Dry January is a campaign in which participants choose to abstain from alcohol consumption through the month of January. The first official Dry January was held by Alcohol Change UK in 2013 and began to gain traction in the United States soon after.
There are many reasons why an adult over the age of 21 may choose not to drink, including health concerns, religious reasons, or they simply don't like the taste. In an article written by Yola Robert for Forbes, people listed the following as reasons they participate in Dry January:
- Better mental health
- Better physical health
- Better social perception
- Improve insulin resistance
- Weight
- Cancer-related growth factors
Post pandemic, many people have begun to take part in Dry January, seeking to scale back their drinking habits and focus on their mental and physical health. Many individuals associate drinking alcohol as a social activity and a way to spend time with friends, however, spending time with friends doesn't have to mean "grabbing a drink". Read below to see our recommendations for fun ways to engage with your environment and community that doesn't center drinking as the reason to gather.
- Visit the restaurants in your community with a non-alcoholic menu
- Have a mocktail party with friends where each person makes a signature mocktail for the group (you could get creative and even add a theme!)
- Explore your local parks and hiking trails
- Join a yoga or other exercise group at your local community center
- Order dessert instead of a cocktail! (Why have a Chocolate Martini when you can have a Chocolate Torte?)
- Visit a neighboring town or city you haven't been to before and explore downtown
- Stroll through art museums or local galleries with friends
- Pick up that hobby you've been meaning to try and invite a friend to try it with you
- Have a fancy potluck dinner with recipes you haven't heard of before
- Find non-alcoholic alternatives of your favorites (Stella, Heineken Zero, etc.)
We want to see how you take on the Dry January Challenge this month, tag us on Instagram or Facebook @EnvisionPartnerships and show us how you and your friends are "staying dry". We will be sharing your posts through the month of January!
