When the new year rolls around, you hear of people making a resolution to do Dry January – an effort to abstain from drinking alcohol for the entire month. While this has sparked interest in the past, people are now opting to live a “damp” lifestyle. Think of going damp versus going dry!
What Does it Mean to Live a “Damp” Lifestyle?
Drinking alcohol is a part of many cultures and social settings. Your best friend’s birthday is coming up and she wants to celebrate with a house party. Your family barbecue is around the corner and you know beer pong is involved. You’re going out dancing with some friends and they offer to buy you a drink at the bar. Sometimes it can feel like every occasion needs to include a glass of wine.
There can often be temptations to overindulge which can result in fluctuating emotions, increased anxiety and a horrible hangover the next day. To avoid this, people are adopting a “damp” lifestyle in which they are more mindful of how much they are drinking, why they are drinking and how drinking makes them feel.
A Few Ways to Live More “Damply”
If you’re thinking of adopting a “damp” lifestyle, here are a few ways you can do so:
- Understand why you want to live a damp lifestyle. What sparked this interest? Why do you feel like this lifestyle will better suit your needs?
- Find a balance. Plan in advance which days you are going to consume alcohol and ensure you’re including days during the week when you won’t have any.
- Find alternatives. Sometimes we drink because we like how the drinks taste. Find other drinks that are fun, fruity and alcohol free to enjoy when you want a little something special. If you still want alcohol but want something lighter, opt for a light drink like our Lola Light Rosé or a smaller portion size like our Lola 250mL bottles.
- Give yourself grace. There’s a lot of temptations out there and it can be easy to fall into the trap of drinking because everyone else is. Be patient with yourself and learn that this is a practice. You don’t have to be all or nothing. Ease into this new damp lifestyle!
Pelee Island Winery and “The Right Amount”
Here at Pelee Island Winery, we believe in The Right Amount.
“The Right Amount is an initiative of Wine Growers Canada (WGC). Created in 1967 WGC is the national voice of wine in Canada representing large, medium and small wineries across Canada.”
Since it was created, we have been a proud supporter of The Right Amount initiative. As wine growers (and consumers), we believe that choosing the right amount is about making informed personal choices. Sometimes the right amount is none and that is ok. Whether you’re choosing to live a dry or damp lifestyle, we believe in doing what is best for you.