January is a weird month. The holidays are over, your inbox is back in full force, you’re trying to rebalance your life and find resolutions that work - and suddenly everyone has opinions about what you should be doing with your body.
Dry January.
Damp January.
“Just one glass, it was a long day” January.
We’re not here to judge your glass - we just want to talk about something that might help you reset after the holiday chaos: Regular January. As in… regular bowel movements. No matter what you do to reset after the holidays, gut health should be part of your focus because of how much it impacts your overall wellness.
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The Gut Health-Overall Health Connection
After weeks of rich foods, late nights, travel, and yes festive beverages, your digestive system might be feeling the impact of those choices. It’s possible that you’re not as regular, maybe experience irritable bowels or diarrhea, which can potentially lead to ineffective nutrient absorption. Overtime, this can contribute to fatigue and deficiencies even if you are focusing on a healthier diet.
Or maybe your feeling a little “clogged” and things aren’t moving like they should. In cases of prolonged constipation, you’re body isn’t able to get rid of waste and toxins the way it needs to, which can make you feel sluggish, heavy, or foggy. About 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, so poor bowel health can impact the body’s ability to fight off infections or illness.
The gut-brain connection is real - so on top of everything else, continued irregularity or gastrointestinal distress can impact mood regulation, stress and anxiety levels, and can even affect neurotransmitters like serotonin. You can literally be sad from constipation!
How Alcohol Can Impact Your Gut (Just a Little Honesty)
We’re not anti-fun, but we are pro-facts.
Alcohol can impact bowel health in a few ways:
- Dehydration: Alcohol pulls water from your body, which can lead to harder, more difficult-to-pass stools.
- Gut irritation: It can irritate your digestive tract, sometimes leading to urgency… or the opposite problem entirely.
- Motility changes: Alcohol can speed things up or slow them down, making bowel habits unpredictable.
That doesn’t mean you need to swear off happy hour forever. It just means a little awareness (and hydration) goes a long way.
Tips for Staying Regular This January (No Matter What’s in Your Glass)
Whether you’re going dry, damp, or delightfully unchanged, shift your focus to helping your bowel regain a harmonious, healthy routine! Here’s how to support your gut and keep things moving:
💧 Hydrate like it’s your job - Water helps soften stool and supports digestion — especially important if alcohol is in the mix.
🥦 Prioritize fiber (but don’t overdo it) - Fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes help keep things moving. Increase gradually to avoid bloating.
🕒 Get on a schedule - Try to use the bathroom at the same time each day (hello, post-coffee routine). Your gut loves consistency.
🚶 Move your body - Gentle movement like walking can stimulate digestion and help encourage regularity.
🚽 Use better posture - Sitting with your feet elevated (👋 Squatty Potty) puts your body in a more natural position to poop, reducing strain and helping you fully empty - basically the ultimate January reset tool.
“Regular” Is the Real Reset
January doesn’t have to be about extremes. You don’t need to punish your body for December or follow someone else’s rules for what “healthy” looks like.
Dry January? Great.
Damp January? You do you.
Regular January? That’s something we can all get behind.
When your gut feels good, everything else just… flows better. So here’s to a January that’s balanced, realistic, and - most importantly - regular.
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