Reflecting on Dry January & Transitioning into 2021
Did you participate in Dry January this year? For many, Dry January was an opportunity to start the year off fresh and hangover free after a tumultuous 2020. At Grüvi, we spent the month learning from our community on why they participated, and what benefits were felt the most. Dry January gave us time to evaluate and learn from our own drinking patterns, and helped us to see how we can start to make better choices.
We wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on this year’s Dry January, as well as look at the best ways to transition into the rest of the year (alcohol free, or not). Read on to see how your experience compared to others, and how you can use what you learned to have a happy and healthy 2021.
Survey Results
We asked our Grüvi community how their Dry January went, and here’s what they answered! See how you compare to others that participated:
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As you can see, many people tried Dry January for the very first time this year, which makes it seem that a lot of us felt it necessary to take a break from alcohol. We can also see the various reasons that led to joining- what led you to participate this year?
These survey results also showcase the perceived benefits of going dry. 75 percent of you felt your mental health improved, and another 73 percent said their physical health improved. Other benefits included better sleep and increased productivity. What benefits did you feel?
All in all, this survey shows how 31 days without alcohol can truly impact your body and mind. We invite you to reflect on your own journey this last month and what you learned.
Personal Reflections
We wanted to share some of our favorite insights and thoughts on Dry January from you- our Grüvi community.
“Spending any extended period of time sober seems to be truly eye-opening. The hard part is allowing yourself that time to experience it.”
“I am planning on continuing the dry lifestyle. Just seeing my overall health and mental well-being improvements from just one month makes me curious to see what two months, or three..or a year will do. Sometimes I miss a drink, but it’s a fleeting thought. I’m definitely grateful that Grüvi has given me an option that compliments my new lifestyle”
“I did dry January in solidarity with my husband who has struggled with alcohol abuse. I thought I was simply helping him but I found that I really benefited from sobriety as well. While I’m not sure if either of us will be sober for life, it’s been really encouraging to see that we can live sober”
“I found it so easy to stick to once I felt the benefits. I’m continuing on and don’t know if I’ll ever go back to drinking alcohol.”
Tips for 2021
Learning from Dry January can help you transition into the rest of 2021 in a more mindful way. Depending on what benefits you saw or what you personally learned, a month off of alcohol should at least help you evaluate your ongoing relationship with alcohol. Here are a few tips to consider:
1. Extend Your Month
We’ve heard from tons of folks that are planning on extending their Dry January into February. Not only is this a great way to maintain your “dry streak”, but it also gives you more time to notice any benefits.
If you were a heavier drinker, it may take longer to see any differences in sleep, mental health or productivity. By staying sober longer, you’re giving your body more time to recover and reap the benefits of an AF life.
2. Be Mindful
If you didn’t plan to stay dry after January no need to overthink your drinking- rather, just be more mindful of your lifestyle. Staying mindful while drinking could easily be an oxymoron, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.
When you reach for that second or third drink, ask yourself if you need it. By cutting down on drinking, you’re saving yourself from hangovers and extra calories. Learning to stay mindful will also help you decide when you do (and don’t) want to drink.
3. Keep Alternatives Around
Was it easier to stay dry if you had non alcoholic alternatives? Most of you said YES on our survey, and we agree. But even if you are drinking, be sure to keep some AF alternatives in your fridge. While you might go for a beer, you might be surprised at how often you go for the alcohol free version.
Sometimes, all we need is a cold & refreshing beverage.
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