An alcohol-free month has many benefits, both physically and mentally. It is likely that you’ll feel well-rested as you’ll sleep better, and you may lose weight,” he expands.
Why may Dry January 2021 not be the best idea?
It’s undoubtedly a positive – so how could doctors possibly think it’s not a good idea?
2020 saw life as you know it change, thanks to COVID-19. With cases rapidly rising and the UK currently heading into a third lockdown, prioritising the small things that bring you joy, whether that’s chocolate, wine, or movie marathons on the sofa is important, according to doctor Patel.
To reinforce the point: we are facing a period of immense stress, so it may be worth taking check of your mental health and assessing whether further pushing yourself is right for you right now.
“Denial can feel like deprivation,” she shares. “Deprivation stimulates our stress response which, in itself, then creates additional unwanted effects, such as high blood pressure and low mood,” the doctor expands.
She goes on to explain that feelings of deprivation can stimulate your reward system to seek out even more of what gives us pleasure, making cutting things out even more difficult physiologically, she explains. “This then further adds the emotional weight of frustration and guilt, which is why cutting out can sometimes be counter-productive, especially if done abruptly during times like Dry January.”
Her advice? “Cut back slowly. For most, cutting back will be a more effective strategy than cutting out. It’s more sustainable and focuses on the long term, which is more important than the short term,” she concludes.
Of course, what you choose to do is totally up to you, and dependent on the individual. Many may see the month spent largely at home as the perfect opportunity to say bye, bye, to booze, and reap the benefits that come with giving it up altogether for 31 days, too. But for others, the mental pressure that this will pose may be too much right now, and it’s important to be mindful of that, says doctor Patel.
So, how much should I be drinking a week if I don’t do Dry Jan?
Question: do you know how much you’re meant to drink a week? If not, it’s time to clue up.
UK governmental guidelines from the chief medical officer state that you should drink no more than 14 units per week, spread evenly over three days or more. That’s the equivalent of:
- 1o glasses of wine a week (low strength)
- 6 pints of beer a week (average strength)
Doctor Patel also points out here that the World Health Organisation has recently listed alcohol as a carcinogen, suggesting that there are no safe levels of consumption. “Make sure you’re aware of the facts so that you can make an informed choice,” she advises.
Most importantly, try and make sure you drink in moderation, have alcohol-free days, and maintain a relationship with alcohol that doesn’t affect your mental or physical health in any way, says doctor Thiyagarajan.
“If you are struggling with alcohol, there is always support out there,” he shares. Do reach out to your doctor: they’ll be able to support you.
The post Here's why Dry Jan may not be the best idea this year appeared first on Marie Claire.
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