What is Dry January?

1. Where does the Dry January come from?
2. What are the reasons for participating in Dry January?
3. Does participating in Dry January mean having to forgo enjoyment?

The new year is just around the corner, and before it arrives, there's a lot of drinking going on! December is a very alcohol-heavy month for most of us: mulled wine during Advent, beer, wine, and sparkling wine during the Christmas holidays, and cocktails on New Year's Eve! Wouldn't an alcohol-free month be appropriate?

How fitting that December marks the beginning of a new year and so that new resolutions come. The New Year's resolution to drink less alcohol is nothing new. Dry January, however, is about abstaining from alcohol for a month.

Where does the Dry January come from?

The idea of ​​abstaining from alcohol has been around for some time: in the 1940s, the Finnish population was encouraged by their government to abstain from alcohol completely at the beginning of the new year.

Dry January, as we know it today, actually originated in Great Britain. Since 2013, the UK has been calling for a dry January. At that time, 4,000 Britons attempted to abstain from alcohol for a month. Nowadays, it's a worldwide phenomenon. Movement and according to Yougov has In 2020, one in five Americans participated in Dry January.

There's a bit more to the British call for a Dry January than meets the eye. Great Britain Alcohol is the most common cause of death for people between 15 and 49 years old! Germany is not far behind, as it is considered a high-consumption country, since everyone aged 15 and over drinks an average of 10.9 liters of alcohol per year.

Dry January raises awareness about mindful drinking and provides food for thought for the rest of the year! It helps to reconsider and redefine one's relationship with alcohol. Others see Dry January as a test of willpower!

Which positive What benefits can you expect from a Dry January for your well-being? Read our blog post here!