January has famously been known as the month to change after the joys of Christmas and New year’s celebration, to a more healthier lifestyle. Opportunities such as ‘dry January’ and ‘Veganuary’ allow people to change their lifestyle after a busy festive period, to a much more healthier and happier one during the new year. This allows people to start the new year better and in a more positive manner, not only for themselves but also for those around them and the environment!

Famously, January has been referred to as ‘dry January’ for many, when thousands of people worldwide don’t drink any alcohol for the whole month of January. This is completed for a huge variety of reasons, for example to improve their lifestyle, be more healthy for the new year or just to make up for the large amounts of alcohol consumed over the festive period! This has become an increasingly popular worldwide tradition allowing people to start the new year with a healthier lifestyle and cut back on how much alcohol they consume. Other benefits such as mental health improvements, financial benefits, sleep improvements and even possibly weight loss have also been proven to occur during dry January for many, which could lead to you cutting down on alcohol in the future as well. Therefore, ‘dry January’ provides an exciting opportunity for people to get involved with and feel the benefits after a busy Christmas period, and to start the new year healthier and happier.

Veganuary is a slightly newer tradition, where people go vegan for the month of January. Many health improvements may occur as a result of this switch, as well as environmental benefits and also raises awareness about possible animal cruelty during meat production. Many start of Veganuary as a means of a healthier diet and lifestyle, cutting back on fatty meats and starting to experiment with more fruits, vegetables and healthier meat alternatives. This allows people to start the new year with a healthier lifestyle, more vegetables in their diet and a larger variety of meals they have tried and cooked, which could be used in the future, providing heathier, meat-free alternatives for them and their families. It also has been proven that a vegan diet contains much more fibre than meat diets and contains a large amount more of fruit and vegetables, allowing people to meet their five a day everyday. Also, many may start Veganuary as it is much better for the environment. Meat contains a high carbon footprint as often has to come from abroad and isn’t locally sourced, containing a higher carbon footprint and air miles. Therefore, this adds to climate change, so a vegan diet even just for a month is much more beneficial for the environment. Also, many may start due to concerns of animal cruelty during meat production. This raises awareness about some ways of meat production which are cruel for animals and can encourage people to continue and give vegan or vegetarian diets a go in the future.