Everyone always goes extra for the festive season but January is often about new beginnings, and some would argue that a reset ought to be approached with a sober mind, hence prompting the ‘Dry January’ campaign. ‘Dry January’ is a personal challenge to avoid alcohol consumption in January, which is one of the many ways people try to get a grip on life after extensive drinking and spending indulged during December. Why quit drinking in January? Studies have shown that most people get non-committal about New Year’s resolutions around March, but whether it's fitness or sobriety goals you’re intent on achieving, January is the time to be overzealous about it. The beauty of new beginnings is that the adrenaline rush they come with will get people to reach their full potential under any circumstance, and do the most to achieve their present goals, all with a smile on their faces. Much like the honeymoon phase in every relationship, however, this isn’t a lasting effect. The trend that is ‘Dry January’ comes as a relief to Lydia Uwase, who is trying to make a habit out of getting in shape and finds it hard to be consistent with the recurring temptation to drink. “In December I would go out for drinks after leaving the gym on most days, but I think ‘Dry January’ will help me stop undoing the progress from workouts because I won’t be tempted to drink if everybody else follows the rules.” Another compelling reason for people to participate in ‘Dry January’ is the after-effects of overspending towards the year’s end. Cutting off on alcohol and luxuries becomes a choice that has to be made to stay afloat, which is the case of Peter Nshuti Mugabo, who says, “I party a lot and that means I am making bad financial decisions most times. I sometimes have to reduce how much I spend to be on time for electricity and rent payments. The fact that I can pass it off as a trend this time is an added bonus.” Whether it’s rehab or a doctor’s recommendation to preserve bodily organs, the ideal place to test how long you can hold up to sobriety goals is the one month that everyone vowed not to drink in, which in the case of 48-year-old Ivan Mugabe didn’t start with complete absolution. Mugabe’s heavy drinking started having a bad effect on the health of his liver and his family advised him to reduce his alcohol consumption and even offered to join him in that pursuit as the festive season was winding up. “I stopped drinking hard liquor in the beginning but I couldn’t resist a glass of wine with every meal at first. These days I only take wine once every two days. My children want me to live healthier and I want to stop drinking alcohol altogether, them joining me in this pledge even just for a month is the encouragement I needed,” he says. Whether you’re pursuing ‘Dry January’ per the doctor’s order, using it to focus on your fitness or career goals, or using it as a saving tactic, the health benefits like a better sleep pattern, weight loss, and glowing skin are incentives that could make it a worthwhile experience, regardless of how long it lasts.
