The month of January is often synonymous with new resolutions and questioning our habits. What if this year we took on a challenge that would allow us not only to take care of our health, but also to review our relationship with alcohol? This is where the Dry January, or Alcohol Free Month, comes into play.
Thanks to Sanzalc, find more than 450 non-alcoholic drinks in one place to best meet the challenge of Dry January!
What is Dry January?
Dry January, which originated in the United Kingdom in 2013, is a challenge to not drink a drop of alcohol for the entire month of January. The objective is to take a break from our alcohol consumption, to review our relationship with this substance and to immediately notice the benefits on our health.
This challenge, more and more popular each year, was introduced in France in 2020 and has sparked debates and differences of opinion. However, it offers a unique opportunity to become aware of our alcohol consumption and take steps to moderate or even eliminate it altogether. This is the case of your servant who is writing these lines just now ;)
Why take on the Dry January challenge?
Short-term benefits
The benefits of abstaining from alcohol for a month are numerous and are felt from the first days. First of all, the break in alcohol consumption allows a improved sleep quality. Indeed, alcohol disrupts the sleep cycle and can lead to restless nights and a lack of energy. By taking a break for a month, you will see a marked improvement in your sleep, allowing you to feel more rested and more focused on a daily basis.
Additionally, Dry January offers an opportunity to take care of your liver. Alcohol is known to be toxic to this vital organ, and excessive and regular consumption can lead to health problems such as cirrhosis. By taking a month's break, you allow your liver to rest and regenerate, reducing the risk of long-term complications.
Finally, taking a break from drinking alcohol can also help you lose weight. Indeed, alcohol is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. By taking a month's break, you reduce your calorie intake and can see significant weight loss, especially if you combine this with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Medium and long term benefits
Dry January is more than just a month without alcohol, it can also have lasting effects on your alcohol consumption. By taking a break and reevaluating your relationship with alcohol, you can develop a heightened awareness of your drinking habits and learn to moderate them.
Taking a month's break can help you take a step back from alcohol and understand why you use it and in what situations you are more likely to do so. This awareness can help you adopt more moderate consumption and responsible in the long term, avoiding excesses and risky behavior.
Additionally, Dry January can give you the confidence to continue reducing your alcohol consumption throughout the year. By seeing the benefits on your health and well-being, you will be more motivated to maintain moderate consumption and take care of yourself.
How to meet the challenge of Dry January?
“We must already remember one vital thing. The challenge of Dry January must be taken as a challenge or a game for oneself that we can do together and not as a task that we impose on ourselves reluctantly!”
Arnaud, Sanzalc
1. Set clear goals
Before you start Dry January, take the time to think about your personal goals. Would you like to stop drinking completely for a month or just reduce your drinking to a moderate level? What benefits do you hope to obtain from this break?
By setting clear goals, you will be more motivated to achieve them and you will be able to measure your progress throughout the month. Remember that Dry January is a personal challenge, there is no right or wrong outcome. The important thing is to do your best and become aware of the positive effects on your health.
2. Find support
Meeting the challenge of Dry January can sometimes be difficult, especially if you are surrounded by people who continue to consume alcohol. It is therefore important to find support to help you throughout the month.
You can join support groups online or in your local community. You can also tell your friends and family about it, so that they understand your approach and can encourage you in your challenge.
3. Explore alternatives to alcohol
During the month of January, it may be helpful to explore alternatives to alcohol to satisfy your cravings and keep drinking enjoyable. There are many non-alcoholic drinks on the market, such as mocktails, non-alcoholic beers, non-alcoholic wines and non-alcoholic spirits. You will of course find the best non-alcoholic drinks on Sanzalc who is recognized as an expert in alcohol-free wine merchants in France.
For example, if you are a fan of good craft beers (called Craft beers) and don't know which ones to choose, Sanzalc has specifically designed for this purpose a Alcohol-free Advent calendar which can just as easily serve as a Post-Calendar for the month of January and therefore Dry January 2026. Inside you will find 24 magnificent alcohol-free Craft beers of 10 different types (blonde, dark, IPA, fruity, etc.) and from 7 different countries!
You can also experiment with homemade non-alcoholic drinks, like fruit infusions, vegetable juices or smoothies. These alternatives can help you maintain a festive mood and feel included at social events.
4. Celebrate your successes
Throughout the month of January, take time to celebrate your successes and progress. Every day without alcohol is a victory in itself, so don't hesitate to reward yourself for your efforts.
You can give yourself gifts, plan special activities, or simply share your success with your loved ones. Celebrating your successes will give you extra motivation to continue on the path to wellness and moderation.
What to remember from Dry January?
Dry January is a personal challenge that offers many benefits for health and well-being. By taking a break from alcohol consumption throughout the month of January, you can improve your sleep, take care of your liver, lose weight and adopt more moderate alcohol use in the long term through the consumption of healthy alternatives like alcohol-free wines for example.
Meeting the challenge of Dry January can be difficult, but with clear goals, the right support and good alternatives to alcohol like those found on Sanzalc, you can succeed and see the benefits on your health. So why not embark on this adventure and start the year off right?
Don't forget that Dry January is not reserved for people with an alcohol problem, it is aimed at everyone who wants to take care of their health and review their relationship with alcohol. So, are you ready to take on the challenge of Dry January?
Three, two, one… Cheers! 🥂
