Going ‘Damp’: Why The Damp Lifestyle Is Taking Over

Photo by Inga Seliverstova / Pexels

Did you suffer from too many hangovers last year or wake up with the fear one too many times? Perhaps you’re one of the unfortunates who blacks out from alcohol or is affected by memory loss when you drink a little too much. Either way, these can be difficult issues to combat especially if you enjoy the occasional drink.

Most of us have probably attempted going ‘dry’ for at least a short period, however complete sobriety can prove to be impossible for some. Perhaps a ‘damp’ lifestyle might be more sustainable!

What Is the Damp Lifestyle?

As opposed to saying goodbye to the drink forever and going totally sober, a ‘damp’ way of life would involve light to moderate drinking… but there are some rules!

Drinking mindfully is an encouraging and relaxed approach to obtaining healthy drinking habits for long-term success without entirely cutting alcohol out. 

Damp Lifestyle vs Dry Lifestyle

So… you are probably wondering what is the difference between going damp and going dry. In short, the first involves having the occasional bevvy, whilst the other means no alcohol intake at all.

If you’ve heard of Dry January, then you probably have a good understanding of what it means to go dry. Although this might be obtainable for one short month, giving up alcohol forever, and in one fell swoop is not as manageable as people may think.

Enter the ‘damp’ lifestyle, a viable and more achievable way of turning your life around when it comes to drinking.

@hana.elson & the perfect damp night is combining a lot of these habits! These are just starting points! Lmk what else I should add 🙂 #damplifestyle #sobercurious #dryjanuary #dryishjanuary ♬ original sound – Hana

How to do it?

The damp lifestyle motto, as chatted about by TikToker, Hana Elson, is that small changes lead to big results.

So, without further ado, here is a list of beginner rules inspired by Hana herself, to implement in your life to create a more positive relationship with alcohol.

• Pre-drink with a mocktail… “The way you start your night is how you will end it”
• Become okay with walking into an event sober
• Drink plenty of water in between each alcoholic beverage
• Drink lower volumes of alcohol
• Pace yourself!
• Find a hobby that doesn’t require drinking alcohol

If these rules seem a little too easy, and you want to take the damp regime more seriously, then why not follow these bigger changes?

• No hard alcohol/spirits
• No shots
• No mixing your alcohol
• Cinderella nights – Go home before the clock strikes 12

@heather.maio Sometimes removing things allows for real magic to happen #damplifestyle #sobercurious #sobercuriousjourney #ChevyEVSongContest #candycrush10 #growthmindset🌱 #growthmindset #YellowstoneTV #mommywineculturesucks ♬ Storytelling – Adriel

Most importantly, going damp involves drinking in moderation. So, when can I drink?

• Special occasions 
• Big events
• Try to keep your limit to one night out a month.

These subtle but life-altering changes will completely re-centre your relationship with alcohol.

What are the benefits of a Damp Lifestyle?

In life, we are constantly in search of the quick fix when it comes to bettering our lifestyles. However, a quick fix isn’t always going to be a long-term solution.

The damp life is almost like a transitory period before saying goodbye to alcohol for good. It allows people to create a space where they can be open to fun and social situations whilst at the same time prioritising their health and mental well-being.

Simply cutting back on alcohol intake has an abundance of positive benefits like no more hangovers, more money, lower blood sugar and blood pressure, healthier organs, weight loss and more energy. Honestly, the advantages that come with lower alcohol intake have no limits!

Words by Shauna Whyte 

• drinking
• health