The “Dry January” began on Friday, January 1, 2021. As its name indicates in French “Janvier sec”, a month of January during which the French are invited to a challenge that consists of not drinking alcohol. The stated objective: to allow them to pause, reflect and look at the place that this drink occupies in their life.
“Dry January” will allow French people who are confined for a month to reduce their alcohol consumption. A health and fun challenge that will be disrupted by the covid-19 pandemic this year.” If our sociability is reduced, many opportunities to drink alcohol disappear. But on the other hand, the first lockdown has also shown its impact on alcohol consumption, with a significant increase for some,’ says the statement launching the ‘January Challenge’ on ‘Dry January’ in France.
Dry January is a worldwide movement through which millions of people stop drinking alcohol during the month of January. This is a challenge, launched by the organization “Alcohol Change UK” in Great Britain. “In France we call it #JanuaryDepending. Dry January was originally an English experiment.Alcohol Change UK launched it in 2013 and since then, researchers have evaluated its beneficial effects. What we are telling you here has been measured against several million people, including thousands of French already! The benefits are: A fresh and more beautiful skin, Improved sleep so more energy, Weight loss, Saving money, Better health – since stopping for a month does a considerable good to the body, A wonderful feeling of victory and pride!” explains the French “Dry January” website.
Note that “Dry January” is in its second edition in France. With 11.7 litres of pure alcohol consumption per year and per person over the age of 15, the country remains among the most consuming in the world.According to the health agency, it ranks 6th out of 34 OECD countries. More than 9,600 people have already registered to participate in the challenge, compared to 8,800 in 2019.
