Why Wait For Dry January? Here’s Why The Right Time For A Break From Alcohol Might Be Now

Before I interviewed the acclaimed habit-change expert Andy Ramage, co-founder of the One Year No Beer programme for my Feel Better, Live More podcast, I thought what he had to say would be inspirational for anyone thinking of embarking on a Dry January. But in actual fact, Andy’s message is that tactical breaks from alcohol can bring you a host of benefits – from better sleep and vitality to better performance and happiness. And if you’re considering one, he says, the time to do it is now.

Andy’s mission is to help people better understand their
relationship with alcohol. And to know that alcohol is not something you have
to give up, but that you’ll gain a massive advantage by abstaining for a while.
He speaks to what he calls ‘middle lane’ drinkers. Those who probably don’t
consider themselves problem drinkers, but who nonetheless come from a culture
where regular alcohol consumption – to celebrate, commiserate, relax,
de-stress, socialise, network – is the norm.

A former professional footballer turned broker, Andy found
himself in his mid-30s, with what looked like the perfect life. He had a
high-flying, well-paid job, big house, nice car, loving family. Yet he was
struggling inside. Overweight, stressed and unfit, he felt there must be more
to life. He left his job and went on a journey, rediscovering fitness, good
nutrition, meditation, but the one thing he didn’t address was his alcohol
intake. Slowly, it dawned on him this might be what was holding him back – and
so he embarked on his first 28-day alcohol-free challenge. By his own admission
there were setbacks at first. But once the far-reaching benefits of not
drinking became obvious to him, he’s not looked back. He hasn’t had a drink for
six years.

I think Andy’s absolutely right that alcohol is the elephant
in the room when it comes to our wellbeing. So often we think about changing
every aspect of our health, yet overlook how much we habitually drink. When I
think about my patients who have a problematic relationship with alcohol, most
of them are not alcoholics. They’re not falling out of nightclubs or waking up
needing a drink. They probably don’t even realise the adverse effect their
intake is having.

Andy and I talked about that vicious cycle of having a drink to unwind at the end of the day, and how that affects the quality of your sleep. The next day you need caffeine and sugar to get through the day, you get stressed, you leave work and yes, reach for the bottle again. Andy pointed out that even if you drink just twice a week, the knock-on effect on your sleep can put you off your game for a couple of days. That means you’re losing 50 per cent of your week to underperformance, due to what feels like quite a moderate alcohol intake!

Andy conducted a survey on how social pressure impacts our
drinking and the results were amazing. 97 per cent of respondents said they
felt social pressure to drink, and 85 per cent felt that pressure at work, too.
I absolutely identify with this. When I was at medical school there was a huge drinking culture. I
remember making myself get used to the taste of beer just to fit in. These days
I barely drink, but I have
definitely had disappointed or disparaging comments from others when I’ve
ordered a sparkling water. Andy remembers worrying his friends, family
and even his partner would disown him when he first stopped drinking. Amazing,
isn’t it, that we’ll engage in behaviours we don’t want to do, just to please
others? Alcohol is the only drug in the world people actively encourage you not
to give up!

Andy’s top tips

So Andy’s message is, just give it a go. Try a month without
alcohol, see how you feel. Collect some personal data – write down how it
affects your productivity, time, relationships, stress levels, sleep, BMI. If
you like the results? Keep it up. Here are some of Andy’s tips to help you on
your way:

Start today. Don’t wait for Dry January (and
give yourself licence to drink even more in December). Don’t wait till your diary
is empty. Make the commitment now. When you’re out, know exactly what you’re going
to drink and have a back-up plan if it’s not available. This makes you less
likely to lose your resolve at the bar.Choose one of the ever-growing range of
‘placebo’ drinks like alcohol-free beers or G&Ts. Holding something that
looks and tastes like alcohol takes away some of the social pressure.Surround yourself with people who’ll support you
and cheer you on. Get your nourishment from connection with others, even if
that’s online support (like the One Year No Beer or Feel Better Live More
Facebook groups).Don’t lock yourself away socially – this just
feeds the mythology that you need alcohol to enjoy yourself. Throw yourself
into your alcohol-free life, go to that work party, speak to that stranger.
Have a visceral experience of what life without alcohol can be like.

You can listen to Feel Better Live More podcast episode 85 Is it Time for a Tactical Break from Alcohol? With Andy Ramage or watch the conversation on my YouTube channel.

Read about the effects alcohol can have on sleep in my book
The Stress Solution: The 4 Steps to Reset Your Body, Mind, Relationships & Purpose.

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DISCLAIMER: The
content in this blog is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may
have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice
or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this blog or on this
website.

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