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If your 2023 resolutions involve alcohol, you might be thinking about Dry January—but is Dry January right for you?
At the start of a new year, it’s hard to avoid the whole “new year, new me” mentality. Between the ads all over social media and the constant talk of self-improvement, it’s enough to make anyone question their routines.
Don’t get us wrong, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes taking a hard look at our everyday choices is exactly what we need to improve our physical and mental wellness. Whether that’s developing a healthier relationship with food, making more time for loved ones, or even (gasp!) reducing your alcohol intake.
You might be surprised to hear US talk about drinking less alcohol. However, if you’ve been part of the SECCO Wine Club for a while, you’ll know that we generally opt for moderation over excess. But with all the digital chatter about new years resolutions, it’s a great time to look at your alcohol consumption.
What is Dry January and Is It Right For You?
If you’re perfectly happy with your alcohol consumption, then feel free to keep doing what you’re doing! We’re not here to shame anyone or to convince anyone to drink more or less than they’re comfortable with. Since many of us tend to overindulge during the holidays, however, giving your body a break in January definitely has its perks.
Dry January is essentially just the practice of completely avoiding alcohol during the first month of the year. While the initial practice started as a way to raise awareness and treatment options for alcohol abuse, today it’s a common practice for those simply trying to drink less and reset after the excesses of the holiday months.
Even if your holidays didn’t involve heavy or binge drinking, giving your body a break after any sort of increase in alcoholic consumption may improve your physical and/or mental wellness. Just make sure you fully understand WHY you want to participate in Dry January, so you’re more likely to fully commit.
Everything in Moderation, Including Moderation
If you don’t feel like completely abstaining from alcohol is necessary for you, then simply practicing moderation is a phenomenal option. Plus, this allows you to still get the antioxidants (and delicious flavor) from wine that you love.
Essentially, practicing moderation when it comes to alcohol just means setting a reasonable limit for yourself and choosing not to consume alcohol after that point. Here are a few ideas to help you stay on track:
Stick with wine or keep it neat.
This strategy requires sipping instead of chugging, it helps avoid sugary additions that can mask the taste of alcohol, and it’s easier to determine the exact amount of alcohol you’re ingesting.
Stay hydrated and don’t forget to eat.
When you’re drinking water, you’re not drinking alcohol. Plus, getting into the habit of staying hydrated will simply improve your overall health and make it easier for you to develop a good relationship with alcohol. Same with food! Having food in your stomach will keep the alcohol from influencing you too quickly. If that happens, it’s sometimes harder to say no to that second drink.
Drink high-quality alcohol
Whether you’re drinking wine or spirits, opting for high-quality versions has several benefits. If you’re at a bar or restaurant, these options are generally a bit more expensive. This can help deter you from drinking too much. Plus, high-quality alcohol is usually made from better-quality ingredients.
Make a plan and stick with it
Telling yourself that you’ll have “one drink” is very different from “I won’t drink a lot.” The latter is too ambiguous and leaves room for interpretation, whereas the former is specific. Whether you’re drinking at home or out with friends, make a plan and stick with it.
Keep Your Routine and Just Swap Your Wine With Low ABV Options
For those who enjoy an occasional drink with friends but who still want to reduce their alcohol consumption, switching to beverages with a lower ABV is the easiest way to go.
This is also a really fun experiment for wine lovers to try! Low-alcohol white wine, for example, is crisp and delicate. Without overpowering alcohol levels, you’ll be able to experience their lighter fruity, citrus, or floral flavors. A low-alcohol red wine, on the other hand, won’t have the intense heat of its higher-ABV counterparts, but you’ll still pick up on its complex flavors.
You also won’t miss out on any antioxidants by switching to low-alcohol wines since these compounds aren’t necessarily dependent on alcohol content. Often the prevalence of polyphenols depends on the region of the vineyard, when the grapes are picked, and how the wine is made.
Lastly, for anyone who struggles with moderation, switching to low-alcohol beverages is an easy way to cut out alcohol without feeling like you’re missing out.
Indulge in 2023 With Moderation and Low-Alcohol Wine
Because our low-carb wines naturally have less sugar, many of them are naturally lower in alcohol as well. Rest assured, however, that they still have all the beautiful body and flavor that you know and love.
If you’re ready to get started today, consider joining SECCO Wine Club so you can try several low-carb wines. Having wine delivered right to your door is the safest, easiest way to sample a variety of wines so you can see which ones fit your tastes and your goals.
