If you recently attended your work’s Christmas party, took full advantage of the open bar and told that colleague what you really think of them - maybe you’ve decided to give Dry January a go this year!
We’ve all been there - overindulged at Christmas, party after party, prosecco after prosecco and hangover after hangover. Although the festive season can be great fun, it can also leave us feeling burnt out and ready for a month of pure hibernation.
Dry January can be really beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing, but many of us fall at the halfway hurdle. We’ve pulled together our top tips for getting through the full month of January sober.
You’ve got this.
Don’t skip the social occasions
Just because you’re now choosing Volvic over vodka, doesn’t mean you need to bolt the doors and shut the curtains.
When we really think about it, the biggest joy we get when drinking comes from the social interaction associated with it. Without the alcohol, we’re still getting to enjoy being around our friends and family, but this time we get to actually remember the conversations!
Skipping social occasions only means you’re associating socialising with having a drink in hand.
Try to break the pattern by continuing with your normal socialisation, but swapping the ‘abv’ for a 0%.
Indulge in other feel-good activities
Now that you’re experiencing more hangover-free days, make the most of your improved energy by indulging in other experiences and activities that make you feel good.
Now’s the time to do the things you love, to treat yourself and to try new things!
You may look into starting a sport, joining a gym class or picking up a brand new hobby, but if you’re looking to slow down and do less ‘doing’, treating yourself to a self-care night once a week can be a great way to reconnect with yourself and take the time to be present.
We like to have an indulgent bath or shower once a week. By that, we mean spending the time to take care of our skin, be with our thoughts and enjoy doing nothing.
Our bathing products are self-love in a box. Explore our custom and premade boxes here.
Make the most of being hangover-free
You know those hangover mornings, your head is pounding, there’s not enough water in the world to quench your thirst and the cravings for greasy, carby food is overwhelming?
Without that, the world is your oyster. Well, Sundays at least.
Do the things you’re never able to do when you’re suffering from a case of alcohol-flu. Get up early and meet a friend for breakfast, take your dog on a morning walk, go for a run or head on a day out shopping, to the cinema or to a new town or city to explore.
Take the day back.
Embrace community
It can feel lonely when you’re the only one not drinking. Try and encourage a friend or family member to do Dry January with you - that way, you can hold each other accountable and find joy in being sober with a friend by your side.
To incentivise an alcohol-free buddy, suggest treating yourselves with the money you would’ve spent on a night out at each weekly milestone. We’ve listed some weekly treat ideas below:
Week 1: Going out for a nice dinner
Week 2: A shopping trip
Week 3: Getting a cosmetic treatment: hair or nails
Week 4: A spa day or spa treatment
Week 5: A trip to the theatre
–
If you’re taking part in Dry January, follow our trusty guide to keep you motivated on track. We’d love to hear about your journey on our socials @SentoBathing ☕️💭
