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Instead of completely abstaining from alcohol only in one month, people should consume more consciously and less alcohol throughout the year. This is the main concern of a trend that is currently taking over social media. "The "damp lifestyle" is not about stopping alcohol, but being more conscious about the amount you consume. It involves drinking in moderation, developing a healthier, balanced relationship with alcohol and changing our views on drinking culture," explains Dr Catherine Carney from Delamere Private Rehab Clinic in the UK. "Over the past year we have seen a growing trend in adults taking a more positive approach to alcohol consumption. More and more people are looking for ways to change their drinking behaviour," Dr Carney continued.
Social media, especially the TikTok platform which is very popular among young people, has played a significant role in this development. Under the Tiktok hashtags "damp lifestyle" and "sober curious", numerous posts can be found describing how to enjoy alcohol more consciously. TikToker Hana Elson coined the term for this movement. She runs a TikTok page dedicated to the trend. "Small changes in habits lead to big results and create a new lifestyle," Elson explains.
Vedant Pradeep, CEO and co-founder of alcohol reduction app Reframe, said that "Damp January" is a more realistic goal than "Dry January". This ultimately makes it "easier to stick to". A 2021 study found that participating in 'Dry January' led to more alcohol consumption down the line because, according to Pradeep, "people feel freer to drink excessively at other times of the year." Those who do not completely abstain from alcohol during 'Damp January' will find that it is easier to continue the trend beyond the first month of the year, increasing the likelihood that they will stick to their goals without alcohol.".
(al / Source: Yahoo!entertainment; Photo: 123rf)