I tried Dry January for the first time last year. I didn't drink for 30 days straight for the first time in years thanks to these 6 strategies.

• I committed to an alcohol-free month in January of 2022.

• I had systems in place that made Dry January easier than I thought.

• I joined a community and drank alcohol-free beers.

I decided to go to Dry January in 2022. I wanted to stop drinking, sleep better, lose weight, improve my workouts, and wake up fresh.

It wasn't easy, per se, but it wasn't as daunting as I thought. It was enjoyable at times.

My success wasn't down to luck or self control. I think it's due to the systems I had in place before I started. First-time teetotalers should get this advice.

Identify your why

If you're only doing Dry January because a friend asked you to or as punishment for over-indulging over the holidays, you'll have a hard time sticking to it.

Nick Allen wrote on the company's website that you should drill down on your "Why" before starting. If it is, ask yourself why. Ask yourself why if it's "I value productivity"

Write down what you want to gain from deeper connection to loved ones. You can keep a commitment to yourself if you know that. Someone has a sharper mind at work. There is a chance to try new things.

The opportunity to simply experience life without alcohol was a big selling point for me. I decided after a month that the events were better with alcohol.

Find a community

For about $50 you can get access to an online community of people starting the experiment at the same time.

This community and the program's structure were my secret weapons: Rather than feeling deprived, the experiment encourages you to dive into the alcohol-free lifestyle with enthusiasm and curiosity.

In a shame-free space, you learn about the science of addiction, confront whether alcohol is giving you what it promises, and work outtriggers from ski vacations to bad days at work with other experimenters.

Sober Sis's 21-day reset is one of the programs that are similar. There are many who are free.

Be vocal about your commitment

I stated my commitment to everyone. I posted about my favorite alcohol-free beers on social media.

Some research shows that people who post more about their goals on social media are more likely to accomplish them, but it's not clear if that's because they only post achievable goals or if the posting holds them accountable.

It was for me. I knew I would let myself down if I just gave a sober month a try. I was too proud to consider it when so many people were on board.

Try out alternatives

I had alcohol-free drinks that helped me succeed. You can find many zero-proof beers on the online marketplace Better Rhodes, as well as in alcohol-free shops and bars. Most of them carry at least one beer.

These beers have less calories and are less likely to leave you craving three more since they don't have alcohol's addictive qualities.

With these alternatives, you can drink while cooking, watch a game, and have a good time without a bad night's sleep.

Also, alternative activities can be important.

If you're one of the many who are tempted on Friday nights, Allen says to make plans for Saturday morning, including a hike, yoga class, or early coffee with a friend.

It's important to shift the reward center from "I'm going to drink in order to relax" to "I know I've got this thing that I'm really forward to tomorrow morning that I don't wanna ruin by drinking tonight"

Be patient as your body adjusts

If you've been drinking a lot for a long time, the joy of being sober isn't going to happen right away. As your body makes up for the alcohol calories lost and you stop numbing your emotions, you may have trouble sleeping, as your body makes up for the alcohol calories lost.

The way the body metabolizes alcohol may lead to you gaining weight.

Don't be impatient. The Cleveland Clinic says alcohol can stay in your system for a long time. It's worth it once you find equilibrium.

withdrawal from alcohol can be dangerous and require medical support if you are worried about being addicted.

Don't let a slip-up derail your entire month

Grace discourages people from starting again at "day 1" if they have a drinking moment that is a "data point" from which to learn. She says that quitting drinking isn't a linearprocess.

She suggests getting curious if you do throw a few back. How did you get to drink? Is it as good as you thought it would be? It was worth it the next day. Make a more informed decision if you journal about it.

There are benefits to not drinking as much. Reducing your drink can help set you up for a more moderate lifestyle in February and beyond.

Allen said to think of it as a lifetime investment in your health. One drink in January isn't as big of a deal if you take that philosophy.

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