While new year’s resolutions come around year after year, this concept of “dry January” is relatively new in the world of wellness evolution. “Dry January” is a health campaign where people choose to abstain from drinking alcohol for the month of January. However, our cocktail glasses are not the only ones feeling extra dry this January. In some regions of the world, the colder weather tends to hit harder in January which leads to a host of issues. Today, we are going to dive into all things “dry January” and how we can work to implement certain aspects of the campaign into the rest of the year.
The Cold Weather and The Connection Between Your Skin and Gut Health
The low humidity that often accompanies cold weather takes the moisture out of one’s skin leaving us feeling dry and at a loss of how to manage. These conditions can potentially exacerbate certain skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema. Luckily, there are some ways we can protect ourselves from the harsh conditions of winter and hopefully come out feeling happier.
First things first, moisturizer! Using moisturizer with hydrating ingredients will act as a barrier to your skin and protect it from the winter elements. Those who are prone to oily skin might only have a light moisturizer at home. While this moisturizer might work perfectly during the summer, the winter can call for a stronger and thicker moisturizer. If you notice that your regular moisturizer is not getting the job done, consider opting for a stronger one. Like with many other wellness items, consistency is key to seeing results. We recommend carrying around a chapstick and hand/face moisturizer in your bag to regularly apply throughout the day.
Hats and scarves are also great items to keep in your bag during the winter. These can act as a physical barrier for your skin and can be especially helpful for those who experience harsh winds in the winter. These clothing items are also a great way of keeping the heat in your body regulated and avoid an afternoon chill.
Lastly, having an at-home humidifier can help to minimize the effects of the colder weather once you step inside your home. The humidifier will add moisture back into the air and will help combat any dryness.
Skin can also be protected from the inside out. A person’s gut microbiome is directly connected to their skin health, meaning that the status of your gut health will directly impact your skin – for worse or for better. Taking your probiotic supplement for bloating is essential in protecting your gut microbiome, and as a result, your skin’s health. Prioritizing a diverse and well-balanced diet filled with gut health enzymes as well as drinking plenty of water are also surefire ways of supporting your gut and skin.
The Impact of Alcohol On One’s Skin and Digestive Health
“Dry January” developed and gained popularity as more and more individuals learned about the health setbacks that alcohol can cause. Alcohol negatively impacts just about all aspects of one’s health including the skin barrier and the gut microbiome.
When a person drinks alcohol, they are dehydrating their body and making it more susceptible to inflammation. These side effects make a person more vulnerable to the irritants in the air which can lead to a compromised skin barrier. When the skin barrier weakens, the skin then struggles to retain moisture leading to redness and irritation. Dehydration can also further exacerbate these issues. If one does choose to consume alcohol, it is crucial to increase water consumption to compensate for the dehydration that will occur. People are also more likely to forget to practice their skin care while under the influence.
Now let’s dive into how alcohol impacts the digestive process. Once the alcohol enters your body, it will impact your gut microbiome leaving your gut wall more permeable and your gut susceptible to taking on harmful bacteria. A change in balance of bacteria leads to inflammation that will start to impact other processes. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause gastritis. Gastritis occurs when the production of mucus gets interrupted and also causes inflammation. Alcohol can cause a person to feel bloated, constipated, and can impact appetite levels.
Due to the wide range of harmful side effects of alcohol, a campaign such as “dry January” definitely has its benefits. However, it is sticking to these beneficial habits that can sometimes become the challenge despite knowing their benefits. Let’s discuss how to transition these healthy habits to the next month and the rest of 2025!
How to Take January’s Lessons and Elevate Your Wellness Routine For The Rest of the Year
1. Acknowledge Your Accomplishments : Reflection is our best friend and can be a great self-care tool. Acknowledging our accomplishments and strides towards our goals are just as important as achieving said goals. Reflection of the journey allows us to understand what worked and what could have gone better during the process of achieving a goal. For example, for those who did participate in “dry January”, are there certain aspects to your journey that you would like to take into the next month to better your relationship with alcohol? Take time to reflect.
2. Quality over Quantity : It can be easy to want to upend all of our unhealthy habits at once, but sometimes this leads to discouragement in the future. Instead, pick a couple habits at a time to focus on. This will help you truly dedicate yourself to these goals and make you more likely to succeed.
3. Find Support : Having a group of friends to rely on is part of the reason why campaigns such as “dry January” are so successful. When you have like-minded people there to motivate you, you are less likely to give up. Find those people in your life that push you to be the best version of yourself. Join online groups or find communities in your local town that offer events that align with your goals.