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The curse of the drinking class is work

Dry January is a campaign that originated in the UK and has gained popularity around the world. It involves abstaining from alcohol for the month of January. The campaign is organised by Alcohol Change UK, a charity that aims to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

Before I go any further, let me make it clear that this is not an anti-alcohol piece; for many people alcohol is a social part of life that is enjoyed in moderation, and is often relaxing, enjoyable and fun. But there can be a few reasons why we may want to take part in dry January, including:

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1) Christmas indulgence. The excess of the Christmas season behind us, the time now is to repent! Or at least so we’re told… The total removal of one of the key over indulgences -alcohol - can be a clear step to take. The New Year has some profound effects on us and our desire to make positive change to our health and wellbeing. Complete abstinence fits with the idea of wiping the slate clean and new beginnings.

2) Finances. Drinking can be expensive and January is often a time to cut back after the financial hit of Christmas. So there is not only an impact on our physical health but also our financial health.

3) Supporting others around us who might be taking a step away from alcohol. Giving them time to evaluate their relationship with alcohol and the impact that it has on their lives is a positive thing but can require support.

4) Resetting our relationship with alcohol. For some, alcohol can be an issue and removal of it might be the best thing. It doesn’t have to be forever, but assessing the impact of a brief interlude away from alcohol can be revealing.


'I can resist everything except temptation'
 

Advice to the (possibly) unhelpful
 

When we hear that someone is undertaking this breath-taking feat of abstinence, I know that the reaction is often: “but one is fine, surely” or “this wine is too good to miss” or “yes sure you’re not drinking, but here’s a beer”. Although often a flippant joke or passing comment with no intention of causing anything beyond a chuckle,  in practice, these comments can have a big impact on someone.  In this respect, it must be about knowing your victim. Take me as an example. When people say things like “don’t be silly, just have one,”these moments actually strengthen my resolve even more so. This may come as no surprise to many of you,but my belligerence and hard headedness is piqued and I am only too happy to double down. But, for others, it makes the journey harder and this is surely not worth it for anyone involved. Tease those that are motivated by it, and respect others who just don’t need it. 


Ideas for when you’re on the wagon or driving the wagon

Having a strategy is always good. As a serial planner, I find the best course of action is to make a plan.Naturally, you can always deviate from the plan but having one is essential, it’s something to hold on to.With this in mind,  I am always well equipped with a non-alcoholic beverage of choice (who knew o% Moretti’s tasted so nice?!). And if something more sophisticated floats your boat, then Collectivino, co-founded by a client and great friend of mine, Martin Stead, has a great collection of non-alcoholic wines. And whilst I’m not on commission, I’ve included a link to their website here:

'Everything in moderation, even moderation'

Dry January is of course a great endeavour, but it can be a daunting task. January can already be a difficult month: it’s dark, cold, and summer feels like a long time away. Moving the moderation needle in your favour can be so helpful. So perhaps instead of Dry January, how about a dry-first-week-of-every-month? It doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but incorporating the principle into the rest of the year can have an incredibly positive cumulative effect. Trying to establish a routine where for one week per month you are alcohol free will result in a net of 3 months over the whole year. If you’re including January on top of thatthen you’re a saint. The ‘little and often’ approach is an often used mantra for a reason.

‘Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities, may produce all the effects of drunkenness.’

Those of you who know me will know that I couldn’t not include some of the science here. Alcohol is,interestingly, its own non-essential macro nutrient, providing 7 calories per gram. Like all macronutrients, it can contribute to weight gain if an excess of calories is consumed. Of particular note is our reduced quality of nutritional decision making when drunk, and often in the days following. Additionally, it has a diuretic response to the body, which in turn can impact on performance. 

Additionally, the increased dehydration and often lower quality of sleep can impair performance. Can we quantify the impact that a hangover has on performance? One research paper looked directly at this. Naturally the test was undertaken by rugby players. They ingested their ‘typical Friday night volume of alcohol’ and the following day completed a selection of fitness and performance tests. They found an 11.4% reduction in aerobic performance. The reduction was seen in all athletes who consumed 1-38 units. They also observed an impact on long term injury risk. Athletes who participated in drinking one or more times per week were also more than twice as likely to become injured. 
 

I know earlier I said that this was not an anti alcohol article, so the caveat is: Are you an athlete? Whilst the research I have presented would suggest that drinking is negative for performance, this is when we are looking at athletic performance. For some of us, having a glass of wine is worth the impact on physical performance, especially when our careers don’t exactly depend on how much we can squat.

In conclusion, Dry January can be a tough challenge. Find a support network of people or information that can help you to stay on track. Plan, find alternatives that can help you keep your goals in mind and stick to what you want to do, and asses whether your objectives are being met by your plans. Take the lessons that you learn during this process and try to apply them to the remainder of the year, perhaps breaking the time into smaller, more regular chunks which may give you a different perspective. 

Lastly, if you are struggling to moderate your drinking, speak to someone.



Useful links:
Alcohol and performance
Collectivino
 

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