Doing dry January? Why not?

At the beginning of each new year, we wonder how it will go.  Doing Dry January is one resolution with lasting benefits. It’s a great way to start the year. Why not give this healthy choice a chance?

The big question?

How can life be better?

Although the pandemic and lockdowns is something of a memory now, if we think back to 2020 we can reflect on the may ways our lives has changed since then. And also our priorities.

For many of us, that time changed our focus on health, and the health of people close to us. We learned there’s a lot of things in our lives we can’t take for granted. And our health is at the top of that list.

So what can we do to stay healthy, or even improve our general health?

What role does alcohol play in our life?

It’s worth taking a few moments to honestly review our drinking habits: Where we drink, when, how much, and who with. We should consider, too, whether our habits have changed over the past year, as we’ve spent more time at home, possibly alone.

Dry January is the UK’s one-month alcohol-free challenge.

Three reasons to commit to Dry January:

#1 Get your fun back.

#2 Get your energy back.

#3 Get your calm back.

Find out more from the Dry January website.

It’s worth thinking about doing a Dry January

Dry January is a campaign run by Alcohol Concern. It offers people a simple opportunity: “A chance to ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline, and save some serious £££ by giving up alcohol for 31 days.”

Dry January means going alcohol-free for the month of January, and that can bring huge, obvious benefits.

Research published in the British Medical Journal outlines the benefits of even short-term abstinence.

Moreover, people who take part in Dry January are more likely to establish healthier drinking patterns that have a long-term impact. As alcohol is linked to a range of health conditions, such as liver disease, depression and cancer, January is a great time to realise the benefits of taking a break from alcohol.

How our teeth can benefit from a dry January

Drinking is not good for our health in general, but can also be bad for our teeth:

• Alcohol can cause a dry mouth, reducing anti-bacterial saliva which protects our teeth and gums
• The sugar and acid content of alcohol weakens the enamel protecting our teeth
• It can cause a condition called white tongue
• Studies link drinking to an increased risk of mouth cancer
• Often drinkers have bad breath
• Gum disease can lead to tooth loss
• Falls or fights under the influence of alcohol can cause broken or knocked out teeth

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