Is Magnesium the Secret to Surviving Dry January?

As Dry January continues across the country, more and more people are using an alcohol-free month as the opportunity to reset an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. But while deciding to go dry for January can help you sleep better, lose weight and save money, it can also prove challenging.

To make things a little easier, super mineral Magnesium could be the key to kicking the booze this month and beyond.

Magnesium is found in every cell in the body and it’s vital to everyday functions, yet 50 per cent of us aren’t getting enough. Harley Street nutritionist and weight loss specialist Kim Pearson chatted to Belle and gave us her three Dry January-related reasons to consider adding this powerful supplement to your daily routine.

Stress Relief
Many of us often reach for an alcoholic drink during periods of stress, or even habitually at the end of the day to ‘relax’. However, while you may think that alcohol is making you feel less stressed in the short-term, this is just the impact of alcohol’s mild sedative properties.

Alcohol is in fact a depressant that changes our levels of serotonin, meaning that you could feel more stressed and anxious as the effects wear off.

Studies show that magnesium may help with brain function and reduce stress by positively impacting the hypothalamus which controls our stress responses. So, upping your levels of magnesium is a better way to destress than opening a bottle this January.

A soak in a magnesium-enriched bath is the perfect way to destress and the most relaxing way to re-mineralise.

Improved Sleep
It’s a common misconception that having a drink or two can help you to fall asleep quicker and sleep more deeply; in fact, alcohol is actually incredibly disruptive to our sleep.

According to research, alcohol reduces the restorative quality of our sleep and as little as one drink can impair sleep quality.

Magnesium, on the other hand, is a great sleep aid. The mineral supports the process of your body and brain relaxing by activating the parasympathetic nervous system to help you feel calm. It also regulates the hormone melatonin, which controls our sleep cycles.

Try a relaxing body massage with a magnesium body lotion before bed.

Boost Your Energy
If you’re giving up alcohol for Dry January, you will likely see a rise in your energy levels. This is partly because of the sedative effects of alcohol and the negative impact drinking has on your sleep quality.

One of the key functions of magnesium is energy creation within the body, aiding the process of converting our food into energy.

Some studies have even shown that magnesium can boost athletic performance such as running, swimming and cycling. So, if you manage to kick the booze and boost your magnesium levels, you’ll be ready to spring into Spring.

Applying magnesium gel during or after exercise may positively impact energy levels and contribute towards normal muscle function, alongside supporting recovery.   

To get involved with Dry January and reset your relationship with alcohol, visit Alcohol Change UK or if you would like help and advice about cutting down or giving up alcohol, including help calculating your unit intake, visit Drink Aware.