Take a Break from Drinking

Why does the pull to go to the bar in the afternoon feel almost automatic?
 
If you've ever found yourself heading out for an after-work drink and wondering why you can't seem to stop, you're not alone. The truth is, the after-work drink works. It changes how you feel fast. And that's exactly why the pattern can feel so hard to break.
 
In this Listener Q&A episode, you'll hear Michael's question about how to stop going to the bar in the afternoon. You'll learn why the issue isn't a lack of discipline and why willpower keeps failing, how to interrupt autopilot patterns, and how to build new end-of-day transition strategies that actually meet your needs.
 
Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/
 
Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/
 
Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/457

What's behind the pressure to drink, and why do we feel the need to prove we can handle it?
 
In today's episode, guest coach Patrick Fox is here to discuss how ego and the fear of looking weak shape drinking behaviors, especially for men. While this conversation focuses on masculinity, the themes are relevant for anyone who has ever thought, "I don't want anyone to think I have a problem."
 
Listen in to hear Patrick's insights on the cultural pressures that encourage men to drink, especially in social and professional settings. You'll also learn how ego and the fear of looking weak perpetuate drinking patterns, why shifting your relationship with alcohol starts with recognizing your own values, and how reframing your thinking can help you break free from these pressures.
 
Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/
 
Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/
 
Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/456

What if changing your drinking didn't have to start with quitting, cutting back, or figuring everything out?
 
For many people, the hardest part of the habit isn't the drink itself, but the moment the urge shows up and feels impossible to ignore. That pressure can make it seem like change has to be dramatic or all-or-nothing to count.
 
This week, you'll learn a deceptively simple shift that can interrupt the habit without triggering panic or white-knuckling: delay. Listen in to hear how delaying the drink helps you get off autopilot, especially during the evening witching hour, why creating space between the urge and the action helps your brain learn something new, and why even imperfect attempts still matter.
 
Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/
 
Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/
 
Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/455

Why does watching sports without a drink feel like something is missing?
 
Whether you love the game, tolerate it, or just see it as an excuse to get together, alcohol can feel baked into the entire experience. When you start thinking about drinking less, this connection can make it feel like sports, parties, or even belonging itself won't be the same.
 
Listen in this week to learn why sports and drinking feel so connected and what's really happening in your brain when alcohol isn't there. You'll hear how expectations, not necessity, drive that uneasy or restless feeling, why your brain often interprets "unexpected" as "something's wrong," and how to relate differently to boredom, excitement, or social pressure on game day.
 
Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/
 
Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/
 
Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/454

If you've ever worried that not drinking will make you boring, wondered whether your friendships can survive without alcohol, or if part of you thinks maybe you should just have one drink to keep things normal, this episode is for you.
 
In this week's listener Q&A, you'll hear a question from Sean, who fears losing his friendships if he stops joining in with drinking.
 
Tune in to learn why you believe you need alcohol to be your "best self," what's really happening when you drink to feel comfortable socially, and how to access the ease and connection you want without needing a chemical mute button.
 
Find a personalized approach that helps you change your habit in my new book, The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less, here: https://rachelhart.com/guide/
 
Discover alternative approaches to drinking less inside our membership program, Take a Break: https://rachelhart.com/tab/
 
Get the full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/453