As we launch into a new year, many people are taking part in “Dry January.” Dry January means that for the full 31 days of January, they choose to not drink any alcohol of any kind.

Choosing to eliminate alcohol for a whole month may seem like an extreme step, but many people feel it’s a powerful way to take care of their health and wellbeing.

While Wally’s is a haven for some of the best wine and spirits available, we also understand and support those who choose moderation when it comes to drinking.

Whether you’re having a fully sober January or just aiming to cut back on your number of alcoholic drinks, taking a month to go easy on booze can be a great way to start the year.

For some people, alcohol consumption can sneak up on you and suddenly you’re drinking more than you realize. If you’re concerned about your intake, this can be a great opportunity to take a step back and focus on your health.

Even a seasoned wine expert can appreciate the value of taking a short break to reset your health. Your cellar will still be full at the end of the month, and you can even treat yourself to special bottles to enjoy as soon as February comes!

No matter what, if you want to boost your overall health, Dry January can be a great way to reset and start the year on a high note.

Wondering why exactly people choose Dry January and how it can help you out? Read on for some of the benefits of going sober for a month, what to expect, plus helpful tips for success and great non-alcoholic drinks to try out.

What Are the Benefits of Dry January?

The goal of having a Dry January is to feel better after abstaining from alcohol for the entire month. Feeling better can mean benefits in mental, emotional, and physical health.

According to the research, “even a brief break from alcohol for moderate to heavy drinkers can produce immediate health benefits.” Those benefits can include weight loss, better sleep, improved mood, more energy, and reduction in liver fat and blood sugar — all important factors towards better overall health.

Plus, as the official Dry January site points out, a month without alcohol can lower blood pressure, reduce diabetes risk, lower cholesterol, and reduce cancer-related proteins in the blood. And furthermore, for people with ongoing conditions seeking medical treatment, the benefits of Dry January are numerous.

Beyond your health, after going a whole month without alcohol, you’ll feel the emotional benefits of mastering your willpower and feeling more confident about how you consume alcohol. Studies also show that after completing Dry January, participants kept up their reduced levels of drinking for six months afterwards.

What to Expect at the End of Your Dry January

After spending one month of cutting out alcohol, your body will thank you. But even during the first few weeks, you may start noticing some beneficial changes in your energy and health.

After one week of Dry January, you can look forward to having more energy and concentration levels. This is thanks in part to getting better sleep and feeling more rested in the morning.

After two weeks of Dry January, you can expect to experience clearer thinking and even higher energy levels, which some people call “fog lifting.” Some participants also notice less acid reflux or heartburn, in addition to feeling more hydrated and aware of your water intake.

After three weeks of Dry January, many people start to notice weight loss, particularly if your Dry January is paired with regular exercise. Since some servings of alcohol can contain up to 200 calories, cutting out these drinks can help reduce your overall intake and result in shedding pounds. Some people also find that their memory and focus improve around this point of a dry month.

After your final week of Dry January, you’ll be reducing your risk of serious health issues, such as strokes, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. In fact, research shows that “just four weeks without a drink can be enough to start lowering both blood pressure and heart rate.”

Plus, after four weeks your liver will be functioning on a healthier level and you’ll see less bloating and digestive issues. On top of that, your immune system will be stronger and you’ll fight off colds faster.

And the icing on top: you may notice that your skin is starting to look better than usual, since your body is more hydrated than before.

Tips For Dry January Success

Ok, so the benefits of an alcohol-free month are clear. But how do you manage to avoid alcohol for a whole month? It can be tough, especially when it’s ingrained in your routines, but we have some tips to help you out.

First, it can be helpful to calculate how many drinks you normally have in a week and when you have them. This will help you mindfully track the moments where you’re used to having a drink in hand — and when to be prepared to counteract that urge.

Next, get comfortable saying “no” when offered a drink. Plan out the response you’ll give if someone offers you a drink and practice saying it with confidence. And remember that it’s completely ok to simply say no if you don’t want a drink.

A great way to survive Dry January is by trading your normal alcoholic drinks with delicious, non-alcohol options. If you normally have a cocktail after work, check out mocktail recipes to try instead. If you have a glass of wine with dinner, look into some teas or sparkling beverages you can reach for instead. The key is to always have a non-alcoholic substitute on hand for every occasion.

And if you really want to enjoy the taste of your favorite drink, there are lots of alcohol-free wines, beers, ciders, and spirits available in stores nowadays. Stock up ahead of time and have them ready to pull out when the craving comes.

Finally, it can be difficult to have a successful Dry January if you look at it as depriving yourself. Instead, try to reframe it as making space for other positive things in your life, as one writer explained.

Perhaps, instead of going out to a bar, think about using that time to master a new skill. Or instead of spending money on alcohol, stock up on high-quality market items at Wally’s and cook a fantastic gourmet meal. Or instead of ordering a drink at dinner, you can treat yourself to an appetizer or dessert you’ve been eyeing.

The possibilities are endless if you come at it from the right perspective.

Finding Non-Alcoholic Drink Alternatives

The good news is that nowadays there are non-alcoholic options aplenty. Whereas a decade ago you might be stuck with club soda or plain old juice, today more brands and bars are offering delicious options without the alcohol.

When you come into Wally’s, you have two incredible and refreshing mocktails to choose from. The Kicks Like a Mule is a spicy blend of lime, house made ginger beer, agave, and soda water, reminiscent of a Moscow Mule but without the vodka.

You can also enjoy Wally’s Pineapple Nojito, with all the tropical flavors of a mojito minus the rum. Our version has a delicious blend of lime, pineapple, agave, mint, and soda water.

For the home mixologists, there are numerous mocktail recipes to try on your own. For example, for a unique fruity drink, you can make your own Tamarind Pineapple Quencher, with fresh pineapple, coconut water, and tamarind syrup.

Or, mix up an easy Sparkling Tropical Mock-tail with a combination of pineapple juice, mango juice, lime juice, and ginger beer.

You could even mimic a whiskey sour by making a Mock Apple-Cider Sour, with lemon juice, apple cider, and flavored seltzer.

And beyond that, there are loads of non-alcoholic wine and beer options available at most stores. At Wally’s, you can get your hands on one of our favorite brands: Wild Idol Non Alcohol Sparkling White Wine ($40) or Wild Idol Non Alcohol Sparkling Rose ($40).

Wild Idol is a bubbly and delicious beverage made from grapes by winemakers, and it’s naturally alcohol-free. So, you can still celebrate with a glass of bubbly that tastes great, without cheating on Dry January.