January 14, 2026
Dry January workplace productivity is usually the last thing people think about during a personal reset, but Employee Benefit News asked Dr. Sherma Morton, Eleanor Health’s National Medical Director, to make that exact case, framing it as one of the clearest Dry January benefits at work that companies overlook.
From there, Morton says people typically report better skin, better weight control, and better mental health within the first couple of weeks, and those individual changes don’t stay personal for long. For the person doing the mindful pause and noticing they’re sleeping better, their weight is better and their energy is better, that’s going to translate into a better work environment and better work productivity, she told Employee Benefit News. She connected the dots on burnout specifically too, noting that burnout and workplace stress tend to move hand in hand with drinking patterns, which makes a month off alcohol one of the more overlooked Dry January benefits at work employers can point to.
“There are EAP programs that allow people to get the help they need anonymously.”
— Dr. Sherma Morton, Eleanor Health
Morton’s message to HR leaders is that the resources often already exist, they just go underused. Employee Assistance Programs can offer anonymous access to support, which matters as much as the support itself. It’s not something that needs to be a secret, she said, and normalizing that openness is part of what actually drives Dry January workplace productivity gains employers can see and measure.
About Eleanor Health
Media Contact: marketing@eleanorhealth.com
Eleanor Health delivers comprehensive, evidence-based care for individuals affected by substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and mental health conditions. With a whole-person, trauma-informed approach, Eleanor Health is committed to improving the lives of its members, their families, and their communities.
