Alcohol: start the new year dry

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Alcohol-free start into the year: At “Dry January”, millions of participants forego beer and the like for a month. The effect is astonishingly positive.

Mulled wine at the Christmas market, sparkling wine at the company party and eggnog on Christmas Eve: December is often a lively festive month. Finally, the year culminates in a blissful New Year's Eve party.

Alcohol break in January

A popular resolution for the turn of the year is therefore to take a break from alcohol. The British have made a whole movement out of this: on the island, the “Dry January” is proclaimed every year. The only rule: not a drop of alcohol in January!

According to a survey by the organization Alcohol Change UK, which started the campaign in 2012, more than four million British people want to take part this time. A similar action is planned in France.

But Germans also want to drink less: with 16 percent, "less alcohol" made it into the top ten New Year's resolutions last year.

Even short periods of abstinence do a lot

The 31-day abstinence is a chance for the body to regenerate. What health effects "Dry January" has, Dr. Richard de Visser of the University of Sussex examined more closely. In a study with almost 3800 participants, the scientists found several positive effects:

71 percent of the participants slept better during the waiver.
58 percent lost a few pounds.
More than half were also able to concentrate better.

Regeneration after a month

In addition to better sleep and weight loss, the Federal Center for Health Education mentions other advantages that can be seen after a few weeks of abstinence:

less food cravings
falling blood pressure
better complexion
Better mood

The alcohol-free month has a long-term effect

The abstinence month even seems to have a moderating effect on consumer behavior throughout the year. Six months later, 72 percent of the participants were able to book up to one non-alcoholic day per week more than before the campaign.

"Not drinking alcohol for a month helps people drink less in the long term," says de Visser. In addition, the action moves the participants and viewers to think about their own relationship to alcohol.

Drink less: the best tips

The one month abstinence from alcohol is of course not a free ticket to excessive consumption in the rest of the year. If you take these tips to heart, you can reduce your alcohol consumption in the long term:

If you don't have alcohol at home, you won't be tempted.
Never drink alcohol as a thirst quencher.
Drink slowly, refill less often!
Always choose a non-alcoholic drink first, no matter what the occasion.
Small glasses reduce consumption.
Dilute the alcohol (e.g. wine with mineral water).
No high-proof cocktails, rather gentler or - better still, alcohol-free mixtures.
Drink water or juice spritzers every now and then.
Stay away from drinking games!
Don't drink out of frustration, boredom, habit, or sadness.
Find another way to "relax" after a stressful day: a walk or sport, relaxation exercises, a short meditation, an enjoyable cup of tea.