Dry January. We’ve all heard about it, but few of us do it or at least stick to it. Going a whole month without alcohol might seem excessive, even if you rarely overindulge in drinking. But with the excesses of Christmas socials, parties, and get-togethers now behind us, taking part in Dry January can have plenty of health benefits while giving our bodies a well-earned break – and detox.

Dry January benefits

Whether Dry January is part of your overall new year's resolutions (however short-lived) or not, it’s certainly as good a time as any to get back on the healthy wagon. And, together with a healthier diet and regular exercise, giving yourself a month-long break from alcohol can bring healthy Dry January benefits, including:

Improved sleep

Alcohol messes with your sleep patterns and can give you plenty of disruption during the night, even after feeling tired and falling asleep easily. By removing alcohol from your regular diet, you’ll feel more rested while benefiting from an improved sleep pattern and better sleep quality.

Increased energy

Alcohol is a depressant that can leave you feeling tired, sluggish, and unmotivated. A key benefit to Dry January is that by knocking alcohol on the head for 30 days, you’ll feel naturally reinvigorated with a surge of newfound energy.

Potential weight loss

Most alcoholic drinks are full of sugar and hollow calories that can easily add to weight gain. Depending on your diet and starting weight, you could see the pounds fall off much quicker by cutting out the drink – even for a month – together with a healthier diet.

Healthier skin

Alcohol is a diuretic, so you pee more quickly than just drinking water, meaning your body lacks hydration. It also contains toxins that can speed up the skin’s ageing process. All of which can lead to dry, dull-looking skin. 30 days alcohol-free could give you healthier-looking skin.

Better mental health

If you suffer from anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, alcohol can make things worse. Giving up the drink for Dry January can allow you to take a break and see whether you’re more clear-headed and better equipped to cope with your issues.

Better digestion

Whichever alcoholic drink you prefer, it can irritate your stomach lining, causing digestive issues, stomach pains, and nausea. After abstaining from drinking for a week or two, you‘ll give your body time to heal, and you’ll likely notice a difference for the better.

Stronger immune system

Your immune system is a robust thing that can take a lot, but all that Christmas binge drinking can cause adverse effects, making it less effective when there’s plenty of cold and flu hanging around. Dry January can be an excellent time to give it a boost.

Stay hydrated with Thirsty Work

Alongside all these seven benefits of a Dry January, the key to making it even more successful is to increase your daily water intake to help you stay healthy and hydrated. If you’re back at work, using your office bottled water cooler or mains fed water cooler is an easy and effective way to boost your water intake, especially if you use a reusable water bottle to keep on your desk.

But a water cooler can also be a great addition to your home, especially if you live in a hard water area with tap water that doesn't taste so great. To start your no-obligation, 10-day free trial of any water cooler installed in your home, call us today on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com and see the difference it can make to your Dry January – and beyond