What's next? How to move forward after dry January

Introduction: What is dry January and what does it have to offer?

Dry January is an annual event in which people give up alcohol for the month of January. The event is designed to help people reset their relationship with alcohol and to improve their health.

There are many benefits to taking part in Dry January, including improved sleep, increased energy levels, improved skin health, reduced tolerance to alcohol, and weight loss. Additionally, Dry January can help people save money and reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer.

If you participated and gave up alcohol for Dry January (or even some of the month), I hope you found it useful and helpful. I've been participating myself for 8/9 years and love it. Our live IGNTD 7-Day sober experiment to kick off the month experienced record enrollment.

Benefits of Participating in Dry January: Health, Mental, Financial, and More

For those who made it through all of dry January, congratulations! You made it through a month without drinking any alcohol. For those who tried it and made it part of the way - good work! Hopefully you learned some important things about your drinking that have helped you understand yourself better. Now that dry January is over, you may be wondering what's next? How can you keep up the momentum and continue to enjoy the benefits of not drinking or drinking less? Here are some ideas:

1. Keep track of your progress. If you kept track of how much money you saved or how many days you went without drinking during dry January, continue to do so. This will help you see your progress and keep motivated.

2. Set new goals. Maybe your goal for dry January was to give up alcohol for the month. Now that it's over, set a new goal for February or the rest of the year. Maybe you want to drink only on weekends, or cut down to one drink per day.

3. Find new activities to replace drinking. During dry January, you probably found some new activities that you enjoyed without alcohol (e.g., going for walks, trying new recipes). Continue to do these things and find other activities that you enjoy sober. This will help reduce your cravings for alcohol.

4. Talk about your experience with others. Telling others about your experience with dry January can help them understand why you're choosing not to drink and may encourage them to try it themselves!

Moving Forward After Dry January: How to Bring the Positive Changes Into The Year Head

Moving forward after dry January can be difficult, but it is important to bring the positive changes you made during the month into the rest of the year. Here are some tips on how to do this:

1. Set realistic goals for yourself. If you didn't achieve everything you wanted to during dry January, don't beat yourself up about it (F-Shame right?). Set smaller, more achievable goals for the rest of the year.

2. Keep up with your healthy habits. Just because dry January is over doesn't mean you should stop being healthy. Try to keep up with the healthy habits you developed during the month, such as eating better and exercising more.

3. Be mindful of your alcohol consumption. One of the main goals of dry January is to reset your relationship with alcohol. Be mindful of your consumption throughout the year and try to stick to moderation.

4. Make time for yourself. During dry January, you probably had more time for yourself since you weren't drinking or going out as much. Try to make time for yourself every week, even if it's just a few minutes, to relax and rejuvenate.

5. Reach out for support. If you're struggling with staying sober or making other positive changes in your life, reach out for support from family and friends or seek professional help if needed.

Getting Started with a New Habits: Tips for Creating Lasting Change

When it comes to developing new habits, lasting change can be tough to achieve. But with a little planning and effort, it is possible to create new habits that will stick. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Start small. Don't try to make too many changes at once. Instead, focus on one habit that you want to develop.

2. Set realistic goals. Trying to accomplish too much too soon is likely to lead to failure. Set small, achievable goals that you can gradually build upon over time.

3. Create a plan of action. Once you have decided what habit you want to develop, come up with a plan for how you will go about doing it. This may include setting specific days or times for working on the habit, as well as coming up with a system for tracking your progress.

4. Be patient and persistent. Change takes time, so don't expect results overnight. Stick with it even when things get tough and remind yourself of your long-term goal.

5. Seek support from others. Share your plans with friends or family members and ask them for their encouragement and accountability. Our IGNTD community is BIG on supporting each other with community discussions, WhatApp groups and more ways to stay connected. It feel great so support others and it's wonderful to have others there for you when YOU need support.

Tips for Replacing Alcohol With Non Alcoholic Alternatives

If you're trying to cut back on alcohol or quit drinking altogether, you may be wondering what to replace it with. Non-alcoholic alternatives can help take the edge off, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are a few tips for replacing alcohol with non-alcoholic alternatives:

1. Find a non-alcoholic drink that you enjoy. This could be anything from soda to juice to seltzer water (I'm a big fan of Ginger Beer myself, which has no alcohol at all). There are also many non-alcoholic beer and wine options available now. Experiment until you find something that you like.

2. Make sure your non-alcoholic drink is always within reach. Keep the fridge fully stocked with it or keep a few cans or bottles at work so that you don't have to go out of your way to get it when you're feeling thirsty.

3. Sip slowly. When you're used to drinking alcohol, it can be easy to guzzle down a non-alcoholic beverage without really tasting it. But taking your time will help you appreciate the flavor more and may help stave off any cravings for alcohol.

4. Avoid trigger situations. If there are certain places or activities that make you want to drink, do your best to avoid them for now. This could mean avoiding going out to bars or skipping happy hour with coworkers. You don't have to completely give up your social life, but it's important to be aware of your triggers and steer clear of them if

Finding Supportive Friends and Communities to Keep You Going

If you're looking for supportive friends and communities to help you stick to your dry January goals, there are a few places you can look. Obviously, the IGNTD program offers you everything you need in one place. There are also online support groups, like the Dry January Facebook group, which has over 10,000 members. There are also in-person support groups, like SMART Recovery or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

The most important thing is to find a community that feels right for you. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, so it's important to find a group of people who understand what you're going through and can offer support and advice. If you're not sure where to start, reach out to your doctor or a counselor for guidance.

Creating New Social Habits

After a month of abstaining from alcohol, you may be feeling proud of yourself and your accomplishment. But giving up alcohol for just one month is only the beginning. If you want to maintain your sobriety, or at least get back to drinking habits that are more mindful, you are likely going to need to adjust your social habits so that they don't revolve around drinking as much. Here are a few tips:

1. Find new things to do with your free time. If you used to go out drinking with friends on the weekends, find other activities that you can do together, like going to the movies or exploring new restaurants.

2. Avoid places where you're likely tempted to drink a lot. If there's a bar that you always go to after work and get wasted, find a new route home or a place to meet with friends.

3. Drink non-alcoholic beverages when you're out socializing. Ordering a soda or water instead of an alcoholic beverage will help you stay sober and also save you money!

4. Talk about your sobriety with friends and family members. They can provide support and understanding when you're trying not to drink.

5. Seek professional help if you feel like you can't control your drinking on your own. There is no shame in admitting that you need help, and there are many resources available to those struggling with alcoholism.

Conclusion

Dry January can be a great way to reset your relationship with alcohol and rethink how you consume it in the future. While taking a break from alcohol has many benefits, it’s important not to forget about what comes next. Moving forward after dry January should involve developing healthy habits that can help you maintain your newfound sobriety or moderation. This could mean getting involved in supportive activities and communities, setting limits for yourself, talking to friends and family about bounding consumption or replacing high-calorie drinks with healthier alternatives. No matter what path you choose, remember that moderation is key when it comes to responsible drinking – cheers!

Yours, Dr. Adi