We made it out of December alive… and now we’re in January.
That strange bit of the year where the tree’s gone, the fridge is a little emptier, the bank account is quietly judging you, and suddenly everyone is cutting something out.
If you’re anything like me, December is the month where the inhibitions loosen a bit.
A bit more food than usual.
A bit more drink than usual.
A bit less structure than usual.
And you know what? That’s absolutely fine.
December is meant for that. It’s understood. It’s accepted. It’s part of the deal. January then rolls around and we collectively go, “Right… probably time to rein it back in.”
For some people, that’s Dry January.
For others, it’s cutting out chocolate, takeaways, or late nights.
For me, I don’t really drink all that much, so Dry January isn’t really my thing – but January is the time where I reset routines. Getting back into patterns, creating some structure, and building healthy habits again… as much as the children’s routines allow, anyway.
Dropping something… but gaining something else
Here’s the thinking behind Drop the Pint for a…
If you’re dropping something in January anyway – alcohol, coffees, treats, takeaways – there’s often a side effect people don’t really think about:
You save money without actually trying to.
Let’s take alcohol as an easy example.
A couple of pints after work, a drink or two at the weekend… it adds up quicker than we realise.
Rough maths (nothing too scientific):
- £6 a pint
- 2 pints, twice a week
- That’s roughly £96 over a month
And that’s before wine at home, meals out, or the “just one” that turns into three.
Now compare that to some of the things people often put off – or simply don’t prioritise for themselves:
- 30-minute massage – £45
- Chiropractic follow-up – £55
- Acupuncture follow-up – £60
- 15-minute PT discovery session – free
Suddenly the thing that’s been sitting on the “I really should sort that” list feels a lot more achievable.
This isn’t about punishment
This isn’t about replacing one restriction with another.
And it’s definitely not about guilt.
January health kicks shouldn’t feel like punishment for enjoying December. They should feel like support.
Most people I see aren’t trying to become elite athletes. They just want:
- Less back or neck pain
- Better movement
- More energy
- To feel like they’re actually looking after themselves again
Very often the barrier isn’t motivation – it’s permission.
Permission to spend a bit of time and money on themselves.
Dropping something small can create that space.
Boosting the momentum you already have
If you’re already:
- Walking more
- Getting back into the gym
- Sorting sleep
- Thinking about food choices
Then adding some hands-on care or guidance can actually amplify what you’re already doing – not replace it.
It’s not: “I’ll get treatment instead of being healthy.”
It’s: “I’ll use treatment to help me stay healthy.”
That’s a very different mindset.
No hard sell – just a reframe
This isn’t me telling you to book something because it’s January.
It’s simply a reframe.
If you’re dropping a pint, a takeaway, or a habit anyway…
You might already have the resource to finally address:
- That back pain you’ve been managing
- That tightness you keep stretching but never fully shift
- That niggle you keep hoping will just disappear
January doesn’t need to be extreme.
It can just be about small swaps that add up.
So give it a go, fill in the blanks below:
Drop the pint for a…
Drop a habit…
And maybe pick up something that actually supports how you want to feel for the rest of the year.
