How to do Dry January and curb alcohol addiction in 2021

For many of us, 2020 has been a year that has left us reaching for the booze.

It has been a stressful year, but add to that the fact that Christmas has not been an ideal one for everyone - with Covid restrictions continuing over the festive period for Tier 4 areas.

Dry January is the perfect opportunity to take a break and improve our long term relationship with alcohol.

But many people make resolutions on New Year’s Eve and more than 70 per cent fail by January 3 because they had no plan. And if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail, as personal trainer Sam Torabi likes to say.

Sam Torabi is a personal trainer at Watford Leisure Centre. Photo: Sam PT

Sam Torabi is a personal trainer at Watford Leisure Centre. Photo: Sam PT

We asked the Watford personal trainer for tips on how our readers can successfully stay off the booze for a month, or even a year.

He said: "Before you challenge yourself, make sure you know why you are going dry.

"By abstaining from drinking for a month, we can improve our overall health and energy levels, sleep better, save money and have a better sex life.

"If all these reasons are not enough, think about the sense of achievement! It could be the best feeling ever, just like reaching the finish line of a marathon."

Spend fewer days hungover in 2021. Photo: Pixabay

Here are Sam's 10 top tips to make it a success:

1. Set up measurable and realistic goals

And write them down. They could be: no alcohol for a month, drop a jean size, faster or longer run, learn a new sport, save money, etc.

2. Make your evenings about fitness

Evenings are the most dangerous time of the day to drink and the best way to reduce the temptation is to exercise. Get sweaty and show yourself who’s in charge! Hit the gym or go for a run, workout at home, do yoga or join your local sport club and play with a group.

Dedicate your evenings to fitness, not alcohol. Photo: Pixabay

3. Start the thickest book you ever read

And any extra time you find during the day, just read.

4. Sign up with a charity

Pick one that is close to your heart and donate, this way your Dry January will benefit others.

5. Save the money you usually spend on alcohol and book a holiday

This could motivate you even more to stay fit and reach your goals.

Read a book and save up for a holiday. Photo: Pixabay

6. Involve your close friends and family

Get your friends and family to join you when you are working out - it’s a lot more fun to do it together. And surround yourself with like-minded people.

7. Tell everyone

Tell everyone on social media that you're not drinking for a month. It could inspire others and at the same time share a clear message: no alcohol for me, thank you!

8. Steer clear of alcohol-frees

Sam is not a fan of alcohol-free beer and mocktails. He says they are empty calories and pointless, just like switching from cigarettes to vapes. What your body is really craving for is vitamin B, C and D3 and milk thistle supplement for your poor liver, he says.

Find another way to de-stress, don't automatically go for the beer. Photo: Pixabay

9. Drink a lot more water

The human body requires 3-4 litres of water a day for optimal function. It’s a simple step that will lead to a significant improvement on your health and well-being.

10. At the end of the month go back to your goal setting sheet and see what you have achieved

Set up more new goals on the same sheet! Now that you have managed to go dry for a month, try to keep the drinking to strictly once a week or on a special occasion.