9 Benefits Of Dry January in The Music Industry
If you work in the music industry, dry January is definitely worth considering and can bring you several benefits. As those in the industry are well aware, alcohol is often present and hard to avoid at dinners, shows, festivals, and other events. There have been countless occasions where I didn't feel like drinking but ended up doing so because alcohol was readily available. Whether it was someone offering me a drink, a team dinner, or a celebration for someone in the office, it seemed like there was always an excuse to drink. However, having a few drinks at a show, staying out late, and getting home at 1 am can be challenging when you have to wake up early the next day for work and attend another show afterward. Facing a long workday is far from enjoyable when you're not feeling your best. Personally, I've discovered that it's much easier to resist giving in when I set a clear intention for myself, such as committing to dry January. Additionally, I've noticed that when I decline a drink and explain that I'm doing a cleanse for the month or simply not drinking all month, people are less likely to push or ask again, unlike if I had been drinking with them just a few days prior. Dry January can also help put into perspective how much you may drink socially or out of habit without even realizing it, and potentially help you cut back permanently once the month is over.
Here’s how dry January could benefit you:
1. Improved sleep: Alcohol disrupts your sleep patterns, leading to poor quality sleep and fatigue. By abstaining from alcohol for a month, you give your body a chance to reset its sleep cycle, resulting in more restful and rejuvenating sleep. You can also have up to an additional 5 REM cycles a night without any alcohol in your system. I don’t know about you guys, but when I drink I NEVER sleep well or fully through the night. Most nights after drinking, I fall asleep quickly, but then wake up at 3 or 4 am and never fully fall back asleep. I’m not just talking about heavily drinking either. This happens to me even when I have 3 drinks. I pretty much accept that when I drink, I’m going to have a bad night of sleep.
2. Enhanced mental clarity: Alcohol can impair cognitive function and affect your ability to concentrate and make decisions. Taking a break from alcohol allows your brain to function at its optimal level, leading to improved focus, memory, and overall mental clarity. The day after I drink, even the most simple tasks can seem difficult, and my brain certainly doesn’t function at 100%. I always do my best work, when I feel my best and haven’t been drinking. Say goodbye to that brain fog!
3. Healthier eating: For me and probably everyone I know, drinking alcohol leads to unhealthier food choices. When we’re out at a bar or venue drinking, we’re more likely to eat the burgers, wings and french fries that are readily available to us. When I’ve been drinking or am hungover, I’m way more likely to eat something unhealthy, order food, or go out to eat. When I haven’t been drinking, I tend to prioritize meal prepping and bringing food to work before attending a show, or making plans to cook for myself at home.
4. Weight management: Alcoholic beverages are often high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. By cutting out alcohol for a month, you eliminate those extra calories, which can help you maintain a healthy weight or even shed a few pounds. Let’s say you consume 6 alcoholic drinks a week. Now let’s say the average drink has 170 calories in it. That means you’re consuming 1020 extra calories a week just from drinking! Imagine what saving those calories alone could do for you?
5. Increased energy levels and hydration: Alcohol is a depressant that can leave you feeling sluggish and drained. By abstaining from alcohol, you give your body a chance to restore its energy levels, leading to increased vitality, productivity and creativity. There’s nothing worse than waking up feeling extremely dehydrated after drinking at a festival all day, frantically searching for water, and knowing that you’re going to feel awful for day 2.
6. Better skin health: Alcohol can dehydrate your skin and contribute to the development of skin conditions like acne and rosacea. By avoiding alcohol, you allow your skin to retain moisture, resulting in a healthier and more radiant complexion. My skin always glows and looks significantly more hydrated when I haven’t been drinking.
7. Stronger immune system: Alcohol weakens the immune system, and with different viruses going around, we want our immune systems to be as strong as possible. Personally, I always find myself getting sick after the holidays when I’ve been drinking more than normal, or after shows and festivals when I’ve been drinking a lot, staying out late and sacrificing sleep.
8. Improved liver function and reduced blood pressure: Alcohol is processed by the liver, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage over time. Taking a break from alcohol allows your liver to recover and regenerate, leading to improved liver function and overall health. High blood pressure is also a very common problem in the US and alcohol is a major contributor.
9. Financial savings: Alcohol can be expensive, especially when consumed regularly. By giving up alcohol for a month, you can save a significant amount of money, which can be put towards other things that make you happy or help you achieve your goals. Again, let’s say you have 6 drinks a week. Let’s also say, here in Los Angeles, or at festivals and venues, the average drink is $17. That means you’re spending an extra $102 a week or $408 a month that you could be saving, investing or putting towards other things!
If you’re reading this at a later date or January is over, remember you can start your dry month at any point in time! Overall, giving up alcohol for a month can provide you with a range of benefits that can positively impact your physical, mental, and financial well-being. Dry January can help put into perspective how much you may drink socially, and potentially help you cut back permanently once the month is over.
Copyright © 2024 Gabi King