Dry January Helped Me Reduce My Chronic Inflammation—Here’s How

Since completing Dry January, I don’t drink as much as I used to.

Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

You may be setting new goals for yourself in 2024, and if you’re at least sober-curious, Dry January may pique your interest. Participating in Dry January means going through the first 31 days of the year alcohol-free—and, in my opinion, it’s definitely worth it.

Last year, I successfully participated in Dry January by cutting out alcohol for the entire month. It was a reflective start to my year as I continued to celebrate my birthday and other occasions without a drink in my hand, and I realized that I still had a fun time. Going out for the night didn’t cause a splitting headache and sluggishness the next morning, which was definitely a plus.

There were other parts of my physical health and wellbeing that were affected by my Dry January experience. When I drink, I notice inflammation flare ups in my skin and eyes. While this is normal for me as I have ocular rosacea, the inflammation on my face intensifies when I drink and has lasting effects days later. Not only did Dry January reduce my flare ups, but I also felt a positive difference in my skin throughout the year. I wasn’t breaking out as much, the redness on my cheeks lightened and my eyes became less puffy.

Related: Is Drinking Alcohol Bad for My Health?

Because of my success with Dry January and the amazing impact it was having on my body, I generally reduced my drink intake throughout the year. Sometimes I would consciously choose to have a glass of wine at a nice dinner and enjoy it, don’t get me wrong. But I found myself not ordering alcohol at an outing just because I could, not habitually cracking open a beer or cider on Friday nights and not yearning for my next drink. I noticed this mental improvement of not depending on alcohol to relax or have a good time in 2023 because of how I started my year, and I plan to begin 2024 in a similar way.

This year, I’m planning to do Damp January as a way to cut out alcohol without fully restricting myself. But I know that I won’t even need to think twice about my choices because Dry January last year completely changed my perspective on drinking. If you want to give Dry January a shot, this is your sign: I fully recommend it. It helped me stick to a healthier lifestyle and learn a lot about myself and my body.

If you’re up for the challenge but are unsure where to start, check out these mocktail recipes that will help you through the month with ease.

Related: Tom Holland on Going Alcohol-Free: "It's Honestly Been the Best Thing I've Ever Done"

Read the original article on Eating Well.