HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — It's that time of year, with resolutions to start the new year off right. One way some are doing so is by participating in something called Dry January, and we're not talking about the weather. Dry January is all about being sober throughout the entire month of January. Harvard Health explains that cutting out alcohol for a month can make a noticeable difference in your health.
Psychotherapist and Huntsville Psychotherapy Counseling Services Owner Monretta Vega believes there are some benefits to Dry January. According to Vega, Dry January "allows some people to focus more on their goals to just detox their body from some of the enjoyable foods that they may have had in some of their drinks and activities that they participated in. So allowing your body to just kind of have that reset in the beginning of the year can help you focus. It can keep you motivated towards your goals, but then it can also give you some clarity and it could just help that physical aspect of moving forward towards your physical health goals also."
Vega also shares another important thing to note for those participating in Dry January once February begins. "You decide that you want to continue in the same methods that you were before, if you were using substances, there could definitely be some cons to that because you have to keep in mind that you have been detoxed sober for an entire month. So, I would not encourage that you go right back into your festivities as normal."
Instead of overindulging, Vega recommends you try to practice moderation. She encourages, "If you do have an alcoholic beverage, have one alcoholic beverage and then water and alternate between your water and alcohol, but then also give yourself some time to really hydrate without continuing on."
This is also a good time for self-evaluation, Vega adds. "Determine if you are utilizing alcohol as a recreational activity, as a social activity, or are you using it as a coping skill? We definitely want to identify different, effective and positive coping skills and maybe even think about talking to a therapist or a life coach."