Dry January: Kick off the New Year With a Fresh Start
The festive season is like no other. It’s a wonderful time of year when friends and family from near and far gather around a table to celebrate being together. We eat, we drink, we party and then we drink some more. That’s where Dry January comes in –– thirty-one days sans booze.
Giving up alcohol after a December of debauchery is really easier than you may think. It’s not about going cold turkey or punishing yourself, it's about providing your body and mind with a mini break to kick off the New Year. Dry January-ers say that by the end of the month, they’re sleeping better, feel more energized and are more productive (to name just a few benefits).
How to make the most of your Dry January
- Make it a group challenge
Imagine attempting the “Ghost Pepper Challenge” or the “Chubby Bunny Challenge” all alone in your basement. Zero excitement. That’s why we recommend drafting a group of buddies you know will inject a ton of fun into Dry January. Grab your uncle, your sister, a neighbour or a colleague and brainstorm a few fun activities that don’t involve opening a bottle of booze.
If you can’t seem to scrounge up a good group, turn to your phone. Search for a Dry Jan Facebook group or Reddit community and, who knows, you might come out of it with a new friendship or two.
- Explore more alcohol-free beverages
Your grocery store is filled with a plethora of mouthwatering booze-free picks. From non-alcohol beer and cocktails to specialty sodas and juices – you’ll likely need at least thirty-one days to try them all.
How much do you love craft beer? We’re obsessed, which is why we created Sober Carpenter. Join the Sober Carpenter Club and get a selection of award-winning alcohol-free craft beer delivered right to your door. You get to choose your products, plus we’ve made it easy to skip, pause, or cancel at any time.
- Use technology to your advantage
Choose a preferred messaging platform and get your buddies on a group chat. Share newly-discovered sober drinks, drop some tips, upload pics, egg each other on –– whatever pumps you up. When it comes to sobriety, communication is everything.
If you’re into podcasts, do a quick search for Dry January/sober podcasts. Our favourites include That Sober Guy Podcast, A Sober Girls Guide and Sober Curious. You’ll be surprised at the sheer number of resources out there, and most of them are free too.
- Keep your body moving
We love January for its outdoor adventure potential. Get those Dry Jan buddies together for a day of downhill or a morning lap around the cross-country trail. If your group is big enough, maybe you want to plan a scrimmage at the local outdoor rink or rent ice indoors. Now that you’re drinking less, your body will have more energy to expend.
- Celebrate the end of Dry January
Whether you were sober for all thirty-one days, half the days or just a few, it’s time to party with your crew. Raise a glass of your favourite drink (with alcohol or not) and celebrate your successes. If you ask us, there’s nothing better than cold beer between friends, sober or boozy.
Most of all, remember that Dry January isn’t necessarily about making a big life change. It’s about trying something new and different for one month.
What does your Dry January look like?
Throughout the month of January, we’ll be sharing our favourite sober stories and experiences on our social media channels. Tag us in your photos and videos on Instagram or Facebook and maybe you’ll see yourself in our content. We can’t wait to follow your journey.