A dry expert in January reveals how to give the drink in the midst of a pandemic

Alcohol sales went through the peak in 2020, when Americans Brits, Australians, and more spent the time in locking down loading (or at least taking the edge off).

But coronavirus pandemic is not over yet – and our bodies can only sustain so much extra wine and tequila.

Enter Dry January, which may seem like a better idea than it ever was in 2021 – but that might feel like a much tougher promise.

For those who wanted to try it out, FEMAIL spoke to Hilary Sheinbaum, author of ‘The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Free-Alcohol Month,’ who shared her top tips for take a break from snoring even while at home all day, every day.

‘There are so many benefits to doing Dry January – or any other dry month – including better sleep, better digestion, more energy, clearer skin and an overall sense of accomplishment, said Sheinbaum, whose book was on 29 December.

“You also save a ton of money when you don’t buy expensive cocktails and bottles of alcohol and wine,” she said.

Americans have certainly spent a lot on alcohol this year, with online sales going up like never before. In fact, a report from market research firm IWSR found that online alcohol sales in the U.S. would be around $ 5.6 billion in 2020, up 80 percent from the previous year.

Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and the UK have seen an increase in retail e-commerce.

In addition to what it has been in recent years, the levels were so low in 2020 and it brought a lot of pressure and uncertainty. Many people drink more at home and at different times of the day, ‘said Sheinbaum.

‘After a clever year, we were all able to use a fresh start: feeling relaxed, full of energy and a couple of extra dollars in the bank. ‘

In her book – which includes a move on from Laguna Beach star Lo Bosworth – Sheinbaum shares the benefits of serving alcohol, recipes for non-alcoholic cocktails, and even activities which does not involve drinking.

Here, she gives her the best advice to avoid while the world is still in the grip of a pandemic.

Remember: Out of sight, out of sight

Anyone who has ever been on a diet knows that tasty snacks are in plain sight as a recipe for failure, and the same goes for the contents of your alcohol cabinet.

‘When you work from home, every time you pass your bar card or open the fridge, you are likely to see bottles of wine, alcohol or beer , ‘explained Sheinbaum.

If your goal is to skip alcohol together, pour everything down the drain or give it to friends.

If you’re just leaving it for the month, find a place to hide your bottles and cans. It’s okay if you know it’s still there; as long as you don’t have to see it every day, you’re so likely to drink.

“You can just store your alcohol out of sight at home or give it to a friend to hold on to for 31 days,” she said.

Complete your Sober Month Support Squad

Misery loves company.

‘Even if you don’t see your friends in person during quarantine, you can recommend group activity: not drinking together,’ Sheinbaum suggests. ‘Getting others into a common goal is not only inspiring, but will hold all parties to account.’

It can also be a comfort to travel with friends about what you want for a glass of pinot grigio – and what you miss Saturday night at your favorite bar.

To that end, find things to do that are fun but don’t include drinks.

“If you are taking shelter instead with friends, family or a companion, you can dream of an activity to do it together in person that does not involve alcohol,” Sheinbaum said.

Find something forward-looking

One reason is that many of us turned to drinking during quarantine … well, what else has to be done?

But instead of drinking out of boredom, now is the time to think outside the box for ways to be busy and entertained.

‘The pandemic won’t stop for galas or festivals, but you can still get creative with fun ways to take your time,’ Sheinbaum said.

‘Beyond streaming platforms for binging movies, you can take a new exercise schedule at home, learn how to cook or develop recipes (sans cooking wine), redecorate your home, or reorganize your closet.

‘And if you’ve already done all of that in quarantine, look online for live meaningful events to keep yourself engaged with what’s happening in the state, your city, and even your own neighborhood.

Find another drink that feels special

It’s not just the excitement you give when you drink alcohol: The taste of the drinks is your favorite too.

Sheinbaum recommends replacing your beverage with a non-alcoholic beverage after work (or during work).

‘If you drink beer, non – alcoholic brews contain IPAs, stouts, and more,’ she said.

‘If you’re feeling creative or looking for a classic cocktail, you can mix your own with a variety of non-alcoholic spirits and other ingredients with zero ABV,’ she said.

Her book contains recipes for non-alcoholic cocktails, and Pinterest is full of delicious ideas.

Motivate yourself with a reward

‘You’re going to get mental and physical benefits from cutting alcohol for 31 days, but something to look forward to in the long run can also be motivating,’ Sheinbaum said.

‘Because you save money during the month, you can accumulate the money you earned and promise to buy yourself something you’ve been looking at all month (or maybe even ron sin). ‘

On January 1st, promise yourself something that ‘feels like a treat’ that you will receive as a reward on February 1st – though try not to make it alcohol.

‘When your month is dry, buy it, or save it and rejoice!’