January is here, and with it, the tradition of New Year’s resolutions and resetting behaviors after the indulgences of the holidays. For those who drink alcohol, abstaining from drinking for the entire month as part of a challenge known as Dry January has steadily increased in popularity over the past few years—and with good reason. Taking a month off from alcohol is great for your body and mind, with participants in Dry January citing better sleep, more energy, weight loss, financial savings and even healthier skin and hair as benefits.
In 2023, an estimated 40% of current drinkers plan to participate In Dry January, with approximately half expected to make it all the way through the month. If you want to reduce your drinking or go totally alcohol-free in January, we’ve compiled a few tips on how to do so as successfully and beneficially as possible.
1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SUPPORT
Participating in a challenge like Dry January is much more fun—and much more likely to be successful—if you do it with others. Grab just one friend or rally your entire group, and you’ll not only have other people to hold you accountable, you’ll also have company for booze-free activities. So don’t hide your plans from others—share your interest in Dry January and you’ll likely find others who are interested in discovering its benefits, too.
2. FIND FUN ALTERNATIVES TO ALCOHOL
Dry January is most challenging when you’re in situations where you would normally drink, so it’s important to have a plan for what you’re going to imbibe instead. The range of available alcohol-free beer, wine and spirits has greatly expanded in the past few years, so you have tons of great options if club soda doesn’t cut it for you.
If you still want to get a buzz without booze, a cannabis beverage like Verist THC-infused seltzer is a fantastic option. Made with 3.5 mg of family farm-grown hemp-derived THC, our seltzer offers a pleasingly elevated sensation without making you feel out of control. And with zero calories, sugar, gluten or carbs, you’ll still enjoy all the health benefits of being alcohol free—including no hangover the next day. Use our retail locator to find it at a store near you.
3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BASIC NEEDS
With alcohol removed from the equation, Dry January is a great time to get back to healthier habits all around. To augment the benefits of being booze-free, you may consider starting a new workout routine, learning to cook some new meals at home or putting yourself to bed a little earlier each night. You’ll automatically enjoy higher quality sleep when you haven’t been drinking, but if you still have trouble falling or staying asleep, CBD can help. Try taking one of our Good Night CBD gummies with melatonin as part of your nighttime routine, or simply rub some of our Good Night body butter into your hands or feet to promote softer skin in addition to deeper slumber.
4. GO EASY ON YOURSELF
Taking on the challenge of Dry January (or even just cutting back drinking) doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you slip up and have a drink, give yourself some grace and try again the next day. Remind yourself why you started and what your long-term goals are, and you’ll be back on track in no time. If you’re being impacted by anxiety and mood swings, try mitigating those feelings naturally by introducing a natural mood stabilizer like our family farm-grown CBD oil into your routine. If you’re really struggling, reach out to friends, family or your doctor for help, or leverage online resources for problematic alcohol use. It takes courage to make a change, and you don’t have to do this alone.
We’re always here for conversations about healthier living, so don’t hesitate to reach out to info@shopverist.com with any questions or thoughts you may have. Happy new year!