How Dry January improved my brain health and my life

At the beginning of the year, I had this whole list in my head About benefits of Dry January: Drop a few pounds, sleep better, get those bright white eyes that everyone loves so much. value Results you think you will get Avoiding alcohol But for a month I should have known; I had a body Something else in mind.

In truth, the real reasons are much more complex. Alcohol runs in my family. i did Never thought I had a problem, but sometimes, you need to check in with yourself and take a step back.

My mother died when she was fifty-seven. he could not Take care of yourself the way she needs it – doing the hard things to make her life and her health better. That was hard the witness as a small child.

there was not I could do a lot to change that trajectory. I swore that will not Happens to me so I consciously create ways to check myself and prioritize my brain health.

i did Have done Dry January before, so I knew I could do it. What I’ve realized this time is that the all-or-nothing approach is easier for me than trying to moderate.

That “monkey on my back” everyone talks about is for real. for me, it is Also mental bandwidth to make decisions. Should I have a drink tonight? How many are right? Do I deserve it after this week? When you don’t promise anything, all the surprises are gone. It was known in January The way is easy than “Damp January”. will be It’s always worth proving yourself again.

but there is More on this now. I recently got tested for the Alzheimer’s gene, because it runs in my family, and I was experiencing the midlife brain fog that I had. could not The kicker was that I found out that I carry one copy of the APOE gene, which puts me at a 25% higher risk for cognitive decline! that When my brain health became more important to me.

i know Alcohol is not good For the brain and body, however i am Also no ready To give up that glass of wine entirely.

These are Prescribed break from alcohol is Going to be part of my life ahead. Not deprivation. protection I want to enjoy the life i am still want Go to an occasional happy hour except Guilt but that’s my 80/20 trade-off. Take care of my brain most of the time so I can hug Those are the moments when I love instinct

here A side note. My significant other made all the difference to do it with me. I got through football games and birthday parties, where all those moments you Don’t be the only one. But if was there has been drinking In my own home? That will be more challenging (eg a open bag Chips You’re trying not to eat.) so, Thanks, honey

he says he did not Not necessarily like it, but he did it for me. Secretly, I think he proud of myself for Being someone like that dry january not because it is Hard, but it takes commitment and going out of your way to do things differently.

here what Caught me off guard—last glass of wine of the day or take it Friday the night Wind-down, and your brain immediately starts hunting for a replacement. what The prize? i am to get It – should be a treat at the end of a long, Hard work week. Yes, of course there are other ways gift Like myself self care, etc. but you Sitting on the couch watching movies together (not going out). I never expected mine to go so crazy to sugar

i am A salty person. Always has been. Cheese and bread on top of dessert every time (except dark chocolate, of course). But this month I was eating sweets like crazy.

Watching my reward system jostle for that dopamine hit was interesting and kind of alarming. Evidence that these patterns are more addictive than we think. And once that sugar is in your system, you want more. They say sugar is as addictive as or more than cocaine. I understand now.

scale? It went up. just a few pounds, And i am don’t worry about It is, but Come on here I am doing the “healthy thing” and i am weight gain I was a little insulted, to be honest, And it is did not Seems fair but between sugar, couch potato, and lose the appetite-suppressing effects of alcohol, My body had other ideas. Now I know.

I would say the worst part was the hormonal acne on my chin and jawline. I assumed it was to detox all the “bad” stuff from my body, but what could be bad enough to deserve it? may be Has sugar consumption increased? I’m officially in menopause after eight years on a rollercoaster of symptoms (including skin issues), and this is what I get – deep painful zits like I was a teenager.

I had to ask Claude what the real answer was. He said when you Stop drinkingYour liver may suddenly focus on cleaning up those excess hormones—including estrogen metabolites and androgens. This can create a temporary increase as your body processes what’s backing up, which can trigger breakouts, especially deep, cystic hormonal acne along the jawline and chin.

Well, there you have it. I guess I’m happy to clean the house, but it’s rather rough on a pale winter day.

This is the fun part. what i got good?

Sleep! Sleep has become a completely different thing. Not just easy to fall asleep—I mean deep, actually-fresh-in-the-morning sleep. My aura ring loved me. i am received My highest sleep core since I started tracking a year ago. ninety one, And it is There was even a crown Beside it! I have HRV the best Balance – say what? That never happens.

The change in inflammation was dramatic. Less hard, less swollen—my rings are falling out.

that of the morning firmness i want Stop writing in my fifties? Most are gone Unless the weather changes.

The night sweats almost didn’t subside. Those 3 am spirals where you replay every conversation and stress about tomorrow? Completed the mental rotation that used to wake me up at 4am again… stopped. I got up to pee but managed to go right back to sleep.

My lymphatic system finally got consistent attention, not just the liver. i did Years of lymphatic massage and dry brushing when I remember, but i want Don’t get stuck with self-massage. This month I made it every day – gentle circles and taps on collarbones, neck, arms, lower abdomen and behind my knees.

Our lymphatic system no There is a pump like the heart; It requires movement and manual assistance. i could actually feel The difference in how my body was clear of things. My brain fog was low, strength advanced, And I was more focused.

There was another bonus Stop having a reset on Monday. i am was the building on Weeks in advance instead of starting continuously. i noticed it is the maximum in me yoga practice I had good balance and growth Endurance, and I felt strong in each class. I was building real momentum instead of taking steps back each monday to restore

maybe mine Dear Wonder was off fighting against January’s hibernation powers. instead of I think I have to make it Plan, go Out, and stay Later than what my body wants, I am happily Got cozy with a book by the fire And did not Think twice about it. Loved my dog it, too!

it is was not Just being about Alcohol free. It was about removing the social stigma that alcohol creates. Except for that glass of wine saying “Let’s continue,” I said heard What my body wanted. It turns out wanted rest Sleep. permission to be in the moment and cold

i will Definitely go back to socializing and occasionally late at night. But this month reminded me that my body is trying to tell me something and I need to listen more intently.

Now that it is February (when I wrote this), i will Enjoy the first glass of wine (think a good Burgundy and a steak). but i am Moving forward with more awareness. About my symptoms, what my body is telling me actually helps Vs what I just think should help.

i am Thinking differently about rewards – what feels good And Good for me, not just a quick dopamine fix. They are sometimes fun though.

this was not only About wellness checkbox reason i am always does it. it was more Understanding my reward system, is about recognizing inflammation and imbalance i want Normalized, and learning that sometimes the best insights come Doing less and not more.

Do I have that information now? I can decide what to do with it and build on that. that Where the real power is—not limiting yourself to know what Happening to my body. It makes me want to like it better. Not because I “should”, because I take care of my brain. and i I want to protect it for years to come.