7 Ways to Change Your Relationship with Alcohol
How is it that alcohol is a socially accepted drug that we are encouraged to have more of, and yet can also be one of the most damaging to our physical and mental health?
If we are struggling with menopause symptoms, from hot flashes through to insomnia and anxiety, it may be worth re-considering your relationship with alcohol and here are 7 ways to start. Whether you’re looking to cut back on alcohol, or actually any habit you wish played a smaller part of your life, think sugar or even online shopping, then this is for you.
1. Visualise Your Ideal Relationship with Alcohol
Start with the end in mind. What does your perfect scenario look like? Is it enjoying a glass on special occasions, or perhaps going completely alcohol-free? Visualise where you want to be and set your path accordingly. Remember, this isn’t about a problem; it’s about wanting more for yourself.
2. Shed the All-or-Nothing Mindset
Progress is better than perfection. If the thought of going completely dry is overwhelming, aim to reduce gradually. How about reducing to just 1 or 2 nights a week, or on occasions only. Or cutting down from a bottle of wine to 2-3 glasses. Even small steps, when you take them consistently, can lead to significant changes.
3. Seek Out Support
If you find going it alone challenging, there’s a wealth of support available. In The Hormone Code we cover How Alcohol Impacts Your Hormones, and can support you with strategies to redefine your relationship with alcohol.
Support apps such as Daybreak, books like This Naked Mind or The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, or podcasts such as Sober Awkward can be really helpful. If you feel you have an alcohol addiction, medical support is crucial. Find something that resonates with you. Remember to be curious… who knows where you’ll go!
4. It's Okay to Want to Drink Less
You don’t need a severe issue or “problem” to decide to cut back. Whether you’re consuming a bottle a night or a couple of drinks a week, if you want to reduce, that’s your choice. You don’t have to justify your choices to others. Compare yourself only to the person you aim to be, not others.
5. Kickstart with a Detox
A short detox, like a 10-day break, can be a great way to reset. It’s an opportunity to listen to your body’s reaction to life without alcohol and adjust your journey accordingly. Join my 10 Day Kickstart HERE
6. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Remove alcohol from easy access. Just as we’re more tempted by visible snacks, the same goes for alcohol. By making it less accessible, not having it in the fridge or even in the house, you’re supporting your own commitment to change.
7. Make Daily Supportive Decisions
Invest in your commitment. If it’s not in the fridge, you’re less likely to drink it. Make small, daily choices that align with your goals, such as driving a different route to avoid the bottle shop or cancelling that wine subscription.
Changing your relationship with alcohol doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Whether it’s cutting back or cutting it out, remember, the goal is a healthier, happier you. Remember, at the Hormone Hub, you’re never alone in this journey.
About Kylie Pinwill
Kylie is an accredited nutritionist and host of The Hormone Hub podcast – for women in perimenopause and menopause.
Kylie supports busy, driven women who are feeling lethargic and foggy, struggling with weight gain, bloating and hot flushes, to balance their hormones, reset their metabolisms and better manage stress so they can feel happier, more energised, and get on with living life.
For Kylie, this stage of life can be challenging but it doesn’t need to be.
She believes that we just need to do it differently.
