If Damp January is Dry January’s extra laid-back cousin, then The One Week Methodology is its distant uncle who comes round on occasion (as soon as a month, to be precise). Because the identify implies, the viral tackle slicing again on alcohol asks that you simply go seven days off with out imbibing per 30 days for a whole 12 months. Sounds straightforward sufficient, particularly in comparison with going chilly turkey and holding the booze for all of January, proper? It additionally could include some main advantages. Because the brains behind the brand new strategy, Bridget Stangland—a wellness influencer and yoga trainer—swears she experiences much less mind fog, high quality sleep, and improved pores and skin. Whether or not you’re over Dry January or dwelling a sober-curious way of life, learn on for every thing you should learn about The One Week Methodology, together with find out how to give it a shot.
What’s The One Week Methodology?
After realizing how a lot of her social life centered round alcohol, Stangland sought to create a small change that felt straightforward and will assist others as properly. In a now-viral TikTok video, she expressed that she felt like there have been no options to the all-or-nothing mentality when it got here to ingesting alcohol, and he or she wished to show that you could construct wholesome habits that don’t must be so drastic to make you’re feeling good. Thus, The One-Week-No-Booze Methodology was born. The Methodology entails taking one week off of alcohol each single month. By the top of the 12 months, you could have a complete of three months of no ingesting. This serves as an attractive different to Dry January, when one week at a time feels way more manageable, however you’ll finish the 12 months with three months alcohol-free reasonably than one.
For these prepared for a higher problem, you could possibly do two weeks every month (leading to half the 12 months alcohol-free). Stangland shared that many use The One Week Methodology as a place to begin to restrict alcohol much more; some in her group at the moment are taking three weeks off per 30 days, whereas others (together with her) felt so good that they saved the alcohol-free week going and haven’t drank in a 12 months.
What are the advantages?
Past limiting hangovers, The One Week Methodology delivers different perks. The bodily and psychological well being advantages of taking a break from imbibing can embody supple pores and skin, weight administration, stronger immunity, higher sleep, and higher focus and psychological readability. “I simply really feel so current,” Stangland expressed to TODAY. “After which driving myself dwelling and never having to spend on an Uber, climbing into mattress and feeling that clear-headed feeling… I’m like, that is wonderful.” Your pockets will really feel the constructive results, too. Bottles of wine in your grocery haul or cocktails throughout an evening out can add up rapidly. Stangland shares The Methodology has helped folks save a whole bunch of {dollars} each month simply by skipping margaritas and mimosas.
Apart from monetary and well being benefits, taking a break from booze might help make clear your relationship with alcohol and provide the perception you should set wholesome boundaries. Are you typically peer-pressured into having “only one extra drink?” Do you go to a glass of wine if you’re burdened? How does ingesting have an effect on your sleep, train, and vitamin behaviors?
Tricks to attempt it for your self:
Be strategic about which week you choose.
You can begin The One Week Methodology at any time—you don’t have to attend for January or the beginning of a brand new month. However be sure you choose the week fastidiously to set your self up for achievement. As she defined to TODAY, Stangland recommends beginning The Methodology throughout per week you’ll be much less tempted to drink (suppose: if you don’t have numerous social commitments, reasonably than an enormous occasion like a birthday celebration or marriage ceremony). Take a look at your calendar a month upfront, decide which week you’ll abstain from alcohol, and comply with by along with your plan of motion.
Hearken to your physique and progress all year long.
When you grasp a timeline that feels manageable for you (such because the one week), test in along with your physique and permit your self to progress all year long. For instance, attempt going booze-less for 2 weeks at a time after you’ve mastered one week, or if you need a problem, choose the week to deliberately overlap with an exercise that sometimes includes ingesting alcohol (taking a look at you, Tremendous Bowl get together). Or, as a few of Stangland’s devotees follow, maybe you adapt the strategy for particular events solely. Perhaps you retain extending “the week” and ultimately quit alcohol completely. “Small modifications result in large outcomes,” Stangland conveyed to TODAY. “Decide a small objective, go from there, and see what you’ll be able to obtain.”
Concentrate on pleasure, and don’t be too laborious on your self.
The important thing to nailing The Methodology is to concentrate on pleasure reasonably than viewing it by the lens of a restrictive plan you’ll be able to fail or succeed at. As a substitute, it’s about supporting your physique all through the method. Stangland recommends having go-to “pure dopamine boosters” that you could attain for to exchange alcohol habits. For instance, when you are likely to have a glass of wine after a nerve-racking day, what are another methods you’ll be able to destress? Is it a bubble tub, calling a good friend, or ingesting calming tea earlier than mattress? If your folks sometimes get pleasure from a bottomless mimosa brunch, what are different methods you’ll be able to have enjoyable along with your social circle, comparable to going for a hike, grabbing smoothies, or internet hosting a recreation evening? The purpose just isn’t limiting or proscribing however changing the enjoyment you discovered by alcohol in different methods.
Most significantly, don’t be so laborious on your self. The good thing about The One Week Methodology over one other problem, comparable to Dry January, is that you could begin once more any time. “In the event you do slip up, there’s no motive you’ll be able to’t begin once more the following day, week or month,” Stangland stated.
Please seek the advice of a health care provider or a psychological well being skilled earlier than starting any therapies. At all times search the recommendation of your doctor or different certified well being supplier with any questions you will have concerning a medical or psychological well being situation. By no means disregard skilled medical recommendation or delay in searching for it due to one thing you could have learn on this article.
Supply: The Every Girl