Dry January® – One Month Without Alcohol and a Sign of Change

One month without alcohol still sounds like deprivation to many people. For us at the office of the Forum BGM Zentralschweiz, however, Dry January® turned out to be a surprisingly positive and very easy experience. And to say it upfront: we successfully completed the challenge.

Looking back, it really wasn’t as difficult as one might think. With the right motivation and a great team, it is absolutely possible to give up alcohol for a longer period of time without feeling like you’re missing out on anything.

The Dry January challenge was approached as a team effort. Even at the very typical Swiss apéros, abstaining from alcohol was not an issue at all. Instead, people naturally switched to alcohol-free beer and other non-alcoholic alternatives. The conclusion was clear: it tastes good, it’s fun – and the social experience stays exactly the same.

What stood out most was how noticeably the social attitude towards alcohol is changing. Questions like “Why aren’t you drinking?” or comments such as “You’re missing out” simply didn’t come up. No one had to explain or justify their choice. On the contrary, many people now naturally choose alcohol-free alternatives – not out of pressure, but out of conviction or curiosity.

This shift is a very positive trend. Not drinking is increasingly seen as a normal option – and that’s exactly how it should be. It reduces pressure, creates freedom, and makes conscious choices easier.

For us as the Forum BGM Zentralschweiz, committed to promoting healthy working conditions, taking part in Dry January was therefore more than just a challenge. It was a small sign of a bigger change: towards greater acceptance, more awareness, and a more relaxed approach to alcohol.

Our conclusion: Dry January can be easy. And sometimes, a month without alcohol reveals more about social change than you might expect at first glance.

Thank you to the whole team for taking part – and to everyone who is helping to shape this positive shift.