Dry July is a fundraising initiative where participants abstain from alcohol to raise money for adults living with cancer. According to relationship therapist and addictions counsellor, Leanne French, going booze-free for a month won’t just benefit the cause – it could positively impact on your own health and mental wellbeing.
“Drinking even small amounts of alcohol often can make you feel tired and depressed,” says French, who has been a counsellor for over 25 years. “One of the biggest benefits from taking a break is that people feel healthier and better in the morning, and have more energy, which naturally leads on to doing other healthy things, like eating better food and exercising.”
“People taking a break for a good reason like Dry July also usually feel proud of themselves, and sometimes it is a relief to them as they realise being able to go a month without drinking means they don’t have a problem with alcohol. Much like going technology-free, people often realise there is so much more to do with their time and energy.”
Setting a goal and achieving it can help people feel good about themselves, regardless of how much they usually drink, she adds. “Proving you can socialise, relax and reward yourself without alcohol can be a big deal for many people. Add the feel-good factor of raising money for those who really need it, and it’s a great formula for improving self-esteem.”
Last year, participants of Dry July raised over $744,000 for cancer services around the country to improve the well-being of adult cancer patients and their loved ones.
This year, many Kiwi celebs will be taking part, including netball star Casey Kopua, cookbook author Chelsea Winter, Shortland Street actor Jayden Daniels, broadcaster Carly Flynn, and radio presenter Nicki Sunderland.
For more information, visit nz.dryjuly.com
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