Are you doing Dry January?
Abstaining from alcohol for the month of January?
Last year 17,000 of us (well, that’s you, not me) stopped drinking for a month according to Alcohol Concern – will there be more this year?
I’ve been weighing up the pros and cons whilst still drinking a glass here and there and I’ve come to the conclusion that January is the WORST month of the year to give up any of those things that can kill you. Life is depressing enough with it being cold and dark and gloomy, with nothing to look forward to and lots of relationship break ups (look out for Blue Monday next week guys!). Then, when we fail to meet all our other resolution targets in a few days time, what are we going to do to cheer ourselves up if we can’t have a drink? And it’s so BORING to just drink squash and water – WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU DRINK?
The one thing that did nearly put me off was doing this “Booze Calculator” just before Christmas where I appeared to be marginally off scale with my drinking nationality being a combination of Russian, Croatian and French which probably does not make for an attractive “over the limit” type character.
So why bother? Yes we might have a bit less liver fat and weight loss, but it shouldn’t be about a quick fix. Some leading liver doctors suggest that two alcohol free days a week is better for your health than merely abstaining in January and then caning it for the rest of the year.
If you look at all the positive outcomes for women that some studies have shown like improved rate at which bodies burn fat (therefore LESS weight not more), a boost in brainpower in moderate drinkers (really?) and a reduction in the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and strokes as well as a vastly improved sex life (I just made that one up – but I can see that it would probably help relax you..). ALSO wine is supposed to lower the risk of heart attacks by up to 50% mainly in men (owing to improved sex life I bet) – although the medical explanation is something to do with phenolic compounds which may lower cholesterol and reduce blood clotting.
Personally I’m thinking of flying off to New Zealand to tour around sauvignon blanc country – I’m quite sure that would be the best tonic ever for us all. Or failing that go and visit one of our own home grown vineyards (especially my friends one?? More of that soon)…
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6 Comments
What a great idea Lucy! Not about giving up alcohol, but about visiting a home grown vineyard. We start our Vineyard Tours again at Rathfinny in March offering a small group of 16, personal visits to the vineyard and new winery, with either a Winemaker’s Lunch or a delicious tea. Perfect! Check out our Visit Us tab on the website, http://www.rathfinnyestate.com, or ring the Gun Room on 01323 870022. Makes a great gift too for those that are hard to buy for. S
I would LOVE to get a group together to do that. Lets discuss. Lx
Buggered if I’m doing ‘dry’ this month; weather and general ‘time of the year’ far too grim for all that. I am trying to keep it within limits though!
If you do organise a group to Rathfinny ….put my name down.
x
OK will do!! You’ll love it x
maybe I should stop being tea total and start drinking moderately a couple of days a week.
Oh blimey, I don’t want to be responsible for forcing you to start drinking!! Sure you are WAY more healthy than the rest of us. Lx