In the UK, 78% of 18-24 year olds practice "zebra striping," alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. — Photo: Jesus Rodriguez / Getty Images, via ETX Daily UP
"Zebra striping" could be an alternative solution for anyone who's not giving up alcohol completely for "dry January.” This concept has nothing to do with black-and-white animals, but offers a practical way to moderate your alcohol consumption. Here's how it works.
It can be easy to feel guilty when you don't feel up to the challenge of a completely "dry January." And that's precisely why this British challenge was launched in 2013: to question our relationship with alcohol. Still, alternatives already exist to help people make changes in their own way, such as "damp January,” which involves reducing the number of drinks compared to your usual consumption. There's also the "sober curious” movement, which involves being conscious of your consumption and checking whether you can control it. The approach follows on from Ruby Warrington's book "Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol,” published in 2018.
