Your Dry January Glow - Up

Go Alcohol-Free Without Losing the Vibe

As the New Year unfolds, many of us are contemplating hitting reset on habits, energy and wellbeing. If you’re joining the growing wave of people committing to 31 alcohol-free days with Dry January, congratulations. A month off drinking provides a reawakening: clearer energy, sharper focus, better sleep, steady mood, and a reset on your overall health. And yes, you can still enjoy social evenings, laughter, connection and unwinding…sometimes even more so!

Here’s how and why Dry January can be your 2026 lifestyle springboard, and how to do it without giving up fun.

5 Reasons to Go Alcohol-Free

If you’re curious about how different you might feel without alcohol in the mix, you’re not alone. Millions of people take a month off each year and quickly notice shifts they weren’t expecting — from clearer mornings to a calmer mind. Here are some of the most common (and well-studied) benefits you might experience.

1. Long-term health protection

Alcohol plays a major role in many long-term health issues in the U.S., including liver disease, cancer risk and cardiovascular strain. Excessive drinking contributes to roughly 178,000 deaths per year in the U.S., making it one of the country’s leading preventable causes of death¹. Taking even a month-long break gives your liver — and the rest of your body — a real chance to recover from the oxidative stress and toxins that alcohol creates.

2. Better sleep, more energy, and improved mood

One of the first things people notice? Better sleep. Within just a few alcohol-free days, many report falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, and waking up more refreshed².

That deeper rest rolls into the daytime: more energy, steadier mood, sharper focus and productivity — all helping you feel more like yourself³.

3. Healthier body composition and easier weight management

Alcohol contains “empty” calories and can increase appetite while disrupting metabolism and sleep. It’s a recipe for weight gain or bloating for many people⁴. Skip it for a month and you may notice reduced puffiness, easier weight control, and a leaner, more rested look².

4. Better blood pressure and smoother blood sugar

Regular drinking, especially frequent or heavy drinking, is linked to elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance, and blood sugar instability5,6,7. These are all early markers for inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and metabolic issues.

The good news: several studies show that even one month off alcohol can lead to improved blood pressure, better glucose control, and more favorable long-term health markers⁸.

Regular alcohol intake, especially heavy or frequent drinking, is linked to raised blood pressure, insulin resistance and blood sugar dysregulation5,6,7. These all set the scene for inflammation, heart disease and diabetes. According to various reports, even a single month off alcohol can lead to measurable reductions in blood pressure, better sugar balance, and improvements in markers linked to long-term disease risk8.

5. Renewed energy, calmer mood, clearer head

Alcohol can interfere with neurotransmitters, hydration and circadian rhythms, which explains why it can contribute to mood swings, fatigue, brain-fog, and low motivation⁹¹⁰. Taking a break gives your brain space to recalibrate. Many people experience steadier moods, better resilience, clearer thinking, and even a sense of rediscovering their natural personality and preferences¹¹. 

A Month Without Drinking - Research Findings

A study carried out by the University of Sussex12  involving more than 1,000 people who avoided alcohol for a month, found that:

• 93% had a sense of achievement

• 88% saved money

• 70% had generally improved health

• 71% slept better

• 67% had more energy

• 58% lost weight

• 57% had better concentration

• 54% had better skin 

How to do Dry January Without Cracking

You don’t have to swap house parties for early bedtimes. With a little creativity (and a glass of Do’Mo in hand) Dry January can feel achievable, social and restorative.

• Choose your alternatives: stock up on your favourite Do’Mo flavor or grab a couple of Do’Mo variety packs. If you get caught out, think sparkling water with fresh citrus slices and herbal teas, all widely available. 
  

• Reframe social outings: plan evenings around an activity rather than just drinking. A walk, a game night, live music or a comedy show, these can be as fun, more grounded, and often more memorable.
  

• Be honest (and proud): mention to friends you’re doing Dry January as a reset, many will admire your decision, some might join in. Peer support helps.

Do’Mo can easily slot in as your “go-to” non-alcoholic ritual. The functional ingredients work together to lift your energy and mood and create a relaxed and positive vibe, all of which help smooth the transition from alcohol and ease you into your commitment. So you’re not just “not drinking,” but actively upgrading how you feel.

Top Tips to Maintain Dry January Momentum

• Hydrate — a lot. Alcohol is dehydrating; when you stop, your body rehydrates. Carry a reusable water bottle. Hydration supports skin, digestion, brain function and mood.

• Prioritise sleep routine. Hold a consistent bedtime; dim lights after dark; avoid screens one hour before sleep. Zero alcohol means your sleep quality dramatically improves.

• Move your body daily. Take your pick - hikes, yoga, stretching, dancing, dog-walks. Movement helps your body clear toxins through your circulatory and lymphatic system 

• Nourish yourself well. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Lots of fibre, colorful vegetables, lean proteins, good fats. Your energy and skin will thank you.

• Reflect, journal or meditate. Use the extra mental clarity for self-connection. Journaling, gratitude lists, planning. This is a great time to learn more about what you want from life.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Dry January as a Wellness Launchpad

Dry January is a time of rediscovery. Think of it as a reset button for your body, mind and lifestyle. A chance to see what life feels like with clear sleep, fresh energy, stable mood and sharper focus.

And if you’re using Do’Mo, as your evening wind-down, mood supporter, and daily wellness ally, you’re gaining more than just skipping alcohol: you’re building a new baseline for how great sober-living can feel.

So here’s to January 1st: to new rhythms, restored clarity, and a happier, healthier “you.”

Susie Perry

References:

1. Facts About U.S. Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use. https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/facts-stats/index.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

2. Ballard J. What is Dry January? Br J Gen Pract. 2016 Jan;66(642):32. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4684010/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

3. Mehta G, Macdonald S, Cronberg A, Rosselli M, Khera-Butler T, Sumpter C, Al-Khatib S, Jain A, Maurice J, Charalambous C, Gander A, Ju C, Hakan T, Sherwood R, Nair D, Jalan R, Moore KP. Short-term abstinence from alcohol and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, liver function tests and cancer-related growth factors: a prospective observational study. BMJ Open. 2018 May 5;8(5):e020673. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5942469/

4. Traversy G, Chaput JP. Alcohol Consumption and Obesity: An Update. Curr Obes Rep. 2015 Mar;4(1):122-30. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4338356/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

5. Tasnim S, Tang C, Musini VM, Wright JM. Effect of alcohol on blood pressure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Jul 1;7(7):CD012787. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8130994/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

6. Kim SJ, Kim DJ. Alcoholism and diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab J. 2012 Apr;36(2):108-15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3335891/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

7. Choi S, Park T, Je Y. Long-term alcohol consumption and incident health risk conditions related to cardiometabolic risk markers: A 20-year prospective cohort study. Addiction. 2025 Sep;120(9):1840-1852. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12319665/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

8. Mehta G, Macdonald S, Cronberg A, Rosselli M, Khera-Butler T, Sumpter C, Al-Khatib S, Jain A, Maurice J, Charalambous C, Gander A, Ju C, Hakan T, Sherwood R, Nair D, Jalan R, Moore KP. Short-term abstinence from alcohol and changes in cardiovascular risk factors, liver function tests and cancer-related growth factors: a prospective observational study. BMJ Open. 2018 May 5;8(5):e020673. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29730627/

9. Valenzuela CF. Alcohol and neurotransmitter interactions. Alcohol Health Res World. 1997;21(2):144-8. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6826822/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

10. Colrain IM, Nicholas CL, Baker FC. Alcohol and the sleeping brain. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;125:415-31. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5821259/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

11. de Visser RO, Piper R. Short- and Longer-Term Benefits of Temporary Alcohol Abstinence During 'Dry January' Are Not Also Observed Among Adult Drinkers in the General Population: Prospective Cohort Study. Alcohol Alcohol. 2020 Jun 25;55(4):433-438.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32391879/

12. https://www.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/47131-how-dry-january-is-the-secret-to-better-sleep-saving-money-and-losing-weight