As organisations settle into the new year, many are thinking about how to support staff wellbeing in practical, inclusive ways. Leeds City Council’s Public Health Drugs and Alcohol Team have shared a thoughtful piece with the Leeds Mindful Employer Network exploring how Dry January® can act as a gentle reset for both employees and employers — without judgement or pressure.
Rather than focusing on alcohol reduction alone, the article frames Dry January® as an opportunity to reflect on workplace culture, wellbeing and inclusion, particularly at a time when teams may already be navigating fatigue, financial pressures and competing demands.
Why Dry January® matters in the workplace
The article highlights a range of potential benefits that people often experience when they take a break from alcohol, including:
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improved sleep and energy
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better mental clarity and mood
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physical health benefits
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financial wellbeing
It also explores how alcohol-centred workplace culture — from social events to informal expectations — can sometimes unintentionally exclude people or impact productivity and wellbeing.
For employers, this is less about encouraging participation and more about creating space for open, supportive conversations where people feel able to make choices that work for them.
Supporting wellbeing without judgement
A key strength of the piece is its emphasis on empathy. It offers practical ideas for employers to support wellbeing goals without assumptions or pressure, recognising that people’s relationships with alcohol are personal and shaped by many factors.
The article also shares real-life stories showing how a month-long break can sometimes lead to longer-term habits, stronger connections and greater awareness of wellbeing needs — both individually and within teams.
It’s a useful read for any organisation thinking about how to promote wellbeing in a way that is inclusive, realistic and grounded in everyday working life.
Read the article in full:
Dry January®: A Gentle New Year Reset for Employers and Employees
https://mindfulemployerleeds.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=23914d278474f238d47839303&id=b11ff4bf51&e=7d6a56ce7e
Useful resources from Alcohol Change UK
If individuals or organisations want to explore Dry January® further, Alcohol Change UK has a range of practical resources:
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Benefits of the Dry January® challenge and when you can expect to see them
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Alcohol Change UK’s Ultimate Dry January® preparation checklist for 2026
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Check how healthy your drinking is with a quick quiz:
https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/interactive-tools/check-your-drinking
Coping with cravings: practical advice
Cravings are a normal response to change, particularly once the initial motivation of the first few days begins to fade. Alcohol Change UK explains that cravings are often linked to triggers, routines or emotions, rather than alcohol itself.
Some helpful approaches include:
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remembering that the average craving lasts around six minutes
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using distraction to ride out the urge
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trying “urge surfing”, a mindfulness-based technique that focuses on noticing how cravings rise and fall
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replacing the habit with something enjoyable, such as a different drink or activity
Learning how to respond to cravings can be a valuable skill, whether someone is taking a short break or thinking about longer-term changes.
Leeds Alcohol and Workplace Culture Check-In
In November, the Leeds Alcohol and Workplace Culture Survey was launched in partnership with Leeds City Council’s Public Health Drugs & Alcohol Team. The survey invites employers to reflect on how alcohol shows up in their workplace and what support might be helpful.
Input from organisations of all sizes and sectors will help shape future guidance for workplaces across Leeds.
Take the survey:
https://mindfulemployerleeds.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=23914d278474f238d47839303&id=22ba547476&e=7d6a56ce7e
You can also catch up on November’s special feature on Helping Employees Navigate Drinking Culture here:
https://mindfulemployerleeds.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=23914d278474f238d47839303&id=0fc55779d5&e=7d6a56ce7e
Dry January® doesn’t have to be all or nothing. At its heart, it’s about reflection, choice and wellbeing — and creating workplace cultures where people feel supported to make decisions that work for them.
