Who says January says… Dry January !

This challenge, launched in 2013 by Alcohol Change UK, began with Emily Robinson, an employee of the association. In January 2011, Robinson stopped drinking alcohol to prepare for his first half marathon, which was the following month. After a month without alcohol, she noticed she had lost weight, slept better and had more energy.

During its first edition, Dry January had 4,000 participants. The association launched the campaign with the main aim of raising funds for awareness about excessive alcohol consumption and its treatment. Today, there are several million registered people around the world and 35% of French people consider doing it ! (source BVA)

WHAT IS IT ?

Abstain from alcohol for a month for a real detox after the holidays, but not only that ! Dry January also makes us question our drinking habits. Why do we choose to drink alcohol in certain situations ? Are we necessarily obligated to follow the crowd if everyone chooses to have a glass of wine or an alcoholic cocktail during the aperitif?  The objective is to encourage us to drink less, to understand our consumption behavior and to see how good we feel at the end of the month.

THE BENEFITS OF AN ALCOHOL-FREE MONTH

In addition to being a great idea for taking a break after the (small) excesses of the holidays, Dry January has many benefits (source Birmingham Gastroenterology) :

Better quality of sleep : if alcohol tends to “make you sleep”, in too large quantities (more than two drinks), it worsens certain disorders, such as sleep apnea and reduces the quality of sleep by 39.2 %. Reducing alcohol consumption allows us to rest better, which improves our energy, concentration and productivity.

Better digestion and a detoxified liver : help reduce alcohol-induced inflammation.

Weight loss : Alcohol can cause weight gain by stopping the body from burning fat, contributing to the consumption of sugar and starchy foods, and causing cravings for high-fat foods. Alcohol is also high in calories ! A 5 cl glass of gin contains 132.5 kcal. By saving calories from alcoholic beverages, it's no surprise that many people lose weight during this time. Besides the calorie deficit, many people use their boost of energy to implement other New Year's resolutions, like exercising more !

Better hydration : Alcohol is one of the most dehydrating substances you can put into your body. By removing it from your daily life, you can start to see benefits like increased energy and better-looking skin. Additionally, when you're not having an alcoholic beverage, it's more likely that you'll choose a more hydrating drink instead.

Reduced risk of certain cancers, stroke and heart disease : Reduced alcohol consumption also reduces the risk of certain cancers such as breast cancer, stroke and heart disease.

Dry January also has positive effects throughout the year ! Indeed, it seems that participating in Dry January allows you to “reset” your relationship with alcohol, a step back that has an impact on the rest of the year. Not drinking for 31 days shows us that we don't need alcohol to have fun, relax, or socialize. “Six to eight months after Dry January, the proportion of participants with harmful alcohol consumption decreased by around 50%” (source: BBC). A study conducted by the University of Sussex found that six months after Dry January, more than 70% of people who started with the Try Dry app are still drinking healthier.

WHAT DO WE DRINK WITHOUT ALCOHOL THEN ?

Of course there are fruit juices, sodas, mocktails or just water. But what do you do when you're the first to finish your drink that you sipped too quickly or don't want the calories and too much sugar ? Dry January is also the time to show curiosity to find cool alternatives and discover the world of alcohol-free spirits ! At OSCO, we were keen to re-enchant the world of alcohol-free aperitifs, with original creations. You can treat yourself with L'Original and Le Rouge Ardent , while meeting your challenge !

And above all, don't forget, Dry January is about finding your own pace ! You have the right to do this challenge over 31 days, over a few weeks, only a few days, several times a year... The goal is to find your balance above all !