Why Try Dry January?

Losing weight, skin looking better, waking up fresher, feeling less tired during the day and saving money - what’s not to like?

But how to achieve it? All the above are the immediate effects of cutting back on alcohol. The list of long-term benefits is even longer including improving your mood and sleeping better, as well as preventing alcohol-related heart and immune problems.

It’s Dry January, Alcohol Concern’s annual campaign, and it’s a good time to think about our alcohol intake. But knowing we should cut down doesn’t make it any easier.

So if you want to drink less, here are some tips to get you started. Just a quick reminder that the recommended amount you should not exceed a week is 14 units – that’s six pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of low-strength wine.

Make a plan Before you start drinking, set a limit on how much you're going to drink.

Set a budget Only take a fixed amount of money to spend on alcohol.

Tell people Let your friends and family know you're cutting down and that it's important to you, to help win their support.

Take it a day at a time Cut back a little each day. That way, every day you do is a success.

Make it a smaller one You can still enjoy a drink, but go for smaller sizes. Try bottled beer instead of pints, or a small glass of wine instead of a large.

Have a lower-strength drink Swap strong beers or wines for those with a lower strength. You’ll find information on the bottle.

Stay hydrated Have a glass of water before you have alcohol and alternate alcoholic drinks with water or other non-alcoholic drinks.

Take a break Have several drink-free days each week.

For more info visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/tips-on-cutting-down-alcohol/