Why trying Dry January is my smartest decision of 2021 so far

Dry January

When Lizzie Fletcher decided to quit booze for January, she had no idea how many benefits it would bring

By Lizzie Fletcher

Every January, people across the UK sign up to take part in Alcohol Change UK’s Dry January challenge. The premise is relatively simple: for the first month of the year, participants do not consume any alcohol.

    ...for many it’s an opportunity to feel healthier, save money and, perhaps most importantly, reset their relationship with alcohol.  

In 2019, an estimated 4.2 million people took part in the challenge, and this will no doubt have increased this year. People’s reasons for trying Dry January differ, but for many it’s an opportunity to feel healthier, save money and, perhaps most importantly, reset their relationship with alcohol.

Last year, I decided to give it a go. I wanted to try to be healthier generally, and what better way to kick-start the process than quitting the booze for 31 days straight?

The first few days were easy enough. I had a fairly indulgent Christmas and New Year period, so a respite from alcohol was welcome.

Dry January - Just RecruitmentLike many people, I felt pretty sluggish coming into the New Year. Drinking has a heavy impact on your sleep cycle, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic the morning after. Within just a few days of giving up, I noticed I was sleeping much better and waking up feeling energetic and motivated.

Along with a boost in my mood, an additional benefit has been the effect abstaining from alcohol has had on my bank balance. It sounds silly, but I hadn’t ever thought about how much I spend on booze. This is the first January I have ever managed to save money. It’s made me think about the things I could put my cash towards in the future if I were to continue cutting out the drinking.

I am really glad to have taken on Dry January. A large part of the process is evaluating your own relationship with alcohol. I’ve come to recognise that staying sober is sometimes the better option.

I would be lying if I said I’m never going to drink again. But I’m saving money, sleeping better and have been far more productive in both my work and personal life over the past few weeks.

I’ll raise a glass (of sparkling water) to that.

Three non-alcoholic drinks to bring some sparkle to Dry January

Brewdog Punk AF Alcohol Free IPA: I’m a fan of the original Brewdog Punk IPA, so was excited to try this alcohol-free offering. It has a great balanced taste, and it was easy to forget I was drinking a low-alcohol version. If beer is your preferred tipple, a plethora of alcohol-free and low-alcohol options are available. Check out Just Recruitment’s tasting notes to find one that suits your tastes.

Seedlip Spice 94: At £26 a bottle, this product isn’t cheap. But it’s innovative and worth a try simply because there’s not much like it on the market. It’s a spirit alternative made with botanicals, and is a great option if you’re missing your Friday night G&T. Serve over ice with a nice tonic and you’ll soon be, erm, ‘ginning’ from ear to ear.

Thomson & Scott Noughty Sparkling Wine: I have a penchant for prosecco, and found it hard to find a decent alcohol-free alternative. This offering from Thomson & Scott changed that. It comes in a traditional bottle with a cork to pop, which is a nice touch. Again, it isn’t the cheapest option, but I’ve come to realise that with alcohol-free drinks, it can be worth paying a little extra for good quality.

 

© Copyright 2021 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 11 January 2021

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Six ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions alive

You may also enjoy: Why alcohol-free beer may be the perfect summer tipple

Jobs currently available

Service Engineer (Gas Safe)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Guildford
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB15
About the role

Just Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Service Engineer, ideally located in the Guildford area, to cover South East London and the South East England region.

The role will involve carrying out routine servicing and maintenance, including filter changes and breakdown repairs, across a wide range of company units. You will need to have a good level of physical fitness and be comfortable working at heights.

Occasional call-out cover will also be required to support a key local customer.

Key requirements include:

  • Must have a full driving licence
  • Must be Gas Safe Registered, ideally with CoNGLP1 PD COCN 1 CIGA 1
  • CDGA 1 ACS accreditations
  • Electrical/Mechanical/Engineering background required
  • Experience with gas/oil burners
  • Self-motivated and innovative
  • Ability to use initiative and have excellent customer liaison skills

The benefits package includes:

  • Competitive salary depending on experience, overtime, paid door to door (at 1.5x (travel included)
  • Company Vehicle
  • Mobile Phone / Tablet
  • Pension
  • Private Health Scheme
  • 25 Days Holidays

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Electrical Maintenance Engineer (Days)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB22
About the role

Just Recruitment is currently recruiting an Electrical Maintenance Engineer for their client based in Braintree, Essex.

The purpose of this role is to take a proactive approach to preventing equipment failure and to ensure that all planned preventative maintenance (PM) schedules are completed effectively and on time.

You will work as an integral part of the maintenance team, supporting the achievement of quality, waste reduction, efficiency, and KPI targets, while ensuring all Health & Safety procedures are adhered to at all times.

Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm.
20 days holiday rising to 25 days for every year worked, plus bank holidays.
The company operates a 1:3 call-out system.

Qualifications and job skills required:

  • Previous manufacturing / processing / warehouse / cold store industry experience.
  • Electrical bias, electrical qualifications/time served apprenticeship.
  • 4 years’ experience
  • A good standard of both written and oral English.
  • Basic Health & Safety.
  • Data and analytical skills.
  • Computer literate. (Word/Excel/Windows-based packages).

Desirable skills:

  • PLC, hydraulics, temperature control, instrumentation, welding, FLT/MEWP licence.
  • Can do approach, drive and ambition towards maintenance excellence.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Part-Time Finance Manager
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913741
About the role

Just Recruitment is supporting a growing, sector-leading business in Sudbury that is looking for a Part-Time Finance Manager to join their team.

The key purpose of this role is to manage the Finance Department and to support senior management in all areas of finance and accounting, reporting directly to the MD and being responsible for an Accounts Assistant.

Key duties include:

  • Reconciling current accounts on SAGE.
  • Updating the cash flow spreadsheet and reviewing.
  • Loading purchase invoices onto SAGE and distributing them for approval.
  • Producing Balance of Accounts for Finance Meeting.
  • Reviewing the sales ledger and purchase ledger.
  • Compiling supplier invoices, reviewing and loading for payment via Bacs, updating SAGE and sending remittance advice.
  • Managing SAGE backups.
  • Reconciling all bank accounts against paper statements.
  • Loading credit card payments onto SAGE and reconciling against the paper statement.
  • Calculating commission figures for payroll.
  • Processing wages – gathering all timesheets and expenses, compiling and sending to an outsourced company, receiving documents and payslips back, loading Bacs payments and sending payslips and loading Journals onto SAGE.
  • Downloading monthly supplier invoices.
  • Creating monthly sales invoices.
  • Compiling and filing VAT returns.
  • Compiling required documents for accountants at the financial year end, processing SAGE year-end end and communicating as necessary with accountants
  • Managing commercial and vehicle insurance. Reviewing current circumstances, reassessing cover and requirements, and supplying supporting documents.
  • All property management tasks with support from the Accounts Assistant.
  • Reconciling rental payments from the agent’s statement.
  • Communicating with and managing tenants when required.
  • Supporting other departments as required.

This is a part-time role - working 20 - 25 hours per week - this role is office-based, and the ideal candidate will be able to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, but hours can be flexible.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a lovely business, with a great ethos and a long-standing team.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Engineer (North West Region)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: North West
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913740
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing, industry-leading business seeking to add a Field Service Engineer to its team. This role will cover the North West region, including Manchester, Lancashire, and the surrounding areas.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the installation, commissioning, service, repair, breakdown, and maintenance of the company’s range of capital equipment across a variety of environments in the North West.

Duties include:

  • Installation, commissioning, maintenance, and fault finding of a wide range of different manufactured and third‐party equipment.
  • Provide user training to end clients when required.
  • Provide feedback to customers on any issues raised during a commissioning, maintenance, or fault‐finding visit.

To be considered for this exciting role, you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of level 3 or above in electrical installation/engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline with 3 years’ experience. Alternatively, a gold card electrician would be considered along with 2391 testing and inspection.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

Key requirements include:

  • Previous experience in performing in a technical field service team.
  • Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills.
  • Ability to present information in a structured and balanced way.
  • Good working knowledge of Word and Excel.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Positive ‘can‐do’ attitude.
  • Problem solver ‐ ability to engineer solutions on the job.
  • Ability to work and manage in a high‐pressure environment.
  • Work autonomously, taking initiative to resolve customer issues.
  • Willing to travel and work unsociable hours when needed.
  • Some overnight stays are required.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class organisation.

You will be:

  • Joining a national team of Field Service personnel who take great pride in their work and who aim to build upon long-term relationships with customers.
  • Continually challenged as you are exposed to new technologies.
  • You will receive constant support and guidance from senior management, and your technical knowledge will be enhanced through training courses.

For those with the desire, there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.

In return, you will benefit from dedicated product training, recognised by the industry, which will run on an ongoing basis as new products are introduced. A generous remuneration package is also guaranteed, including a competitive salary, company healthcare package, contributory pension scheme, phone, and laptop, along with the opportunity to progress your career within a market-leading organisation.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more