Health Hub
Having a Dry July has great health benefits. We've brought together a collection of articles that could help you with your Dry July.
Preparing for your Dry July
By Dry July on
You’re doing something amazing – improving your own health, and helping to change the lives of people affected by cancer. We're with you every step of the way for your Dry July, so don't be daunted by taking some time off the booze!
Plus, remember the funds you raise will improve the comfort and wellbeing of people affected by cancer.
Here are our top tips to help you prepare and stay dry this July:
In preparation:
- In June try to slow down your alcohol intake to half of what you would normally consume.
- Plan your social calendar. Offer to be the Designated Dryver on a night out, or if you have an event that you really want to drink at, ask someone to buy you a Golden Ticket. It will give you a night off the wagon, while also raising more funds for a great cause!
- Plan your drink substitutions. There are mocktails, ginger ale, soda water and lime, non-alcoholic beers and wines, herbal tea…
- Plan your meals and your shopping list so there are no surprises during the week.
- Remove all temptation from your house. Ask a friend or family member to keep/store your alcohol for you during July.
- Prepare your mind as well as your body for abstaining from alcohol during July.
During July:
- Hang out with other participants; create a Dry July team with friends and family once you've signed up.
- Keep yourself busy – make the most of your hangover-free weekends! Try something new or go on an adventure.
- Fundraise! What better motivation to stay dry than knowing you're raising vital funds for people affected by cancer?
- Get active. Why not pair your dry period with a new exercise routine? Staying off alcohol can have the benefit of weight loss if you increase your physical activity.
- Remember why you started! Whatever your motivation was for signing up, remind yourself of it throughout your dry period to help stay strong!
Thirsty for more?
Register your interest for Dry July 2024
You may also like
Tips on cutting down after Dry July
By Dry July Foundation on
Carry on your good work from July through to August and beyond. Here are some practical tips if you want to try to cut down on the amount of alcohol you’re drinking:
- Before you start drinking, quench your thirst with a non-alcoholic drink
- Drink slowly – have a drink of water with your alcoholic drink
- Make every second drink non-alcoholic – this will help space out your drinks.
- Eat food when you’re drinking, but avoid salty foods – these make you thirstier.
- Try to dilute your alcoholic drinks – for example, a shandy (beer with lemonade) or a wine spritzer (wine with mineral water).
- Designate at least two alcohol-free days a week
- Know your standard drinks – buy an alcohol measure for at home
- One standard drink equals:
- 285 ml of beer (one...
How To Get A Good Night Sleep
By Melissa Ingram on
Every single one of us needs to simply stop and recharge – regularly! Most of us have experienced times where stress is high, deadlines are tight and yet we still seem to be able to move mountains. On the flip side, I can guarantee that all of us have also experienced periods of the same pressure yet feel we are not firing on all cylinders – resulting in lower quality of work being produced or it taking longer to complete.
Allow your body enough time each night to recharge. Start with attempting to get 7 – 8 hours of quality sleep every night. We are all different with regards to the amount of sleep we require to operate optimally, however the average 7 – 8 hours is a great place to start. While we sleep we unplug from our lives and...
What Happens To Your Body When You Give Up Alcohol For One Month
By Chloe Mcleod on
We all love to indulge in alcohol every now and then, but a night out with friends brings social pressures in regards to frequent drinking. It can feel impossible to dodge having a drink when you want to be part of the group vibe - and before you know it, you’re waking up with a dry mouth and a nasty hangover again.
Dry July is a great way to reassess your relationship with alcohol consumption and see the health benefits of taking a month off. By signing up to raise money, you’ll also be helping people with cancer.
Here are a few ways the human body can benefit from abstaining from alcohol for a whole month.
#1 Improvements to mental health
Alcohol may seem like a mood elevator when you’re dancing and having a great time with your friends,...