I’ve jumped on the band wagon, or should I just say, “the wagon.” I’ve joined the cult of “dry month”-er’s.
My fiancé is a semi-frequent passenger on the dry month wagon and this January, he, quite seriously, asked me to join him. My immediate response is always “eh,” but rather than give in to my knee jerk “nah,” I asked myself “why am I so opposed to this?” which begs the deeper, more ominous question, “could my reluctance stem from…. having a problem?”
In facing this, I accepted the challenge, and here I am, a few days into January, still totally dry.
What is it about going “dry” for a month, especially in January, that seems so attractive to people?
I understand the desire for a cleanse, especially at the start of a new year, but could this practice actually have very real benefits?
Aside from avoiding the hangovers, the answer seems to be a very sober “yes.”
Forbes claims that ditching alcohol for a month can lead to improved sleep, weight loss, lower blood pressure, and more energy.
Healthline suggests that quitting drinking, even if just for 30 days, can result in changes as significant as decreasing your risk of cancer and heart disease.
It’s almost a no-brainer, as it seems to be general knowledge that drinking, especially excessively, can have some serious physical effects, but what seems to pique my interest even more is how a 30-day break from the booze could positively affect the mind.
In my experience, hangovers sometimes come with a dose of anxiety. Thankfully, this is not just me, and if you have “hangxiety” too, it’s not just you either – it’s science.
American Addiction Centers shared that drinking causes elevated cortisol, making neurons more active, which could be perceived as anxiety. In addition, The Alcohol and Drug Foundation claims that hangovers reduce the brain’s GABA (lessening calm feelings) and increase glutamate (making us feel more anxious).
Dietitian Molly Kimball found through her challenge Alcohol Free for 40, that all participants experienced less inflammation, better sleep, reduced anxiety, and improved mood and energy levels.
With the lack of never-to-be-missed hangover’s, improvement of energy, sleep, weight loss, and mood, and reduction in the risk of anxiety, blood pressure, and even cancer and heart disease, it’s clear that taking a ride on the wagon for even as short as a month can have positive impacts on both the body and mind.
Overall, I believe it’s important to analyze our relationships to certain things, especially something as omnipresent as alcohol. Should you be hesitant to join your partner/friend/relative in a short, sober journey, it may be worth asking yourself “why,” pushing back on your go-to reaction, and leaning into the challenge.
Dry months are not only for people who believe they may have a problem. They’re for anyone and everyone who wishes to explore something new in the realm of wellness. Whether you want to kick off the new year with an alcohol-free cleanse for the body, or challenge your understanding of your relationship to alcohol, dry January is a great way to change up your norm and enjoy the mental and physical benefits of committing to it.
I’ve still got some time to go, but I’m already learning so much about myself and my relationship to alcohol, and with all the health benefits of skipping booze for a month, why not jump on the band wagon?
About the Author
Melissa Aguilera is a Cuban American writer originally from Miami, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University with a BA in both English and Anthropology with a concentration in Editing, Writing, and Media. Aguilera’s preferred genre is poetry, however, she has written op-ed and lifestyle articles for online publication, and also enjoys creative nonfiction essays. Her writing tends to explore themes concerning identity, mental health, love, and feminism. She currently works as a writer and project manager based in Portland, Oregon, where she lives with her fiance’ and dog.
