Overlooked Dry January benefit is 'unsexy' but can 'transform your life,' according to TV doctor
A record-breaking number of people are expected to ditch the booze this year as part of Dry January. The month-long alcohol abstinence challenge has grown in popularity every year over the last decade and comes with a host of benefits, from saving money to losing weight and giving you the time to nurture relationships with loved ones.
However, there are parts of the 30-day initiative that aren't so glamorous. And a leading TV doctor has said that one overlooked benefit of Dry January is "unsexy" but can "transform your life".
Former Love Island contestant Dr Alex George, who is teetotal, has waded in on the topic, assuring people to embrace every aspect of the challenge.
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"One of the biggest benefits of going alcohol free which I feel we don't talk about as much as money and other things because it's not as sexy is being at peace," the 32-year-old explained to his 1million TikTok followers.
"Genuinely feeling a sense of peace is one of the best things about being alcohol free... for so much of our life, we think we're chasing happiness and we're actually just chasing peace.
"We don't want to be anxious - we want to be calm in the moment, we want to be present in our lives, we want to be able to enjoy the things that come along, deal with the challenges. Being alcohol free just gives you so much more of that. You don't have the hangxiety... or state of unease you have the days after alcohol consumption."
The Welsh native urged fellow teetotallers to "hone in on how you feel when you're in a steady state" whether that's sitting at home on the sofa, in bed, or at your work desk, and pay close attention to how you feel.
"Do you feel calm? At ease?" Dr George asked. "Monitor that over the next few days and weeks and see how it changes. I'm pretty sure that you will see a positive correlation of time alcohol free and degree of peace."
Followers couldn't get enough of Dr Alex's insight. One person commented: "I've only been alcohol free for nine days and I have already lived more this year than last," while another penned: "Dude, completely agree!"
A third scribed: "THIS!!! 12 years sober and I would do it all over again!" while a fourth said: "So much more peace in the last 75 days."
It comes after experts revealed their top tips for completing Dry January - especially if none of your friends are doing it. Navigating a social life during sobriety can also be daunting, but between using alcohol-free drinks and not being afraid to make a quick exit if the night is getting too much for you, there are many options to stay on track.
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