Student tips for Dry January

Fed up with the Christmas hangovers? Dry January can be a great way to detox from alcohol and create healthier habits for the year ahead. Every year many people choose to join in with Dry January, and there are plenty of benefits to be had. 

Findings from Dry January show:

• 86% of people save money
• 70% of people sleep better
• 65% of people notice improvements in their general health 

But, as a student, committing to this challenge can often be even more difficult. For many students, alcohol can play a big part in the social aspects of student life. So we wanted to provide some tips to keep you motivated throughout the month. 

Download the app

The free Try Dry app can help you stay on track with your progress by providing helpful tools and tips. Run by Alcohol Change, the app is a great companion to keep you motivated, and you can even sign up for coaching emails too. 

Make alternative plans with friends 

If, like many students, alcohol gets woven into a lot of your social activities—try to think of new ways to catch up with friends throughout the month. It could be with a walk, trying out a new class or meeting for coffee. By keeping up contact with friends and making other plans throughout the month, you’ll increase your chances of sticking to your goal. 

Find an alcohol-free partner

You’re more likely to stick to this new habit if you can rope a friend in for the ride. Finding an alcohol-free partner helps keep you both motivated, and you can share tips to keep you going. If no one else is up to the challenge—you can find support online via the Dry January Facebook Community.

Tell others 

Sharing your commitment to Dry January with others can help you stay committed to the cause. The more people you can tell, the better. Telling others keeps you accountable for your actions throughout the month.

Remember your why 

You’re likely to encounter at least a couple of days during the challenge where you’re feeling de-motivated, or maybe you find yourself in a situation where you would usually be drinking alcohol. In these moments, try to remember why you started. Is it to save money this month? To gain more energy? Or to boost your overall wellbeing. Write down your reasons and refer back to them when you need to.

Get outdoors 

Getting outdoors in nature has a whole host of mental and physical benefits that can keep you going on your Dry January goal. These include:

• Increased creativity
• A boost in activity levels
• A dose of vitamin D
• Higher rates of social interaction 

Make non-alcoholic drinks fun

Just because you aren’t having the alcoholic tipple you’re accustomed to; doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy drinking in another way. There are plenty of non-alcoholic cocktails you can create with friends or non-alcoholic beers you can try for your Friday evening. Mix it up this month and try something new!