How
'Dry January' is the secret to better sleep, saving money and losing weight
University of Sussex
New research from the
University of Sussex shows that taking part in Dry January -- abstaining from
booze for a month -- sees people regaining control of their drinking, having
more energy, better skin and losing weight. They also report drinking less months later.
The research, led by
Sussex psychologist Dr Richard de Visser, was conducted with over 800 people
who took part in Dry January in 2018.
The results show that Dry January participants are still drinking less in August. They reported that:
The results show that Dry January participants are still drinking less in August. They reported that:
- drinking days fell on average from 4.3 to 3.3 per week;
- units consumed per drinking day dropped on average from 8.6 to 7.1;
- frequency of being drunk dropped from 3.4 per month to 2.1 per month on average.
Dr Richard de Visser,
Reader in Psychology at the University of Sussex, said:
"The simple act
of taking a month off alcohol helps people drink less in the long term: by
August people are reporting one extra dry day per week. There are also
considerable immediate benefits: nine in ten people save money, seven in ten
sleep better and three in five lose weight.
"Interestingly,
these changes in alcohol consumption have also been seen in the participants
who didn't manage to stay alcohol-free for the whole month -- although they are
a bit smaller. This shows that there are real benefits to just trying to
complete Dry January."
The University of
Sussex research showed that:
- 93% of participants had a sense of achievement;
- 88% saved money;
- 82% think more deeply about their relationship with drink;
- 80% feel more in control of their drinking;
- 76% learned more about when and why they drink;
- 71% realised they don't need a drink to enjoy themselves;
- 70% had generally improved health;
- 71% slept better;
- 67% had more energy;
- 58% lost weight;
- 57% had better concentration;
- 54% had better skin.
Dr Richard de Visser's
findings come from three self-completed online surveys: 2,821 on registering
for Dry January; 1,715 in the first week of February; and 816 participants in
August.
A new YouGov poll
undertaken for Alcohol Change UK showed that one in ten people who drink -- an
estimated 4.2 million people in the UK -- are already planning to do Dry
January in 2019.
Dr Richard Piper, CEO
of Alcohol Change UK, said:
"Put simply, Dry
January can change lives. We hear every day from people who took charge of
their drinking using Dry January, and who feel healthier and happier as a
result.
"The brilliant
thing about Dry January is that it's not really about January. Being
alcohol-free for 31 days shows us that we don't need alcohol to have fun, to
relax, to socialise. That means that for the rest of the year we are better
able to make decisions about our drinking, and to avoid slipping into drinking
more than we really want to.
"Many of us know
about the health risks of alcohol -- seven forms of cancer, liver disease,
mental health problems -- but we are often unaware that drinking less has more
immediate benefits too. Sleeping better, feeling more energetic, saving money,
better skin, losing weight... The list goes on. Dry January helps millions to
experience those benefits and to make a longer-lasting change to drink more
healthily."
Signing up for Dry
January increases the chance that you'll get the most out of the month. You can
download Try Dry: The Dry January App to track your units, money and calories
saved, plus many more features. Or you can sign up at dryjanuary.org.uk for
regular support emails with tips and tricks from experts and others like you.