If you've stuck with Dry January this far, firstly, well done.
After the festive indulgence of Christmas and New Year, many people pledge to do a whole month with no alcohol, but not everyone goes the distance.
The challenge, first introduced by Alcohol Change UK in 2013, is exactly as its name suggests. You don't consume any alcohol whatsoever for the month of January.
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Campaigners say 31 days of sobriety can be a "total reset for the body and mind", with a whole list of benefits. Alcohol Change UK says it's about you "taking a break, living better and feeling better".
Here, health experts shares a number of ways the body and mind improve after just four weeks of not drinking. If you've stuck to Dry January so far, here are all the benefits you've given yourself.
Softer, more plump skin
Lauren Brooker from Alcohol Change said a "lovely" side effect to going booze-free may begin around this time, with your skin starting to "look amazing". She said: "Alcohol reduces the production of anti-diuretic hormone, so you lose water and sodium more quickly.
"A low tissue water content, courtesy of your daily tipple, is the sworn enemy of soft, plump, peachy skin. As if that wasn’t enough, a few weeks off the sauce should see the size of facial pores diminish too."
Liver function
Ruari Fairbains, CEO of One Year No Beer (OYNB), previously told the Mirror that four weeks of no alcohol should see your liver function make a complete recovery. He said: “Your liver performs over 500 vital functions, playing a critical role in fighting infections, maintaining hormonal balance, giving your body energy, converting food nutrients, and removing toxins.
“You’ll see the first signs of a healthier liver in more glowing skin and brighter eyes."
Calories saved and weight loss
The Priory Group, which offers addiction treatment programmes among other services, says drinking 24 pints of beer is the equivalent of eating 20 chocolate bars. Alcohol also slows your metabolism, making it harder for your body to process fats and sugar.
You're also more likely to make healthier food choices if you're not intoxicated or hungover.
Reduced anxiety
You'll likely feel a bit brighter now than when you last had a drink. This is because alcohol is a depressant, and research shows that people who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems.
Most people who have consumed alcohol have experienced "hangxiety", This is caused, to put it simply, by a chemical imbalance created by the alcohol.
When you drink, your brain is lulled into an artificial chilled out state, but to counteract this the next day, your anxiety levels will spike.
These are just some of the benefits of not consuming alcohol, and there are many, many more. For example, alcohol can cause seven types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth throat, liver, bowel and breast.
The more you drink on a regular basis the greater your risk.
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