We all know the feeling too well – the entire month of December can seem like an “all bets are off” free-for-all of indulgence for most of us. We have more parties to attend and seasonal treats to bake. We are gifted wine bottles and cocktail mixers, which is generous – until it can quickly feel like too much.
It is no secret that sober curiosity has only grown more popular over the past few years, particularly since the pandemic began in 2020. More people, and moms specifically, are taking a step back and re-examining their relationship with alcohol. My journey with sober curiosity started at the beginning of 2023 when I gave Dry January a try for the first time. As the weeks went on, I found podcasts and books that centered around living an alcohol-free life. The more I learned about alcohol and what it does to our brain and our body, the more intrigued I became. I started paying attention to how I felt without it and quickly began to reap the benefits.
While thirty days may not seem like a long time, taking a month break from alcohol does absolute wonders for your overall health. Not only will you feel improvements in your sleep, your skin, and your productivity, but it is a huge boost for your immune system – which we all know moms need in the dead of winter.
To help kick start your Dry January, I’ve compiled a few resources that will not only help you thrive during your break but ENJOY it, too! Take a look into some of my favorite books, listens, people to follow, and delicious N/A options to sip on all month.
Podcasts:
- Happiest Sober with Madeline Forrest
- The Hello Someday Podcast with Casey McGuire Davidson
- The Sober Mom Life with Suzanne Warye
- Alcohol Tipping Point with Deb Masner, RN
- Over the Influence with Sharon Hartley & Ben Anderson
Books/Audiobooks:
- This Naked Mind by Annie Grace: This book is an incredible source of knowledge on the science of alcohol, what it does to our body, and why it can feel so hard to stop at just one drink.
- The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober by Catherine Gray: A wonderful memoir of one woman’s journey out of the spiral of addiction. The author shines a light on the incessant booze pushing we receive from society as well as citing top neurologists and psychologists along the way.
Tracking Apps to download:
“I’m Done Drinking!” – The app asks a few simple questions like what you typically drink and how often. With this rough data, it shows in real time the amount of drinks you have not consumed, how much money you have saved on average, as well as calories saved.
Instagram Accounts to follow:
- Happiest Sober @happiestsober
- No Booze Crew @noboozecrew (they put together the cutest templates for you to track your progress!)
- Suzanne Warye @thesobermomlife
- Meg Fee @youdonthavetodrink
My Favorites to Drink:
- Athletic Brew IPA
- N/A Corona Beer
- Athletic Brew Day Packs
- Giesen Wines
- Hiyo Social Tonics
You can find a good amount of these items at Total Wine or your local grocery store – but I would encourage you to take it a step further and check out Loren’s Alcohol-Free Beverages located in Carmel. It is women-owned and the best place to find a huge variety of N/A options that you can’t find anywhere else. Another perk for busy moms? They deliver!
Being sober or sober-curious in our boozy world is NOT easy, so I applaud anyone who chooses to take a break in January. Who knows? You may enjoy the benefits so much that you will keep the trend going! If not, you will have still done incredible wonders for your physical and mental health – and I can’t think of a better way for you to begin 2024. Cheers!
