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White January: Do not give up even if you slipped this weekend
- Nordic Alcohol and Drug Policy Network
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
20.01.2026 - The third Monday in January is often referred to as “the worst day of the year”, because motivation drops and old habits easily take over after New Year. “The health benefits do not disappear even if you drank this weekend,” says Secretary General Ragnhild Kaski of the alcohol-awareness organisation Av-og-til.
More and more Norwegians start the year with White January, but it can be difficult to change a habit.
“If you ended up drinking this weekend, you can still be confident that your body notices that you have taken a break from alcohol,” says Ragnhild Kaski at Av-og-til.
Every glass you cut is good for your health
Kaski believes White January has value even if the month does not become completely alcohol-free.
“Many people experience better sleep, more energy, and a more conscious relationship with alcohol. You take that with you, whether January was completely white or not.”
She has one clear piece of advice on “the worst day of the year”:
“Do not give up even if you slipped. It is never too late to make good choices for your health, not even on a Monday at the end of January.”
Survey: One in three have tried a “white month”
Taking a period without alcohol is popular. As many as one in three Norwegians have completed a “white month” during the last two years, according to a survey carried out by Ipsos on behalf of Av-og-til.
According to the same survey, many experienced positive health benefits:
44% slept better
38% had more energy and felt more refreshed
26% saw better training results
24% had a generally healthier diet and lifestyle during that month
About the survey
Ipsos carried out the survey among a representative sample of Norwegians. Around 3,000 respondents (aged 18+) answered. The data was collected January to March this year through Ipsos’ web panel.
Have you, at any time during the last 2 years, completed a “white month”?
Total | Men | Women | 18–29 | 30–39 | 40–49 | 50–59 | 60–69 | 70+ | |
Yes | 33% | 34% | 32% | 51% | 45% | 34% | 28% | 21% | 15% |
No | 67% | 66% | 68% | 49% | 55% | 66% | 72% | 79% | 85% |
Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Have you, at any time during the last 2 years, considered taking a “white month”?
2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
Yes | 26% | 27% | 27% | 28% | 32% |
No | 74% | 73% | 73% | 72% | 68% |
What effects or changes did you experience after taking a “white month” (a break from alcohol for one month)?
Total | Men | Women | |
More energy and felt more refreshed | 38% | 41% | 34% |
Better sleep | 44% | 49% | 40% |
Better training results | 26% | 29% | 22% |
Had difficulties completing it, wanted to drink before the month was over | 9% | 9% | 8% |
Experienced pressure to drink and questions about why I did not drink | 15% | 16% | 14% |
Drank less alcohol after the month than I used to | 22% | 24% | 19% |
Had a generally healthier diet and lifestyle during the month | 24% | 25% | 23% |
Found it just as easy to be social as usual | 18% | 17% | 19% |
Found it more demanding to take part in social activities | 13% | 13% | 14% |
Received positive feedback from others | 14% | 15% | 13% |
Received negative feedback from others | 5% | 4% | 5% |
None of these | 19% | 15% | 23% |
Do not know / do not remember | 6% | 6% | 7% |