January is here, and you know what that means: Dry January, a month free of alcohol, is upon us.
If you’re not familiar with the Dry January movement, we did some leg work to find out how a booze-free month can help you. It turns out abstaining from drinking alcohol for 31 days can not only benefit your mind and your body but also your wallet.
Alcohol Change UK, the organization that started the increasingly popular sobriety challenge in 2013, reported that 65% of those who participate cited improved health, 70% reported better sleep, and 66% reported more energy — not to mention that a whopping 86% reported saving money. (We’re not sure what that other 14% replaced their booze budget with!)
A growing body of research has shown that even a casual relationship with alcohol can have a negative impact on your health. A 2025 advisory from the surgeon general said drinking just one drink a day increases the risk for at least seven different cancers, including breast cancer.
Read: Happy Hour Is on the Rocks: Alcohol and Breast Cancer Advisory >>
How can a booze-free month help you?
Patricia Geraghty, a nurse practitioner in Walnut Creek, California, and member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council, said there are several negative health effects of alcohol, including inflammation that can affect most body systems. “In the gastrointestinal system, it can cause gastritis and liver damage. In the cardiovascular system, the inflammation can promote plaque and atherosclerosis, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke,” she said. When we abstain from alcohol for a month, it helps heal inflammation, Geraghty added.
According to Marissa Duswalt Epstein, registered dietitian, lecturer in nutrition at the University of Texas, and also a member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council, “Alcohol also impairs sleep, so short-near term benefits of taking a break from drinking could include feeling more energized and sleeping better.”
It looks like there are all kinds of ways quitting drinking can help improve your health.
So … consider these 10 reasons why you should try a Dry January
1. Lower levels of harmful inflammation in the body
2. Lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes
3. Learn about your relationship with alcohol and how it affects you
4. Save money
5. Sleep better
6. Cut empty calories
7. Enjoy increased energy
8. Boost your immune system
9. Lower your cholesterol and blood pressure
10. Lower your risk of developing cancer
An important note if you’re beyond moderate drinking
Moderate drinking is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one drink a day for women and two for men. But research shows that no amount of alcohol is safe when it comes to your health.
If you’re a heavy drinker or are dependent on alcohol, Geraghty cautioned that you can have withdrawal symptoms if you stop drinking abruptly. If this describes you, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before joining in on Dry January.
- How Much Alcohol Is Too Much for Your Heart Health? ›
- Happy Hour Is on the Rocks: Alcohol and Breast Cancer Advisory ›
- Why Alcohol Affects You More As You Age ›
- My First Dry January Was Overflowing With Criticism, but I Learned to Listen to Myself ›
