Abroad there are two concepts, the first is Dry January (loosely translated: “dry January”, a public health campaign calling on people to abstain from alcohol in January, carried out in Europe and the United States and the Caucasus…), and sober October (or Ocsober, loosely translated: “Sober October”, an Australian fundraising initiative to encourage people to give up alcohol in October).
Many people in many countries make January or October of the year an alcohol-free month. Hilary Sheinbaum, author of a book called “The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Every Other Alcohol-Free Monthhas cut alcohol from her diet for at least one month each year since 2017.
She always participates in the Dry January campaign, occasionally participates in the Sober October campaign, or chooses a month that suits her to stay away from alcohol.
Sheinbaum says abstaining from alcohol for a month every year has given her many benefits, such as better sleep and glowing skin.
Hilary Sheinbaum, author of “The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month” (Image: CNBC)
Health benefits of reducing alcohol intake
In 2017, after years of working as a reporter on many red carpets, visiting VIP events and open bars, Sheinbaum and a close friend promised each other: no alcohol for a month.
The winner is invited to dinner at the restaurant of his choice, the loser pays the bill.
Sheinbaum won the bet before the 31 days were up, but the free meal wasn’t the only gift she got.
She told CNBC Make It: “I have come to realize how much alcohol has affected my daily life and overall health. Of course I don’t drink every day, but looking back and realizing, I don’t drink alcohol every day. That is really helpful.”
Prior to her first month of abstinence, Sheinbaum attributed her poor sleep to simply irregular work hours, tight schedules, and stress.
“As a busy New Yorker who still uses adrenaline at times, I thought the lack of sleep was simply due to the nature of the job,” she said.
However, giving up alcohol has made a very positive change, from sleeping 4 and a half or 5 hours a night in December, Sheinbaum was able to sleep 7 or 8 hours in the first January “sober” of the year.
“The only thing I have changed is drinking less alcohol” says Sheinbaum. “I’m still working out, still have the same amount of work, and of course it’s the same again.”
She slept well through the night and felt less irritable in the morning.
She woke up feeling fresher than before.
“When you are exhausted, you are less productive and, of course, less happy. It affects your whole day,” she says.
As for general health:
Improved skin health: Within the first 10 days of her first month of sobriety, she noticed a big difference in her skin. She looked “livelier”, her skin was less dry when she cut alcohol from her diet.
Positive mental health for a better financial situation: Buying drinks in town is a very expensive habit to keep up. Sheinbaum was able to save quite a bit by drinking less.
Better diet: Sheinbaum cuts out some empty calories and excess sugar when he’s not drinking. She also finds that she buys much less unhealthy junk food when she’s sober.
“Giving up drinking completely for a month doesn’t mean you can’t hang out or hang out with someone during that time, as cocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks are becoming increasingly popular in bars. and restaurants”Sheinbaum said.
If you are someone who needs to drink regularly, consider choosing a month to quit drinking, maybe January, maybe October, or maybe a month of the year that works best for you.
It’s about how much less alcohol you consume. If you’re not motivated to go it alone, first ask a friend, such as Sheinbaum, to impose a punishment severe enough that you won’t lose. Believe me, you will be really surprised at what you “get back” when you say goodbye to alcohol!
Source: CafeBiz
