5 Drinks to Get You Through Dry January

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a product or service and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.  Also, this information doesn’t replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional. For more information, please read my disclosures.

processed_2021-01-05-123150509.jpgThe New Year is the season for tons of diet trends and fads to rear their ugly heads. But there is one bandwagon that I do think is a good idea to jump on – Dry January.

Many people use the month of January to jumpstart their health and fitness goals to meet New Year’s resolutions, so the first month of the year is an ideal time to give up a habit that might not be so great for you.

If you’re like me, and you’re dealing with a uterus or hormone-related condition such as fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, or painful periods, giving up alcohol is a good idea. Unfortunately, alcohol can make symptoms worse by putting stress on the liver and causing adrenal fatigue.

That’s why I decide to give up alcohol completely for at least the full first 31 days for a little reset.

Generally, I notice that even after having just one drink I tend to wake up a little foggy the next day. So abstaining is certainly helpful for my overall productivity and focus.

Whether or not total abstinence from alcohol is right for you is a personal choice. I think it’s a good idea to take a break if you drink regularly and assess how you’re feeling once you remove it. You’ll get to reassess your limits and decide if you should probably set new boundaries around imbibing.

I do want to point out that it’s NOT a good idea to go cold turkey off alcohol if you are alcohol dependent. If this is the case, you should consult your doctor before completely removing alcohol.

There are many benefits linked to abstaining from alcohol:

  • You get a chance to evaluate your relationship with alcohol

  • You get a chance to evaluate alcohol’s impact on how you feel physically and emotionally

  • Improved sleep quality

  • Boost in immune system healthy

  • Possible weight loss

  • Increase in energy

Each person’s experience will be different, so keeping a journal or notes about your experience can help you figure out what’s going on with your body. Also, it’s important to remember that one month without alcohol isn’t enough to have a complete health overhaul, especially if you plan to go back to moderate to binge drinking after your dry January is over.

These 5 drinks can replace your usual alcoholic drink:

processed_2021-01-04-042011902.jpg

  1. 1. Tea – A cup of sleep-promoting tea can be a perfect addition to your wind-down routine. I’ll be trying the Medical Medium’s Lemon Balm Wild Blueberry Tea Recipe this month. Some of my other great nighttime tea options are peppermint, chamomile, and lavender.

  2. Hot Chocolate – There is nothing like a hot cup of chocolate on a cold winter day. You can step up your hot cocoa game with my Healthy Hot Chocolate recipe for a hormone balancing boost that includes magnesium for better sleep.

  3. Kombucha – Technically, kombucha does have a small amount of alcohol. In my opinion, the extremely small amount of alcohol is outweighed by its benefits. But if you want to be 100% alcohol-free you may want to skip this option. Not only does this tasty beverage have a fizzy kick, but it’s also probiotics that can help improve gut health and mood.

  4. Zero-Proof Cocktails – While researching dry January, I came across a few companies that make alcohol-free cocktails. My only gripe about some of them is the sugar content. I prefer to make my usual cocktail faves because I use a lot less sugar when I make them myself. Pinterest also has some great recipes for alcohol-free cocktails.

  5. Fresh Pressed Juice – Now’s a great time to dust off your juicer and experiment a little. Green apple with a little mint and lime makes for a great nighttime elixir.

Follow me on IG this month as I share some of the drinks I’m making as well as more of the benefits of going alcohol-free.

Similar Posts