Lasting Habits from Dry January: What We Learned and How to Keep the Benefits

By Louise Avery

Whether you’ve completed Dry January or even "Damp" January, congratulations - both are incredibly beneficial, and hopefully, some valuable insights have surfaced for you.

What We Enjoyed About Dry January: Surprising Benefits We Didn’t Expect:

I can’t speak for anyone else, but this is what I have enjoyed this month and what I hope to retain indefinitely:

1. Wonderful Sleep: This is partially due to the Christmas busyness being over and allowing myself to step back. But with the help of magnesium (for sleep), berberine (for blood sugar), a good book, and a lack of alcohol, I’ve entered a realm of sleeping 7–8 hours without that dreaded 3 a.m. wakeup.

2. Better Eating Habits: I still really value that 6–7 p.m. wind-down time. I’ve started putting on a beloved podcast (currently The Rest is Politics), grabbing a non-alcoholic drink, and really taking the time to enjoy the process of preparing food.

3. Early Morning Exercise: As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve fallen deeply in love with callisthenics. I love the easy tiredness of mildly aching muscles and the joy of experiencing true hunger as a result.

4. Daytime Socialising: It’s not that I don’t like to socialise in the evening, but I do love the energy of a morning coffee with friends or a spontaneous lunch date. This seems to happen more naturally in January due to the dark evenings and the fact that most people are in a state of light hibernation.

5. Clear Headspace: My brain fog is genuinely clearing. Decisions feel easier, and my anxiety is significantly reduced.

The Dry January Habits We’re Keeping: Simple Changes That Last Beyond the Month

The goal of Dry January doesn’t have to be giving up alcohol forever (although some might enjoy the feeling so much that they do). Instead, I recommend three "keepable" habits to carry into February and beyond:

• Why not be "Dry-ish"? Many people find success by staying dry Monday through Thursday as a standard rule, reserving alcohol only for intentional occasions.
• The First-Drink-Free Rule: To break the "I need a drink" craving, make your first round a soft drink. You would be surprised how often you no longer want alcohol after a refreshing non-alcoholic drink and some food.
• Mindful Selection: Instead of drinking whatever is in the cupboard, be intentional. Aim for quality over quantity. If you’re going to have a drink, make it something you truly enjoy and savour rather than a mindless habit.

Dry January isn't a "pass/fail" test; it’s an experiment in self-awareness. If you feel better, sleep more deeply, and have more energy, that’s a data point not to be ignored.