Dry January & Better Sleep: How Skipping Alcohol and Sipping Moment Can Reset Your Nights

There is something quietly spectacular about Dry January. Somewhere between clearing out your bar cart and cracking open your first Moment mocktail, the nights begin to change. Thoughts feel lighter. Wind-down feels easier. And by week three, sleep often becomes the main character again.

Dry January restores healthy sleep patterns that alcohol disrupts in the background. Add in a soothing ritual like Moment’s Sparkling Botanical Drinks and the shift becomes even more noticeable.

Here is what happens when you give your body a month free of alcohol and a month full of gentler rituals.

Your Sleep Cycle Finds Its Rhythm Again

Alcohol may help you fall asleep faster but it reduces REM sleep, which is the stage tied to memory, mood processing, creativity, and emotional balance.

According to the Sleep Foundation, alcohol can reduce REM sleep by up to 9 percent even at low to moderate intake
(Sleep Foundation).

A month away from drinking gives your REM cycles room to rebound. People often report deeper dreaming and smoother, more consistent nights.

This is the perfect moment for a calming ritual with Cherry Hibiscus or Strawberry Rose.

Your Cortisol Levels Calm Down

Alcohol can increase nighttime cortisol, which keeps the body alert instead of resting. Elevated cortisol is linked to restless nights and frequent wakeups.

The Sleep Foundation also notes that alcohol disrupts circadian rhythm and elevates nighttime stress hormones
(Sleep Foundation).

During Dry January, cortisol naturally stabilizes, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Moment’s adaptogen rich blends like Lychee Mint and Blueberry Ginger pair perfectly with this reset.

Your Heart Rate Relaxes Overnight

Wearable data shows that alcohol raises nighttime heart rate and decreases heart rate variability, making the body work harder instead of resting.

A large open access study found that alcohol intake produces a clear, dose dependent negative effect on overnight cardiovascular markers
(Nature Scientific Reports).

Take alcohol out for a month and the body shifts into a calmer physiological state at night. You wake up feeling more restored and less drained.

Your Deep Sleep Improves

Deep sleep is where physical repair happens. Alcohol suppresses this stage, especially later in the night, which is why people often wake up feeling foggy even after a full night in bed.

Harvard Health confirms that alcohol disrupts the structure of sleep, leading to more awakenings and less time spent in restorative stages
(Harvard Health Publishing).

Going alcohol free for a month gives deep sleep a chance to return. Many people describe waking up with clearer thinking, less puffiness, and significantly more energy.

If you are building a nighttime ritual, Grapefruit Lemonade makes a refreshing, calm cue for the body to unwind.

Your Mood and Sleep Finally Work Together Again

Alcohol disrupts neurotransmitters that regulate mood and sleep. When you remove it, emotional balance improves right alongside sleep quality.

Harvard Health explains that alcohol affects serotonin, GABA, and other neurotransmitters that influence both emotional regulation and rest
(Harvard Health Publishing).

This helps explain why people doing Dry January often feel:

• fewer mood dips
• steadier daytime energy
• calmer evenings
• clearer thinking

Moment’s adaptogen infused blends support this balance beautifully. The Variety Pack  is ideal for finding your favorite nighttime companion.

What Better Sleep Actually Feels Like by the End of Dry January

In a national survey, 71 percent of Dry January participants reported better sleep
(Alcohol Change UK).

Most people describe their upgraded sleep as:

• heavier but smoother
• deeper but easier
• quieter in the mind
• more energizing in the morning

Once you feel what restorative sleep is like, it is hard to go back.

Elevate the Month with a Simple Nightly Ritual

Dry January works best when you replace your old evening drink with something that feels intentional and calming. A can of Moment’s Sparkling Botanical Mocktails gives you the ritual without the alcohol, sugar, or caffeine.

Taking a break from alcohol gives your body the chance to remember what true rest feels like. Pairing it with a grounding nightly sip makes the entire month feel comforting, not restrictive.

Here's to deeper dreams, brighter mornings, and routines that help you feel like your best self from night one to night thirty.