Alcohol sales hit the deck in 2020, as British, Australian and many others spent time blocking themselves (or at least removing the limits).
But the coronavirus pandemic is not over yet, and our bodies can only hold so many additional wine and tequila.
Enter the Dry Dry, which may seem like a better idea than ever in 2021, but it may also seem like a much tougher compromise.
For those who were determined to give it a try, FEMAIL spoke with Hilary Sheinbaum, author of “The Dry Challenge: How to Lose Alcohol for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Non-Alcohol Month,” which she shared. your best tips for taking a break from alcohol, even while you’re at home all day, every day.
Squeeze! With alcohol consumption levels 2020 and 2020 on your back, celebrating the dry January of this year can start things off with a healthy foot
“There are so many benefits to making a dry January, or any other dry month, that includes better sleep, improved digestion, increased energy, lighter skin, and an overall sense of success,” Sheinbaum said. , whose book debuted on December 29.
“You also save a lot of money when you’re not buying expensive cocktails and bottles of liquor and wine,” he added.
In the photo: Hilary Sheinbaum, who suggests quitting alcohol and finding fun and sober activities to have a successful dry January in 2021
Undoubtedly, Americans spent a lot on alcohol in the last year, with online sales rising like never before. In fact, a report by market research firm IWSR found that online alcohol sales in the U.S. would total about $ 5.6 billion in 2020, 80% more than the previous year.
Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the United Kingdom also experienced a boost in the e-commerce of alcoholic beverages.
“More than in recent years, 2020 had so many lows and caused a lot of tension and uncertainty. A lot of people drink more at home and at different times of the day, ”Sheinbaum said.
“After a crazy year, we could all use a fresh start: feel well rested, energetic and have a couple of extra dollars in the bank.”
In her book, which includes an advantage of Laguna Beach star Lo Bosworth, Sheinbaum shares the benefits of giving up alcohol, non-alcoholic cocktail recipes, and even activities that don’t include drinking.
Here, he gives his best advice to abstain while the world is still within reach of a pandemic.
Sheinbaum is the author of “The Dry Challenge: How to Lose Alcohol During Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Non-Alcohol Month”
Remember: out of sight, out of mind
Anyone who has been on a diet knows that having tasty snacks in sight is a recipe for failure, and so is the contents of your liquor.
“While working from home, every time you pass the bar cart or open the fridge, you’re likely to see bottles of wine, liquor, or beer,” Sheinbaum explained.
If your goal is to give up alcohol all together, pour it all into the pit or give it to friends.
If you only give it up a month, look for a place to hide your bottles and cans. It’s okay if you know it’s still there; as long as you don’t have to see it every day, you’re less likely to drink it.
“You can just store alcohol out of sight at home or give it to a friend to keep for 31 days,” he said.
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Misery loves company.
“Even if you don’t see your friends in person during your forties, you can suggest a group activity: not drinking together,” Sheinbaum suggests. “Having other people on a shared goal is not only motivating, but it will make all parties responsible.”
It can also be comforting to engage with your friends how much you’d like a glass of pinot gris and how much you miss out on Saturday nights at your favorite bar.
With that in mind, look for things to do that are fun but don’t involve drinks.
“If you’re staying with friends, family, or a partner, you can imagine activities to do together in person that don’t involve alcohol,” Sheinbaum said.
Find something you expect
One of the reasons many of us drank during our forties is … well, what else did we have to do?
But instead of drinking out of boredom, now is the time to think outside the box to find ways to engage and entertain yourself.
“The pandemic doesn’t allow for galas or festivals, but you can still be creative with fun ways to occupy your time,” Sheinbaum said.
Beyond streaming platforms for fun movies, you can adopt a new workout regime at home, learn how to cook or develop recipes (no wine cooking), redecorate your home, or reorganize your closet.
And if you’ve already done all of this in quarantine, look for live virtual events online to stay engaged with what’s happening in your state, city, and even your own neighborhood.
Need a little more help?
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It is considered to have several benefits, including the ability to reduce depression and anxiety.
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Find another drink that feels special
Don’t just give up buzzing when you take a break from alcohol – it’s also the taste of your favorite drinks.
Sheinbaum suggests replacing your drink after work (or during work) with a non-alcoholic drink that is still tasty.
“If you’re a beer drinker, there are non-alcoholic beers, including IPAs, stouts and more,” he said.
“If you’re feeling creative or looking for a classic cocktail, you can mix yours with different varieties of non-alcoholic spirits and other ingredients with zero ABV,” he added.
Her book includes non-alcoholic cocktail recipes and Pinterest is full of good ideas.
Motivate yourself with a reward
“You’re bound to reap the mental and physical benefits of cutting alcohol for 31 days, but having something to look forward to in the end can also be motivating,” Sheinbaum said.
“Because you save money throughout the month, you can collect your earned cash and promise to buy yourself something you’ve been seeing throughout the month (or maybe even before).”
On January 1st, promise yourself something that “feels like a treat” that you’ll get as a reward on February 1st, even though you try not to make alcohol out of it.
“When the dry month is over, buy it or book it and celebrate.”