As we embark on Dry January, a month dedicated to reassessing our relationship with alcohol, we’ve spoken to members of our team who are taking on this challenge. We caught up with Jo Stubbs, our fantastic DSG Minibus Driver and Wellbeing Champion and our brilliant Marketing and Communications Lead, Lula Walmsley, to hear about their experiences, motivations, and the impact this month has on their well-being. In this article, we share their insights as they take part in this annual initiative.
My name is Jo Stubbs. I work as a minibus driver and health and wellbeing champion on HS2 Mainline North for the Danny Sullivan Group. I have been with Danny Sullivans for over 6 years and have worked on several different projects with the Group.
I have decided to do Dry January this year as I have been feeling as if I’m getting older, and not as fit as I used to be. A hangover can last 3 or 4 days now, rather than 12 hours!!!
I have found, to my surprise, that I actually sleep better when I have not been drinking – I used to use sleeping better as an excuse to have a drink – and ‘just a night cap’ would turn into a proper sesh!!!
Weekends used to be – get up, have a shower, a greasy breakfast to line my tummy and to the pub for the early football matches. Then watch the next matches that were on, meet up with the rest of the ‘4 o’clock club’ (even though I had been there since 12!) and see how long into the evening I could last. Sometimes it was a good 12-14 hour shift!!!
In the evenings after work, I would ring my other half as I was leaving work, tell him to meet me at the pub at 6pm, and most nights we would still be there at 10pm. I did not realise that you could wake up not feeling poorly, or without the tell-tale rosy cheeks. That was just run of the mill for me.
This was seven years ago now, and I am in a much better place – so I just decided to do dry January to prove to myself that I can – I have found that I don’t like going out for a drink in the week anymore, as I actually fear feeling ill in the mornings and worry that I won’t be able to do my job properly. Of course, there is now the threat of random drug and alcohol tests on site as well.
So we are half way through the month now, and I have discovered other things – I am a dab hand at putting up curtain rails, and, for Christmas my kids bought me a ‘paint by numbers for adults’ kit which I absolutely love. I am planning my spring gardening and generally enjoying myself doing new things that I haven’t tried before.
I thoroughly recommend doing a month without drink – it’s a voyage of self-discovery, and the feeling of wellbeing is immense.
GOOD LUCK FELLOW DRY JANUARYERS!!!
My name is Lula Walmsley, and I am the Marketing and Communication Lead at DSG. I have been with the company for just over a year and a half, and I am a Danny Sullivan Group MHFA (mental health first aid trained).
I’m doing Dry January for a few reasons! First, it’s a great challenge to prioritise my health and see how I feel without alcohol. I also wanted to spend less money, and I’m already noticing the difference. One of the biggest benefits so far has been better sleep—I’m feeling more rested and clear-headed. It’s also been interesting to find new ways to wind down after long days and explore socialising without everything revolving around drinks. It’s been a refreshing change, and I’m learning a lot about myself in the process!
What is a surprising fact that you have learned about alcohol and its impact on society or yourself?
I recently learned that whilst alcohol can initially induce drowsiness, leading to quicker sleep onset, it often results in fragmented sleep later in the night. As the body metabolises alcohol, sleep becomes lighter, increasing the likelihood of awakenings and reducing overall sleep quality.
I used to think a drink or two resulted in sleeping better – but this was actually just me falling sleep quicker, sleeping lighter, and not actually feeling fully rested by the time I woke up.
What are your thoughts on drinking patterns?
I’ve noticed that while I do enjoy a good two-for-one deal, it often leads to a situation where one drink turns into many. It’s funny how, in the UK, it feels like there’s an occasion for everything to revolve around drinking—airport pints, bottomless brunches, summer afternoons in beer gardens, pre-drinks, or even journey juice! So much of what we do seems to be centred around the next drink. Marketing and trends have played a role in promoting binge drinking, but what’s encouraging is the shift with newer generations. They’re opting for quality over quantity, choosing one nice drink rather than endless rounds of £4 pints. I think this change is really positive, and it’s refreshing to see that there’s less pressure to drink excessively. People are realising that fun doesn’t have to involve alcohol, and I think that’s a huge step in the right direction.
What learning do you think you’ll take away from your Dry January experience?
One of the biggest takeaways from Dry January for me has been realising how much better it is not to drink midweek. I’ve found it’s so much more enjoyable to fill my evenings with things I love rather than mindlessly scrolling through my phone with a glass of wine in hand. I’ve really been enjoying kombucha as an evening drink, getting back into documentaries, and focusing on my health by hitting the gym. I also created time to start my level 4 counselling diploma, which has been such a rewarding experience. And on top of all that, my bank account is much happier!
I feel amazing—well-rested, in a happy mental headspace, and overall, I’m using my downtime in ways that actually contribute to my wellbeing. That said, I am looking forward to enjoying a glass of wine at the end of this month, but I’ve definitely learned to be more mindful of both my consumption and my spending. Taking this month off has made me feel so much better. It doesn’t have to be just January, though—if you haven’t tried it, consider taking a month off or simply reducing your alcohol consumption. I’m sure you’ll notice many benefits!
Dry January Support.
