{"id":2688,"date":"2026-03-19T08:46:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T15:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/19\/how-dry-january-improved-my-mental-health-and-my-health\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T19:03:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T02:03:46","slug":"how-dry-january-improved-my-mental-health-and-my-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/19\/how-dry-january-improved-my-mental-health-and-my-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How Dry January Improved My Mental Health and My Health"},"content":{"rendered":"


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At the beginning of the year, I had this whole list in my head<\/span> <\/span>about benefits<\/span> <\/span>of<\/span> D<\/span>ry January: lose a few pounds, sleep better, get those bright white eyes that everyone raves about. Level<\/span> <\/span>the results you think you will get if you abstain from alcohol for a month. But I would have known; my body<\/span> <\/span>another thing in mind. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In fact, the real reasons are more complex. Alcohol runs in my family.<\/span> <\/span>I went<\/span> <\/span>I never thought I had a problem, but from time to time, you need to check yourself and take a step back.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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My mother died at the age of fifty-seven. He<\/span> <\/span>he couldn’t<\/span> <\/span>he took care of himself the way he needed to\u2014doing the hard things to make his life and his life better. It was hard to do that<\/span> <\/span>witness<\/span> <\/span>like a small child.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There<\/span> <\/span>it wasn’t like that<\/span> <\/span>I could do a lot to change that trajectory. I swore that<\/span> <\/span>I won’t<\/span> <\/span>it happened to me. So I create ways to check in and prioritize my brain health. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I went<\/span> <\/span>I’ve done Dry January before, so I knew I could do it. What I have noticed this time is that doing all or nothing is easier for me than trying to balance.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That “monkey on my back” everyone talks about is real. to me,<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>and the mental bandwidth to decide. Should I drink tonight? How many are right? Am I worth it after this week? If you do nothing, all that wondering goes away. It turned out to be January<\/span> <\/span>easy way<\/span> <\/span>than “Damp January”<\/span> <\/span>would be<\/span> <\/span>be. Proving that to me is always worth it. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But<\/span> <\/span>there is<\/span> <\/span>more on this now. I was recently tested for the Alzheimer’s gene, as it runs in my family, and I had brain fog between<\/span> <\/span>he couldn’t<\/span> <\/span>kick. I found out that I carry one copy of the APOE gene, which puts me at a 25% higher risk of dementia!<\/span> <\/span>That’s it<\/span> <\/span>when the health of my brain becomes more important to me. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I know alcohol is not good for the brain and body, but<\/span> <\/span>i am<\/span> <\/span>and not<\/span> <\/span>ready<\/span> <\/span>giving up that glass of wine altogether. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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These<\/span> <\/span>scheduled breaks from alcohol<\/span> <\/span>there is<\/span> <\/span>I will be a part of my life going forward. Not deprivation. Protection. I want to enjoy it<\/span> <\/span>life;<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span> <\/span>I still want<\/span> <\/span>going to the occasional happy hour<\/span> <\/span>outside<\/span> <\/span>the case. But this is my 80\/20 trade-off. Take care of my mind most of the time so that I can know<\/span> <\/span>I hugged you<\/span> <\/span>those times when i choose<\/span> <\/span>indulgence.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Here it is<\/span> <\/span>side note.<\/span> <\/span>Getting my significant other to do this with me makes all the difference. I’ve been through football games and birthday parties, all those times there<\/span> <\/span>you<\/span> <\/span>one who does not drink. But if<\/span> <\/span>there<\/span> <\/span>be<\/span> <\/span>drinking<\/span> <\/span>in my house?<\/span> <\/span>That would be more<\/span> <\/span>challenge.<\/span> <\/span>(Like<\/span> <\/span>i<\/span> <\/span>open bag of<\/span> <\/span>chips<\/span> <\/span>you try not to<\/span> <\/span>eat.)<\/span> <\/span>So,<\/span> <\/span>thank you, dear.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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He says he<\/span> <\/span>he didn’t<\/span> <\/span>I really like it, but he did it for me. Secretly, I think<\/span> <\/span>he<\/span> <\/span>he is proud of himself<\/span> <\/span>for<\/span> <\/span>be the person who does it<\/span> <\/span>Dry January. Not because<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>hard, but it takes dedication and going out of your way to do things differently. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Here it is<\/span> <\/span>what<\/span> <\/span>caught me off guard\u2014take that end-of-the-day or Friday glass of wine<\/span> <\/span>at night<\/span> <\/span>wind down, and your brain immediately starts hunting for a replacement.<\/span> <\/span>What<\/span> <\/span>reward? I<\/span> <\/span>find out<\/span> <\/span>must-have treatment at the end of the long term,<\/span> <\/span>a week of hard work. Yes, there are other ways<\/span> <\/span>a gift<\/span> <\/span>yourself, like him<\/span> <\/span>self care,<\/span> <\/span>etc. But<\/span> <\/span>you<\/span> <\/span>sitting on the couch and watching a movie together (he doesn’t go out).<\/span> <\/span>I never expected mine<\/span> <\/span>to walk<\/span> <\/span>so crazy<\/span> <\/span>sugar.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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i am<\/span> <\/span>a salty person. It was always like that. Cheese and bread on top of dessert every time (except for dark chocolate, of course). But this month I was craving sweets like crazy.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Watching my reward system shake that dopamine hit was fascinating and terrifying. Proof that these patterns are more addictive than we think.<\/span> <\/span>And that when sugar is in your system, you want more. They say sugar is more addictive than cocaine.<\/span> <\/span>Now I understand. <\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Scale?<\/span> <\/span>It went up. Just a few pounds,<\/span> <\/span>again<\/span> <\/span>i am<\/span> <\/span>don’t worry<\/span> <\/span>it, but<\/span> <\/span>Come on. Here I am doing the “healthy thing,” too<\/span> <\/span>i am<\/span> <\/span>to gain weight.<\/span> <\/span>I was a little insulted, to be<\/span> <\/span>honest,<\/span> <\/span>again<\/span> <\/span>he didn’t<\/span> <\/span>like it’s right. But between the sugar, more sitting on the couch,<\/span> <\/span>and loss of appetite suppressing alcohol,<\/span> <\/span>my body had other ideas.<\/span> <\/span>Now I know. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I would say the worst part was the hormonal acne I got on my chin and jawline. I thought this was from getting all the “bad” stuff out of my body, but what could be so bad to deserve this? Maybe it<\/span> <\/span>was the increase in sugar consumption? I’m officially menopausal after eight years on a rollercoaster of symptoms (including skin issues), and this is what I get\u2014zits that hurt like I was a teenager.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I had to ask Claude what the real answer was. He said that when you stop drinking, your liver can suddenly focus on excreting those excess hormones\u2014including estrogen metabolites and androgens. This can cause a temporary surge as your body processes what it has been supporting, which can cause breakouts, especially deep cystic hormonal acne around the jaw and chin.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Well, there you have it. I think I’m happy to clean the house, but it’s hard on the pale winter days.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This is the fun part. What was found<\/span> <\/span>better? <\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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SLEEP!<\/span> <\/span>Sleeping was a completely different experience. It’s not just easy sleep\u2014I mean deep, refreshing\u2014morning sleep. My Oura ring loved me.<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span> <\/span>accepted<\/span> <\/span>My highest sleep spine since I started tracking over a year ago. Ninety one,<\/span> <\/span>again<\/span> <\/span>even a crown<\/span> <\/span>next to it! <\/span>My HRV is logged<\/span> <\/span>which is correct<\/span> <\/span>balance\u2014what do you say?<\/span> <\/span>That doesn’t happen. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The inflammatory changes were remarkable. It’s not too hard, it’s a little swollen\u2014my rings are falling off. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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That<\/span> <\/span>in the morning<\/span> <\/span>firmness<\/span> <\/span>I would like to<\/span> <\/span>I am listed as being in my fifties?<\/span> <\/span>Mostly gone<\/span> <\/span>unless the weather changes.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The night sweats decreased and almost stopped. Those 3 am winds where you play and all the talk and stress about the future? Done. The mind wandering that used to wake me up again at 4 am just stopped. I got up to pee but I managed to go back to sleep. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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My lymphatic system finally got some consistent attention, not just the liver.<\/span> <\/span>I went<\/span> <\/span>done lymphatic massage for years and dry brushing when I remember, but<\/span> <\/span>I would like to<\/span> <\/span>never stick to massaging yourself. This month I do it every day\u2014a gentle circle and tap along the collarbone, neck, underarms, stomach, and behind the knees.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Our lymphatic system<\/span> <\/span>this is not the case<\/span> <\/span>have a pump like a heart; requires movement and manual assistance. I might<\/span> <\/span>actually hearing<\/span> <\/span>the difference in the way my body eliminated things. My mental fog was thin,<\/span> <\/span>strength<\/span> <\/span>better,<\/span> <\/span>and I was very focused. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Another bonus was<\/span> <\/span>Mondays stopped resetting.<\/span> <\/span>I<\/span> <\/span>it was<\/span> <\/span>structure<\/span> <\/span>over<\/span> <\/span>the week before this instead of continuing and starting over. I noticed<\/span> <\/span>it<\/span> <\/span>the majority<\/span> <\/span>in mine<\/span> <\/span>yoga<\/span> <\/span>practice.<\/span> <\/span>I had better balance too<\/span> <\/span>increased<\/span> <\/span>stiffness, and I felt<\/span> <\/span>there is power in<\/span> <\/span>all classes. I was creating real momentum instead of retreating<\/span> <\/span>all of them<\/span> <\/span>Monday<\/span> <\/span>to recover.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Maybe mine<\/span> <\/span>his favorite surprise was to stop the war against the power of January’s hibernation. Instead of<\/span> <\/span>i think i should do it<\/span> <\/span>programs, go<\/span> <\/span>come out, and sit down<\/span> <\/span>until my body wants, I<\/span> <\/span>with joy<\/span> <\/span>he relaxed with a book by the fire<\/span> <\/span>again<\/span> <\/span>he didn’t<\/span> <\/span>think twice about it. My dog \u200b\u200bloved it<\/span> <\/span>it,<\/span> <\/span>again!<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It<\/span> <\/span>it wasn’t like that<\/span> <\/span>about being<\/span> <\/span>without alcohol. It was about removing the social pressure caused by alcohol. Except for that glass of wine<\/span> <\/span>saying,<\/span> <\/span>“Let’s continue,” I said<\/span> <\/span>he obeyed<\/span> <\/span>to what my body wants. It turned out that it wanted to<\/span> <\/span>rest.<\/span> <\/span>Sleep.<\/span> <\/span>Permission to be<\/span> <\/span>in the middle<\/span> <\/span>a minute<\/span> <\/span>and be cold.<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I will<\/span> <\/span>go back to socializing again at night for sure. But this month reminded me that my body was trying to tell me something, and I need to listen with more intention.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now that<\/span> <\/span>is<\/span> <\/span>February (as I write this),<\/span> <\/span>I will<\/span> <\/span>enjoy that first glass of wine (think good Burgundy and steak). But<\/span> <\/span>i am<\/span> <\/span>moving forward with more awareness. About my patterns, what my body is telling me, what<\/span> <\/span>it actually helps<\/span> <\/span>against what I think should help you.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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i am<\/span> <\/span>thinking about rewards in a different way\u2014which feels good again <\/i>good for me, not just a quick dopamine fix. Although those are fun sometimes too.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This<\/span> <\/span>it wasn’t like that<\/span> <\/span>just<\/span> <\/span>about well-being<\/span> <\/span>check boxes. Because<\/span> <\/span>i am<\/span> <\/span>always do that.<\/span> <\/span>It was<\/span> <\/span>More<\/span> <\/span>about understanding my reward system, seeing inflammation<\/span> <\/span>and inequality<\/span> <\/span>I would like to<\/span> <\/span>general, and learning sometimes from which the best ideas come<\/span> <\/span>doing less not more.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now that I have that information? I get to decide what to do with it and build on it.<\/span> <\/span>That’s it<\/span> <\/span>where the real power is\u2014I’m not holding back but I’m in the middle<\/span> <\/span>to know<\/span> <\/span>what<\/span> <\/span>what is happening in my body. It makes me want to make better decisions. Not because I “have to,” but because I care about my sanity,<\/span> <\/span>me too<\/span> <\/span>I want to protect it for years to come. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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About Christine Despress<\/h3>\n

Christine is an RN, board-certified health and wellness coach and board-certified dementia therapist who has spent thirty-plus years in healthcare advancing her passion: helping middle-aged women create a brain-healthy lifestyle to sharpen their minds, increase self-confidence, and feel motivated for their next chapter. To find out more about her work, visit her site, The Wellness Navigator. You can also find him on Instagram. If you want personal insight. take the Brain Health Quiz, Why Does Everything Make More Sense After 40? It takes two minutes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Do you see an error or an error? Please contact us so we can fix it!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At the beginning of the year, I had this whole list in my head about benefits of Dry January: lose a few pounds, sleep better, get those bright white eyes that everyone raves about. Level the results you think you will get if you abstain from alcohol for a month. But I would have known; […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2688","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mental-health-self-care"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2688"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2690,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions\/2690"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wiki-living.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}