After eating, drinking and being merry over Christmas, and with January 1 being considered a fresh start for many, a number of us have pledged to do Dry January.
The challenge, first introduced by Alcohol Change UK in 2013, is exactly as its name suggests. You don't consume any alcohol whatsoever for the month of January.
Campaigners say 31 days of sobriety can be a "total reset for the body and mind", with a whole list of benefits. Alcohol Change UK says it's about you "taking a break, living better and feeling better".
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And health experts have shared a number of ways the body and mind improve after just two weeks of not drinking. If you've stuck to Dry January so far, here are all the benefits you've given yourself.
Better sleep
The Priory Group, which offers addiction treatment programmes among other services, says by now you will have are likely to be sleeping better, which in turn means you'll be more productive, and more in control of your emotions.
Hydration and gut health
You should also feel more hydrated, as when you consume alcohol you lose around four times as much liquid as what you actually drank. And as alcohol is an irritant to the stomach lining, after a fortnight you will also see a reduction in symptoms such as reflux where the stomach acid burns your throat.
Weight loss
Weight loss is another symptom commonly reported by those who stop drinking. This is because alcohol is full of empty calories, and intoxication and hangovers tend to lead us towards less healthy food choices.
Improved mental health
You'll likely feel a bit brighter now than when you last had a drink. This is because alcohol is a depressant, and research shows that people who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems.
Most people who have consumed alcohol have experienced "hangxiety", This is caused, to put it simply, by a chemical imbalance created by the alcohol.
When you drink, your brain is lulled into an artificial chilled out state, but to counteract this the next day, your anxiety levels will spike.
Alcohol Change UK says there are plenty more benefits to come if you last the entire month. These include better skin, lower cholesterol, a boosted immune system, and even a lower risk of developing certain cancers.
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