Every new year is an opportunity to turn over a new leaf, and for many people, that turns into a relationship reassessment with alcohol. To that end, enter Dry January, a public health initiative aimed at abstaining from alcohol during the entire month. While not easy, some of the benefits are so worth it that you may find yourself wanting to repeat this journey annually.

Whether you are sober-curious, looking for a health reboot, or just seeking a fresh start, Dry January offers a unique opportunity to explore the impact of an alcohol-free life.

What Is Dry January?

Launched in 2012 by Alcohol Change UK, Dry January began as a public health campaign to promote sobriety for 31 days. It has since grown into a global phenomenon, with millions participating annually.

It is not only for those with alcohol dependency but for those looking to cut back, reassess their habits, or experience the benefits of being free from alcohol. Indeed, recent studies take away the long-held beliefs that moderate drinking is good for one's health and emphasize the dangers of drinking, such as liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and increased cancer risks.

What to Expect When You Stop Drinking Alcohol

Giving up alcohol can have profound effects on your body and mind. However, the first few days may feel like an uphill battle, especially if you’re accustomed to regular drinking.

You might experience symptoms similar to a hangover: headaches, fatigue, and irritability. These symptoms generally fade after three to seven days, replaced by noticeable improvements in energy levels and mood.

Studies show several advantages of not drinking alcohol, even for a short time. Among the most common improvements:

Better Sleep: Alcohol interferes with your sleep cycles, causing fragmented, restless nights. A 2016 study found that 62% of Dry January participants reported improved sleep quality.

Weight Loss: Alcohol is calorie-dense, and skipping your evening drink can cut significant calories. A British study highlighted notable weight loss among participants who abstained for a month.

Clearer Skin: Alcohol can dehydrate your skin, exacerbate conditions like psoriasis, and increase sun sensitivity. Taking a break from drinking can lead to a healthier, more radiant complexion.

Tips To Start Dry January

For many, the toughest part of Dry January is not giving up alcohol itself but the social situations where alcohol is an apparent lubricant. From happy hours to family gatherings, it feels like that glass of wine or beer can be a part of the scene. Here are a few ways to keep your resolve intact:

1. Have a Non-Alcoholic Alternative

Keep sparkling water, soda, or mocktails on hand. Many brands now offer non-alcoholic beers and wines, but be mindful of added sugars.

2. BYOB - Bring Your Own Drinks

Bring your favorite soft drink along while attending an event to save you from the temptation.

3. Be Proud About Your Goals

If people ask why you are not drinking, explain the reason behind your decision confidently. Most of the people will appreciate and even envy your commitment to abstinence.

4. Enlist Support

Getting support from a friend or family member can make it less lonely and more enjoyable

Also Read: Alarming Reality Of Extreme Drinking On Holidays And Occasions

Moderation Vs Abstinence

It is difficult to determine whether one needs to reduce or completely cut out alcohol from their life. Moderation can work for people with mild habits, but for those who have a history of alcohol dependency, abstinence becomes the safer, more sustainable choice.

Ask yourself:

- Do you often drink more than you intended?

- Does alcohol interfere with your relationships, responsibilities, or hobbies?

- Do you turn to booze when you're stressed or feeling lonely?

If you've ever felt physical withdrawal symptoms of shakiness or irritability when you didn't drink for a day, talk to your healthcare provider for help.

Some Tips for Having a Successful Dry January

Making it through Dry January takes both preparation and discipline. Here are some tips that can help:

Reward Yourself

Sober treats await when milestones are reached-a good spa day, a new book, time with nature- to name just a few.

Be Patient With Slip-Ups

When slip-ups happen, do not abandon the challenge. Rather, renew yourself for a new day's approach.

When to Seek Help

Dry January may throw light upon a deeper issue concerning alcohol intake. Some mild symptoms include headache and nausea; more dangerous symptoms such as hallucination, increased heart rate, or a fever signal an extreme level of dependency, in which the subject should see a doctor.

If alcohol severely influences your mental and physical condition, seek counseling or attend meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous. According to a client's situation, treatments and programs can be implemented to address the issue of alcohol dependency.

While Dry January is a 31-day commitment, its benefits often ripple into other areas of life. Many participants report continuing reduced drinking habits throughout the year. Whether you choose to abstain completely or moderate your intake, this initiative can be the foundation of a healthier lifestyle.

Disclaimer: If alcohol is impacting your well-being or causing distress, it’s important to seek professional medical guidance. Support options such as counseling, medication, and community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous can provide valuable assistance on your journey. Additionally, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism offers extensive resources to help individuals reduce or quit alcohol consumption effectively.

2023 NSDUH Detailed Tables. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 2023

FIND YOUR WAY TO QUALITY ALCOHOL TREATMENT. NIH.

Dry January® challenge? Alcohol Change UK

Sleep is one of the most important pillars of health. How much you sleep, what times as well as how well you sleep are things that heavily affect your body and lifestyle. Many people think sleep is something they can always recover from. Stayed up too late but still going to work early in the morning? Or you slept on time but woke up due to some issue, making you unable to sleep the rest of the night. These are issues we have all faced, and we figure that we’ll sleep when our day ends.

However, this is not an issue to be taken lightly, as researchers found that lack of sleep can essentially shorten your lifespan.

A 2025 study published in Springer Nature Link have found a clear link between how long you sleep and your risk of dying. They say there's a "golden window" of two hours that most people should aim for to stay healthy and avoid bad consequences. To figure this out, scientists looked at almost 80 past studies, which included information from over two million people, giving them a lot of data to understand sleep patterns better.

Dangers of Too Much (or Too Little) Sleep

The research shows risks for both sleeping too little and sleeping too much. If you regularly sleep for more than nine hours each night, you could face a 34% higher risk of death. On the other hand, those who sleep for less than seven hours faced a 14% increased risk of dying. This ideal sleep range matches what health groups like the NHS suggest for most healthy adults, though it's noted that everyone's needs can be a bit different based on things like age.

Why Long Sleep Might Be a Warning Sign

The study's authors, from a university in Hungary, think that sleeping too much might actually be a sign of hidden health problems. For example, if someone has a heart issue that hasn't been found yet, it could make them feel extra tired, causing them to sleep more. This means the higher risk isn't just from the sleep itself, but possibly from an underlying sickness. Interestingly, women who slept over nine hours had an even higher risk – 41% greater – compared to women who got a normal amount of sleep.

Perfect Amount: 7 to 8 Hours

After looking at all that information from millions of people, the research strongly points to sleeping between seven and eight hours as the best amount for staying healthy. This time seems to be just right for your body and mind to rest and work well. However, the researchers did notice that different studies on long sleep times sometimes showed slightly different results. This means we might need more research to fully understand all the ways sleeping too much can affect our health and specific causes of death.

Why Good Sleep Matters for Everything

A good night's sleep is absolutely essential and does much more than just make you feel rested. It helps your mental health, gives you enough physical energy for your day, and keeps your brain sharp so you can think and focus clearly. Health experts also warn that ongoing sleep problems can negatively affect your relationships, social life, and even simple daily tasks. These continuous issues can make you feel constantly tired, lead to eating more, and make you less productive at work or school.

Can You Recover Lost Sleep?

Recovering lost sleep is not as simple as you may think it is. The more hours you lose, the more you accumulate sleep debt. Sleep debt, according to the Sleep Foundation, is the difference between the amount of sleep you need and how much you are actually getting.

While short naps (10-20 minutes) can refresh you, and sleeping in on weekends might feel good, they often aren't enough for true recovery. Research shows it can take four days to bounce back from just one hour of lost sleep, and even longer to fully erase "sleep debt" and restore your body's normal function. Your brain needs more than a weekend to recover fully from ongoing sleep restriction.

Celebrities go through extreme amounts of scrutiny, constantly living under pressure and having to stomach all their personal feelings in order to continue their work. Olivia Munn is no stranger to this feeling. The American actress recently opened up about struggling with an uncommon condition that was triggered due to a paparazzi shot.

She revealed she lives with trichotillomania, a lesser-known mental health condition. This news comes after her public battle with breast cancer, highlighting her continued openness about her health journey.

“I did the horrible thing, which was to read the comments... And they were like ‘I think she set this up!’” In a recent episode of ‘Armchair expert’ podcast, Munn shared that her trichotillomania began after an incident with paparazzi between 2009 and 2010 when she was dating Chris Pine. The insensitive comments turned out to be a trigger for her, and she explained it was the beginning of her condition.

What is Trichotillomania?

Trichotillomania, also called trich or TTM, is a condition where people have strong, repeated, and uncontrollable urges to pull out their hair. This hair can come from their scalp, eyebrows, or other body parts. Munn explained that the urge to pull can be quite intense and it is a sensation that feels like “oh this eyelash feels like its going to come out, even though it is not”. Once you pull it, she details, there is a small second of pain, then satisfaction followed up with immediate regret.

The National Health Services UK explains that people with trichotillomania often feel a certain sensation. They feel a lot of tension building up until they pull, and once they do, they often feel a sense of relief. Sometimes, hair pulling happens when someone is stressed, but it can also happen without them even thinking about it. While most people pull hair from their head, some also pull from their:

• Eyebrows
• Eyelashes
• Genital area
• Beard or mustache

Bald patches may appear unusually shaped and affect one side of the head more than the other. Trich can lead to feelings of shame and low self-esteem, often causing individuals to try and conceal their condition.

What Causes Trichotillomania?

The exact causes of trichotillomania are not entirely clear, but potential factors include:

Coping mechanism

For some, pulling hair might be a way to deal with strong emotions like stress or anxiety. It could be a kind of self-soothing behavior.

Chemical imbalance

There might be differences in the brain's chemicals that affect how a person controls urges or handles rewards, making it harder to stop pulling hair.

Hormonal changes

Changes in hormone levels, especially during puberty when the condition often starts, could also be a factor.

Genetics

If someone in your family has trichotillomania, you might be more likely to develop it too, suggesting that genes could play a part.

Can Trichotillomania Be Treated?

The main way to treat trichotillomania is through a therapy called habit reversal training, which is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy focuses on helping you replace the urge to pull your hair with something harmless. It typically involves keeping a diary to track when and where you pull your hair, which helps you identify and understand your triggers – the specific situations or feelings that make you want to pull.

Once you know your triggers, you can work on replacing the hair-pulling action with a different, less harmful behavior, like squeezing a stress ball or making a fist. Support from loved ones is also a key part of this process, providing encouragement as you work to change the habit. Other self help tips according to NHS are,

• Squeeze a stress ball or similar object.
• Form a fist and tighten arm muscles.
• Use a fidget toy.
• Wear a bandana or a tight-fitting hat like a beanie.
• Take a soothing bath to reduce stress or anxiety.
• Practice deep breathing until the urge subsides.
• Exercise regularly.
• Apply plasters to fingertips.
• Cut hair short.

While summer season hits US, with record high heat already engulfed parts of United States so far, with sunny brunches, impromptu beach excursions, and lazy, stress-free days outdoors. But with the rise in temperature and UV index, your skin has a special set of problems—consider sweat-caused breakouts, dehydration, and the constant threat of sun damage. Whereas glowing skin is the season's go-to accessory, attaining and sustaining it takes more than a splash of water or swipe of sunscreen. The seasonal shift demands an strategic revamp of your skincare routine, designed specifically for summer's particular needs.

Most people maintain the same skincare routines throughout the year, yet what works in winter could fail in summer. Hot, humid weather increases oil production, clogs pores, and heightens the risk of dehydration and sunburn. The right summer routine is about making smarter, climate-aware choices: featherweight hydration, targeted serums, and robust UV protection. Summer's longer days and soaring temperatures may boost your mood, but they’re also hard on your skin. Increased exposure to the sun’s UV rays can accelerate aging, cause hyperpigmentation, and damage the skin barrier. Toss in sweat, humidity, and pollution, and your skin's defense system is put to the test.

Dermatologists caution that neglecting these environmental stressors can result in premature fine lines, pores clogged by grime, and irregular tone. The secret? Steering clear of aging skincare habits and swapping them out for summer-smart solutions.

"Are you cleansing enough?" That's what Chief Dermatologist Dr. Shwetha Rahul thinks should be the motto for every summer skincare routine. When it's summer, skin sheds more oil, which—if combined with sweat and grime—can block pores quickly.

STEP 1- Cleansing

"Twice daily gentle cleansing is a must," says Dr. Rahul. "But steer clear of harsh scrubs or over-cleansing, which can leave the skin defenseless and even more vulnerable to the sun."

Choose sulfate-free, pH-balanced cleansers that eliminate dirt without tampering with your skin's natural barrier. Gel or foam cleansers are particularly effective on oily and combination skin.

STEP 2- Hydration

One of the largest myths about summer skincare is that you can forego moisturizer. In fact, summer's heat and humidity have a dehydrating effect on your skin, with added sweating and sun damage to boot. Trade in your heavier moisturizers for a lightweight, water-based or gel moisturizer that seals in moisture without being greasy or pore-clogging. Opt for non-comedogenic products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides to keep your skin soft and strong.

"Moisturizing doesn't become optional just because the weather is warm," maintains Dr. Rahul. "In fact, dehydration does occur in summer, particularly following sun exposure."

Check for products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. For more serious hydration, treatments such as Profhilo or PRP microneedling can restore lost moisture and trigger collagen.

STEP 3- Sunscreen

Whether you’re brunching outdoors or lounging at the beach, sunscreen is your skin’s best defense against premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and sunburn. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours when outdoors. Antioxidant-enriched formulas offer extra protection against environmental stressors and help keep your skin evenly toned and healthy.

A golden tan may look appealing, but the long-term effects of unprotected sun exposure are far from pretty. Wrinkles, sunspots, and increased skin cancer risk are all linked to UV radiation.

Sunscreen—broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher—is non-negotiable. But it’s not just about applying it once in the morning. “Reapply every two hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating,” Dr. Rahul advises. “Choose antioxidant-rich formulations to fight off free radical damage.”

And don't miss forgotten areas such as ears, feet, and the back of your neck.

STEP 4- Moisturize

Heavy moisturizers and high-coverage foundations can suffocate your skin during summer. The result? Clogged pores, acne, and dullness.

Ditch heavy moisturizers and heavy foundations and switch to light serums, liquid sunscreens, and light BB creams. "Heavy makeup creates a film that holds on to sweat and bacteria. Summer is the time when your skin needs to breathe," advises Dr. Rahul.

STEP 5- Rejuvenation

Sustained sun exposure can leave the skin dry and drained. Brightening serums containing vitamin C or niacinamide brighten the skin, reduce pigmentation, and reduce sun damage. After-sun treatments like aloe vera gel or soothing facial mists calm the irritation and restore lost water.

Professional treatments such as microneedling with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), bio-remodelling injectables such as Profhilo, and LED Light Therapy are becoming increasingly popular due to their capacity to stimulate collagen, improve elasticity, and achieve a dewy, natural look without heavy makeup. These treatments promote deep hydration and discreet repair, minimizing the visibility of fine lines and keeping your skin firm and perky.

Hydration From the Inside Out

Hydrating 8–10 glasses of water a day and consuming water-filled foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, and oranges keep the skin elastic and prevent dryness. Optimal hydration promotes your skin's protective barrier, removes toxins, and postpones premature aging signs.

Summer Skin Issues—and How to Correct Them

Breakouts: Excess oil and sweat can block pores. Exfoliate with gentle acids and use non-comedogenic products.

Sunburn: Cool with fragrance-free moisturizers and aloe vera; skip active ingredients until the skin settles down.

Hyperpigmentation: Prevent and address with daily sunscreen, niacinamide, and vitamin C serums.

Oily Shine: Blotting papers and mattifying primers keep oil under control; change to oil-free moisturizers.

Dehydration: Apply humectants such as hyaluronic acid and hydrate with lots of water to keep your moisture barrier intact

Summer skincare isn't all about appearance; it's about shielding and caring for your skin to keep it healthy, strong, and radiant through every brunch or beach day. By changing up your routine for the season—emphasizing gentle cleansing, intelligent hydration, sun protection, and light textures—you can sidestep snags and maintain a radiant complexion all summer.

As Dr. Shwetha Rahul concludes, "It is crucial to take care of your skin during the summer season in order to prevent common errors that will damage it. By maintaining a consistent skincare routine and using proper products and treatments, you can keep your skin safeguarded, moisturized, and refreshed."

A summer skincare routine is not just about avoiding sunburn or acne—it's about loving your skin through its changing needs and providing it the attention that it needs. From the beach to brunch, your skin is always on high exposure to heat, UV rays, and air pollution.