2707: Alcohol and Anxiety: Does Drinking Really Help You Relax? by Tonya Lester on Healthy Living

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2707: Tonya Lester challenges the common belief that alcohol relieves anxiety, explaining how it can actually exacerbate stress and disrupt sleep, leading to a harmful cycle. By exploring the brain's response to alcohol and offering practical steps to assess and reduce drinking, Lester encourages a more mindful approach to alcohol use for better mental health. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.tonyalester.com/blog/alcohol-and-anxiety-does-drinking-really-help-you-relax Quotes to ponder: "Alcohol as medication is a terrible idea. If your drinking is medicinal, it's time to look for safer, more effective ways to cope." "The slowing down of the excitatory neurotransmitter is how alcohol acts as a depressant. Once dopamine levels go back to normal, we're still left with a depressed system, which often leads to another drink to get the dopamine levels back up." "Sleep is the ultimate self-care activity. The importance of quality sleep in all mental health issues, and overall well-being, cannot be overstated." Episode references: Why We Sleep: https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144316 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices