Does Alcohol Really Relax You? The Truth About Wine, Stress & Anxiety

Does that glass of wine really help you relax after a stressful day, or could it be contributing to the stress and anxiety you're trying to escape? In Season 2, Episode 4 of More Than the Glass, Gillian and Karen from Our Circle explore one of the most common beliefs about drinking, that alcohol helps us unwind. We've both been there. That feeling of finally pouring a glass of wine after a long day and thinking, "Thank goodness, I can relax now." But what if part of that relief comes from simply allowing ourselves to stop? In this honest conversation, we explore: - Why we associate alcohol with relaxation and reward - The familiar ritual of pouring a glass of wine after a busy day - How alcohol can affect stress, anxiety and sleep - Why temporary relief isn't always the same as genuine rest - How drinking can become our automatic response to overwhelm - Finding other ways to relax and reconnect with what we actually need We also share our own experiences of changing our relationship with alcohol and learning that rest doesn't have to come in a glass. If you're a busy mum, sober curious or simply questioning whether alcohol is helping you feel the way you want to feel, this episode is for you. 🤍 ABOUT MORE THAN THE GLASS We're Gillian and Karen, founders of Our Circle. We help mums gently step away from alcohol and reconnect with themselves, so life feels calmer, clearer and happier. Because we deserve more. 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033h5IHunT6jIsBFXzbQhP 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/more-than-the-glass-because-we-deserve-more/id1896794876 🎧 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/d895e525-f407-4f83-ac1c-e613e24754a8/more-than-the-glass-because-we-deserve-more?ref=dm_sh_iUTTlHlLHdppFujBrIXXy8SnK Find out more about Our Circle: https://our-circle.co.uk #AlcoholAndAnxiety #AlcoholFreeLiving #SoberCurious #StressAndAlcohol #MoreThanTheGlass