It’s Not Too Late to Give Dry January a Try!

 

Last week, we shared the recent U.S. Surgeon General's advisory stating alcohol is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the nation after tobacco and obesity that was issued on January 3, 2025. News of this link between alcohol and cancer brings up an important health issue. So, why not give the popular trend called Dry January a try - even if for just a couple of days - to give your body a chance to reset, improve your mental clarity, and establish healthier habits.

Dry January is a time when people take a break from drinking alcohol. There are many reasons to take advantage of this time to examine your relationship with alcohol - it may be part of a New Year's resolution to incorporate healthy behaviors into your routine or perhaps a way to find alternatives for relaxing, socializing, or coping with stress. Monitor how this change impacts your quality of life.

Whatever the reason you may want to try Dry January, here are some tips to help keep you on track:

*Think about why you choose to drink - is it to have fun, or deal with stress and anxiety? Try alternative ways to accomplish these objectives such as playing games at a party, meeting friends for a hike, taking a walk, or trying yoga.

*Let friends and family know that you plan to participate in Dry January. Ask them to join you and support each other throughout the month.

*Make sure alternative alcohol-free beverages are available at gatherings you plan to attend. Other than "mocktails", chilled bottled water, sparkling cider/grape juice are also good choices.

*Notice how you feel. Are you sleeping better? Do you have more energy? Make note of benefits to help you keep the momentum going. Remember...if you feel better when you're not drinking or when you decrease your drinking, then your body is telling you something.

*Our friends at LAL Today have shared some locations to find alcohol-free mocktails: 

https://laltoday.6amcity.com/guide-mocktails-lakeland?utm_term=laltoday&utm_campaign=weekend-newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=laltoday&utm_content=laltoday    

For information on how to recognize drinking patterns, acknowledge signs of a problem, or find tools to help make a change, visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAAA supports and conducts research on the impact of alcohol use on human health and well-being: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/