Embracing Dry January: A Mental Health Boost for the New Year
Hey there, fellow Oklahomans! As we dive into the new year, it’s not just about hitting the gym or eating more greens. Have you ever thought about giving “Dry January” a shot? It’s this fun trend where you kick alcohol to the curb for the entire month. In a state where more than 251,000 folks are living with alcohol issues, this could be a game-changer.
Only about eight percent of Oklahomans in need of help for alcohol abuse actually get it. According to the Oklahoma ABLE Commission, alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs in the United States. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that alcohol-related crashes injure nearly 2,500 and kill approximately 220 Oklahomans each year.
Dry January might just be the nudge some folks need to start 2024 on a fresh, healthier note and make mental well-being a priority.
And get this – going dry can do wonders for your mood. Alcohol messes with your emotions, throwing mood swings, stress and anxiety into the mix. Plus, it can mess with your sleep, leaving you groggy during the day. In some cases, it leads to addiction and substance use disorder.
So, how do you kick off your Dry January adventure? 988 Oklahoma has tips and recipes to help you ring in the new year.
Here’s how to get started:
- Set achievable goals for yourself with either complete abstention or a gradual reduction.
- Find support by sharing your commitment with friends or family. You can also call or text the 988 Mental Health Lifeline for support or simply to chat with someone about your mental health struggles.
- Engage in new activities by replacing the time spent in social settings that typically involve alcohol with activities that promote mental well-being, like exercise, meditation or new hobbies.
- Explore the world of delicious mocktails with our curated recipes below!
MOCKTAIL RECIPES:
Pomegranate No-jito
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice
- Half lime (cut into wedges)
- A few sprigs of fresh mint
- 1 cup soda water or ginger ale
- Pomegranate seeds to garnish
Directions:
- Place lime wedges and pomegranate juice in a tall glass. Muddle gently until all the juice has been pressed out of the lime.
- Add a few mint leaves and muddle gently.
- Add plenty of ice to the glass and top with soda water or ginger ale. Stir well.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds, mint and lime.
- Cheers to finding calm in the chaos with moments of peace and mental clarity!
Orange Blossom
Ingredients:
- 1 part orange juice
- 1 part ginger beer
- 1 part sparkling cider
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 splash of grenadine
- Orange wheel for garnish
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice, shake well and pour into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Add a splash of grenadine and an orange wheel as garnish.
- For extra flare, consider adding a sugar rim!
- Cheers to brighter days ahead and support of those who light up our lives.
Eye of the Storm (non-alcoholic Hurricane)
Ingredients:
- 2-part passion fruit juice
- 1-part orange juice
- 1-part pineapple juice
- ½-part lime juice
- 1-part simple syrup
- ½-part grenadine
- 1-part lemon-lime soda
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
- Orange wheel for garnish
- Cocktail skewer for garnish
- Sugar for rim
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients except for the lemon-lime soda and grenadine into a shaker with ice and strain into a chilled, sugar-dressed hurricane glass with fresh ice.
- Top first with grenadine, then fill the glass with the soda.
- Garnish with three skewered cherries and an orange wheel.
- Cheers to welcoming each new day with hope and a fresh perspective!
If you need to find treatment for alcohol or substances, please visit okimready.org.
And if you need some extra mental health support this year, call or text the 988 Mental Health Lifeline. It’s free and confidential, and they’ve got your back in English or Spanish. Here’s to a 2024 full of good vibes and mental clarity! Cheers! 🎉