Sober style: How the internet can make Dry January easier

Published 5:30 pm ET Jan 9

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Why try Dry January?

After the busy holiday season — when many of us tend to overindulge — a break from booze can feel like a refreshing goal. Dry January originally began as one woman’s personal quest to create healthier habits. Over time, it evolved into the month-long challenge it is today. But gaining Dry January health benefits doesn’t mean you have to give up fun and community.

These sober-style tips will show you how to dominate Dry January with the help of goal-tracking tools, inventive mocktails and unique ways to stay connected with others during the chilly winter months.

Useful apps

Tracking your progress throughout January can be a powerful way to stay motivated. With the help of a good home Wi-Fi connection, downloading an app is an easy tool to help you stay the course. Try exploring a few different apps to find the features that work best for you.

Popular Dry January apps:

Try Dry: The “official” app of Dry January, sponsored by Alcohol Change UK.
Sober January: Clutter-free design with daily words of encouragement.
Drink Control: Keep your consumption in check in January and beyond.

Many apps can help track your accomplishments, even if they aren’t specific to Dry January. Plenty of habit-management apps are fully customizable, allowing you to set and monitor any type of goal.

Top-rated habit-tracking apps:

HabitShare: Designed to be used with friends for an accountability community.
Habit Tracker: Simple navigation to start good habits or break not-as-good ones.
Way of Life: Customizable themes give more pizzazz to this robust app.

A side effect of Dry January may be some extra downtime, which can be a great opportunity for reflection through journaling or meditation.

Popular meditation and journaling apps:

Calm: Award-winning mindfulness app.
Headspace: Get started with meditation and better sleep.
Day One: Journal and preserve memories in a variety of formats.

Mocktails and more

If you enjoy crafting creative cocktails, use January as an inspiring challenge to experiment with new alcohol-free concoctions. You don’t have to come up with ideas on your own — an internet connection is all you need to access unlimited resources, such as this helpful mocktail recipe generator. Input the ingredients you have available and the program will create a customized drink formula just for you.

Mocktails aren’t the only beverages worth exploring. You can also find fun recipes for a variety of drinks that can be made at home with ingredients to suit your personal taste, such as:

Smoothies (fruit, green or protein)
Milkshakes
Blended coffees
Juices

Activities, no alcohol required

Finally, having a good hobby or activity can be key when avoiding alcohol. Finding “third places,” or social spots outside of work and home, can be challenging, but one of the great Dry January benefits is the opportunity to discover new places. These suggestions can help you get started.

Gym: Check with your gym to find group workouts for a way to connect with other health-focused folks.
Library: A library’s purpose extends beyond book-borrowing. Most libraries also have a calendar of events for the local community and access to Wi-Fi hotspots.
Community center: Similar to libraries, community centers often hold free or cheap classes on learning new skills, exercise, volunteer opportunities and more.
Local clubs or meet-ups: If you’re passionate about a specific interest, such as gardening, art, running or something else, consider using the internet to search for local clubs that focus on your niche to connect with like-minded individuals. A no-contract or unlimited data plan is great for light internet tasks like this.
Coffee shops: Local coffee shops often host or have bulletin boards that advertise local events and usually offer free internet to help expand your search.

Final takeaways

Incorporating Dry January into your routine can offer a refreshing break from alcohol and provide opportunities to explore new activities and interests. With the help of tracking apps, new recipes and activities, you can make the most of your month and start new habits that could last far beyond January.

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Lisa IscrupeAllconnect.com

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.