The benefits of a dry January are amazing and here's why...

Firstly, what is it? By committing to the Dry January challenge it means to abstain from alcohol for the whole month of January.

Did you know that the results of a study of 857 participants showed that 64% of them drank less alcohol six months after dry January ended. In terms of health benefits, a change in attitude towards alcohol is arguably the most important. If people don't drink for a month, they may reconsider their relationship with it entirely. 

The health benefits are incredible, here are some examples:

• Better Sleep -
  We may associate an alcoholic beverage with quickly sending us to sleep, but drinking alcohol before bed can actually damage sleep quality.
  By slipping straight into a deep sleep, you miss out the vital stages of dozing.
  
  This can result in lighter, less restorative sleep later in the night. According to Alcohol Concern UK, 71% of people had better sleep by cutting out alcohol for a month, while 67% said they had more energy.
  You can improve your memory and reduce your heart disease risk by sleeping better.
  
  
• More Energy -
  You'll feel much better in yourself when you get more sleep, and without the headache that comes with morning-after booze.
  Many people find that with their new-found energy they get more done and even exercise more.
  
  
• Weight Loss -
  It is well known that alcohol has a high calorie content - a glass of wine contains approximately 160 calories, while a pint of beer contains approximately 208. Moreover, 58% of Dry January participants reported weight loss.
  
  Maintaining a healthy weight is an important thing that you can do to look after your health.
  
  
• A Sense of Achievement  -
  By achieving something you found difficult will boost your confidence and give you a feeling of success and it can be a great benefit for your mental wellbeing. 
  
  
• Other Health Benefits - 
  

  From a stronger immune system to reduced stress and a healthy, functioning liver. Alcohol also affects your blood pressure and sugar levels, so you may see a massive improvement there too.

  By ignoring the negative effects that alcohol can have on your body, but they can be very serious, and many of us drink more than we are aware. 

Is it too much of a challenge? 

Some people may find it harder than others, and those who find it more difficult to abstain from alcohol for just one month may have to take the time to consider why they rely on alcohol so much in the first place. There may be many factors as to why so it's good to reflect and dig deep within oneself to get the answers you need. 

If this is the case for you, consider asking your GP or a therapist for advice.

So, why should everyone take part in doing the challenge? 

In a nutshell; your skin will get brighter, your wallet will get fuller, your days will be busier and your mind body and soul will be healthier. Most people who do Dry January see a whole host of obvious benefits that make Dry January the perfect start to 2023. 

It’s easy to take your health for granted, especially if you feel fine. Many of us drink to relax, socialise or celebrate. But before we know it, alcohol can become a part of our everyday lives in a way that it starts to harm our bodies. What starts off as a routine can become a habit. When this habit becomes a problem, other people such as our family, friends or our GP might notice it first. We could easily ignore it, but doing so might be dangerous. It is life changing for many and doing Dry January can start the ball rolling for a long term lifestyle change. 

Therefore, if you feel better on the inside, you are going to feel better on the outside. Giving up alcohol for month could mean a new you, a new life, a new start. Only you will know, so give it a try! After all, your health comes first.

"Sobriety was the best gift I ever gave myself"
– Rob Lowe

Can hypnotherapy help me achieve this?

Yes it can, and here is how its done...

The process is fairly straightforward and here’s what you can expect when trying hypnotherapy specifically for alcohol use:

1. You’ll discuss goals with a hypnotherapist or select an audio recording that you want relating to your issue. Think about your goals also, for example do you want to drink less overall? Stop binge drinking? Or stop drinking entirely? etc etc. It may be a good idea to write them down also.
2. The hypnotherapist will talk you through the process and make sure you feel comfortable and safe with no distractions.
3. When you’re ready, your therapist puts you in a relaxed state, generally by helping you visualise soothing, peaceful images and using different tones of their voice. 
4. The hypnotherapist may ask you to close your eyes or focus on something visually, such as a candle flame, a beach setting or a bench in a park etc.
5. Once you feel fully relaxed, you will be told to visualise specific scenarios involving alcohol, first a good memory and then a bad one. Then they will suggest potential coping methods that don’t involve alcohol.
6. Your therapist may also ask you to imagine yourself in the future once you’ve successfully addressed your alcohol use and how you will feel for achieving this goal.
7. Then they will speak calmly to help bring you out of the hypnotic state.

When you leave the hypnotic state, you’ll likely feel calm and different. You will also remember what happened, including those visualisations of yourself achieving goals related to alcohol use. Remember that you are always in control. 

Visualisation tricks your brain, in a way by imagining yourself doing something makes it easier to believe you’ve already done it. This increases your confidence and help you for many issues you may have.

In short, if you believe you can stop drinking and want to stop drinking, you have a higher chance of success.

If you want to try our 30 Days Dry Package please click on the link below or send us an email to info@clearmindshypnotherapy.com for any questions. 

https://clearmindshypnotherapy.com/products/30-days-dry-package-hypnotherapy 

References:

https://www.circlehealthgroup.co.uk/health-matters/health-and-wellbeing/the-benefits-of-a-dry-january

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https://alcoholchange.org.uk/help-and-support/managing-your-drinking/dry-january/why-do-dry-january-1/why-do-dry-january