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 the benefits -from dry january: lose a few pounds, sleep better, get those bright white eyes everyone raves about. The standard results you think you would get if avoided alcohol for a month. But I should have known; it was for my body thinking of something else.

In fact, the real reasons are much more complex. Alcoholism runs in my family. I have it I never thought I had a problem, but sometimes you have to examine yourself and take a step back.

My mother died at the age of fifty-seven. HE it couldn’t be take care of yourself the way you should—to do the hard things to improve your life and health. That was hard witness as a small child.

There it wasn’t I could do a lot to change this trajectory. I agreed to this I wouldn’t happen to me That’s why I consciously develop ways to monitor myself and prioritize my brain health.

I have it Dry January before so I knew I could do it. This time I found that the all or nothing approach was easier for me than moderation.

The “monkey on my back” that everyone talks about is the real thing. For me this is it also the mental bandwidth of the decision. Should I drink tonight? How many are fine? Do I deserve this after this week? If you don’t commit to any of them, all the wonder is gone. Turns out it was January it’s much easier like “Damp January” would have volt. Proving this to myself again is always worth it.

But it is there more about that now. I was recently tested for the Alzheimer’s gene as it runs in my family and have been experiencing middle age brain fog, it couldn’t be shot. I found out that I carry one copy of the APOE gene, which puts me at 25% higher risk for cognitive decline! This is it when brain health became even more important to me.

i know alcohol is not good for brain and body, but it’s me also no ready to completely give up that glass of wine.

These scheduled alcohol breaks are will be a part of my life going forward. Not deprivation. Protection. I want to enjoy it life; I he still wants to to go to a casual happy hour without guilt. But that’s my 80/20 compromise. Take care of my brain most of the time so I know embrace those moments when I decide to indulge yourself.

It’s here a side note. Having my significant other do this to me changed everything. I survived football games and birthday parties, all those moments when it’s you the only one who doesn’t drink. But if he was there volt spawning in my own house? That would be more is a challenge. (As an open bag chips you try not to eat.) Thus, thank you honey

He says so not he definitely liked it, but he did it for me. Secretly, I think he is he is proud of himself for him that someone did Dry January. Not because this is it it’s hard, but it takes commitment and effort to do things differently.

It’s here What caught off guard – take away that end-of-the-day glass of wine or Friday overnight it stops and your brain immediately starts looking for the replacement. What is it the reward? I get this – have a treat at the long end, hard work week. Yes, of course there are other ways gift yourself as self care, etc. But it’s you sitting on the sofa watching a movie together (not going out). I never expected mine to go so crazy to sugar.

it’s me salty man. They always have been. Cheese and bread over dessert every time (except for dark chocolate, of course). But this month I was craving sweets like crazy.

It was fascinating and alarming to watch my reward system fight for dopamine. Proof that these patterns are more addictive than we think. And once you have sugar in your system, you want more. They say sugar is just as addictive as cocaine. I understand now.

The scale? He went up. Just a few kilos and it’s me not worried that, but Come on. I’m doing the “healthy thing” here and it’s me to gain weight. I was a little offended to be honest, and that not they seem fair. But between the sugar, increased sitting on the sofa, and the loss of the appetite-suppressing effect of alcohol, my body had other ideas. Now I know.

I would say the worst was the hormonal breakouts that broke out on my chin and jawline. I assumed it was from getting all the “bad” stuff out of my body, but what could have been so bad to deserve this? Maybe that increased sugar consumption? After eight years I’m officially in menopause with a rollercoaster of symptoms (including skin issues) and this is what I get – deep, painful jerks like I’m a teenager.

I had to ask Claude what the real answer was. He said when you stop drinkingthe liver may suddenly focus on removing excess hormones, including estrogen metabolites and androgens. This can create a temporary surge as the body processes what has been held back, which can trigger absolute breakouts, especially deep, cystic hormonal breakouts along the jawline and chin.

Well, there you have it. I think I’m glad to be able to clean at home, but the pale days of winter are pretty rough.

This is the fun part. What happened right?

SLEEP! Sleep has become a completely different thing. It’s not just easier to fall asleep – I mean deep, actually refreshed morning sleep. My Oura ring loved me. I got my highest sleep core since I started tracking over a year ago. ninety one, and that he even had a crown beside him! My HRV arrived optimal balance – what does it say? This never happens.

The inflammatory changes were dramatic. Less stiff, less puffy – my rings are falling off.

That the breakfast stiffness I have they described me as being in my fifties? Mostly gone unless the weather changes.

Night sweats are almost gone. Those 3am spirals where you replay every conversation and stress about tomorrow? Ready. The mental whirl that had woken me up again at 4am was just… gone. I got up to pee, but I was able to go back to sleep right away.

My lymphatic system was finally getting consistent attention, not just my liver. I have it I did lymphatic massage and dry brushing for years, if I remember, but I never stuck with self-massage. I’ve been doing it daily this month – gentle circles and taps along my collarbone, neck, under arms, stomach and behind my knees.

Our lymphatic system not have a pump like the heart; needs movement and manual assistance. i knew actually feel it the difference in how my body cleared things out. My brain was less foggy, energy improved, and I was more focused.

It was another bonus Mondays were no longer resets. I volt building after the previous week instead of constantly restarting. I noticed that most in mine yoga exercise. My balance was better and increased endurance, and I felt it stronger in it all classes. I created real momentum instead of backing down all Monday to recover.

Maybe it’s mine his favorite surprise was stopping the fight against hibernation energy in January. Instead i think i have to do it plans, go out and stay I woke up later than my body would like happily made friends with a book by the fire and not think twice. My dog ​​loved it that too!

That it wasn’t only about existence non-alcoholic. It was about eliminating the social pressure caused by alcohol. Without the glass of wine saying, “Let’s continue,” I said he listened what my body craved. Turns out he wanted to to rest. Sleep. Permission to be in the moment and cool.

Patient get back to socializing and the occasional late night. But this month reminded me that my body was trying to tell me something and I should pay more attention.

Now that this is it February (when I wrote this), Patient enjoy your first glass of wine (thinking a good burgundy and a steak). But it’s me we move forward with much greater awareness. About my patterns, what my body tells me, about what it actually helps as opposed to what I think should help.

it’s me thinking differently about rewards – which feels good and good for me, not just a quick dopamine fix. Although sometimes they are fun.

This it wasn’t right now about wellness checkboxes. Because it’s me he always does this. It was more about understanding my reward system, recognizing inflammation and imbalances I normalized and learn that sometimes the best insights come from it less and no more.

Now how do you have this information? I have to decide what to do with it and build on it. This is it where the real power is – I don’t limit myself, I limit myself knowing what is it happening in my body. It makes me make better decisions. Not because I “have to”, but because I care about my brain, and me want to protect it for years to come.