Dry January Tips: surviving a month of no alcohol
- aylinfastenau
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Each year, many people commit to having no alcohol for the entire month of January, often known as Dry January (or if you live in Belgium, it's Tournée Minérale conveniently on the shortest month of the year in February). Whether you do Le Défi de Janvier, IkPas or Abstinenz-Januar the concept remains the same as people commit to complete abstinence from alcohol for a whole month.
As a loyal follower of this challenge since 2018, over the years I've developed some tips and tricks to survive dry January. Here are a few:
Stock up on non-alcoholic drinks - Usually the first week is the most difficult, with cravings kicking in... To take off the edge, I crack open a non alcoholic beer or look into non-alcoholic cocktail recipes. My personal favorite is the Sparkling Hop Water which is both zero alcohol and zero calories - it tastes just like an IPA but without the beer. It's also perfect if you're also working on that beach body!
Don't pick fights with your partner - Without alcohol, it is easy to get a bit more irritated by others around me, especially my husband. The fact that he also does dry January also makes him equally irritable. So best thing to do is... try to be more understanding and avoid picking fights.
Recruit others to join you - having that emotional support helps staying on track. Also reduces FOMO
Keep yourself busy - If you're like me and having a hard time just chilling at home without a glass of wine, then keep yourself busy (and yes I still enjoy wine despite working at a brewery or distillery). Now is the opportune time to clean your oven or organize your bills.
Keep going even if you fuck up - Sometimes life happens and we slip. Maybe you're celebrating a birthday or are dealing with a stressful situation - somehow you get back on the sauce. It's ok... be forgiving of yourself and pick up the challenge right where you left off.
Celebrate your achievement - Once you complete the challenge, make sure to celebrate your achievement. I personally like to make myself a great cocktail on 1st February. Whatever floats your boat, make sure to treat yourself.
Good luck and stay hydrated!
Key words: dry january, non alcoholic beer, non alcoholic spirits, mocktails, cocktails, cocktail, drinking, non-alcoholic, zero alcohol, nolo, sober, alcohol-free, brussels, belgium, craft beer, Tournée Minérale