Dry January: What It Is and Why To Do It

Dry January is a public health initiative encouraging participants to remove alcohol from their diets for the month of January. It’s 31 days geared toward those who feel they might be drinking too much and those who just want to start the new year on a sober foot.  

So…why should you participate? Consider the following reasons:

January is the Perfect Month to Go Dry

January is the ideal month to go dry. To start, over-imbibing during the holiday season often leaves people craving a chance to pause partying and give their bodies a rest; overspending during the holidays might lead them to want to give their wallets a rest, too. Of course, January is also when people are most likely to stick to their New Year’s resolutions (such as weight loss, which cutting out alcohol can compound). 

January is also in the middle of peak flu season, making it an excellent time to put down the beer and keep a cork in the wine. This is because alcohol can disturb sleep and make it harder to recover from seasonal ailments. Alcohol is also known to interact with many cold and flu medications. 

Finally, most of January tends to be mellow, when many people intentionally don’t make plans after the hustle and bustle of November and December. With nowhere to go and nothing to do, it’s much easier to ditch drinking for a few weeks.  

Damp January is a Suitable Alternative

While the idea of Dry January might appeal to some, completely cutting out alcohol is too much of a commitment for others. For the latter group, Damp January offers a suitable compromise.

Like Dry January, Damp January cuts out alcohol, but it’s not an all-or-nothing cessation. Instead, Damp January encourages people to drink less while still allowing for once-in-a-while indulgence. Though it might not have as many benefits as its drier counterpart, Damp January offers several perks and encourages people to start 2025 off on a healthier foot. 

Atomic Cowboy Offers Dry January Options

If you want to participate in Dry January or Damp January, Atomic Cowboy can help quench your thirst. We offer a variety of sodas and non-alcoholic beer (Athletic Brewing), with more non-alcoholic beer options on the way soon. 

Whether you want to give your liver some love or make it easier to stick to your resolutions, Dry January is a terrific way to usher in the new year. Cheers to health and happiness in 2025!

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