You’ve decided to cut out alcohol for January as part of your New Year’s resolutions. Great going! Cutting out alcohol can help your health in many ways, and give your year a fresh start. However, you may need some help to stick to your dry January New Year’s resolution. Firstly, you should find a buddy to help keep you accountable. Next, find a substitute for holding a drink in your hand. Change up your routine to help distract yourself from the want to drink. And finally, prepare ahead of time and have a plan for weak moments. With these tips, you’ll have great success with your Dry January goals!
How-to: Stick to Your Dry January New Years Resolution: Eyes on the Prize
Get a Buddy
Just like most things, sticking to your Dry January New Year’s resolution is easier with a friend. Because you have somebody else going through the challenge with you, you’ll have more incentive to keep going. In addition, you can hold each other accountable. Another positive of having a buddy is that you can celebrate your accomplishments together. If you are having a moment of weakness, your friend might be able to motivate you to keep going.
Find a Substitute
Part of the difficulty in quitting drinking is that people enjoy the feel of a wine glass or beer bottle in their hands. But there are plenty of alternatives to this. For example, try making mocktails in fancy glasses. Water is the best substitute of course, but you can spruce it up with fresh fruit. There are plenty of non-alcoholic beers on the market as well, which come in traditional bottles. Have something handy that you can sip on to distract yourself and stick to your Dry January New Year’s resolution.
Change Your Routine
One way to break bad habits is to switch up your routine. Often, the after-work evening time is the most difficult to stick to if you are trying to complete a Dry January New Year’s resolution. That’s the time of day many people choose to wind down with a glass of wine or beer. To help this, you can choose to go for a walk or get together with a friend. It might be easier to get out of your house completely Try getting a change of scenery to see if that can help distract you.
Prepare Ahead of Time – walk, gym, new book, new hobby
Having a plan when things get difficult is key to sticking to any goals. This is equally true if you’re trying to stick to your Dry January New Year’s resolution. Our emotions fluctuate constantly. If you’re having a bad day or feeling emotional, you might be more tempted to drink. Try to have a plan of things to do when this happens. Call a friend, or start a yoga workout. You could treat yourself to a yummy dessert or start a new book. Just have some things on hand that can distract you. You will definitely have moments of weakness, but preparing for them in advance can help you avoid drinking.
Congrats on deciding to participate in your Dry January New Year’s resolution. Hopefully, you will have success in your goal by using some of these tips. Try to do it with a buddy, find a substitute for drinking, change up your habits, and prepare for moments of weakness. Keep your eyes on the prize of finding more health and happiness in 2021!
