Drinking is a huge part of our culture and so engrained in the way we socialize, entertain and relax. So much so that it’s hard to imagine a couple glasses of wine or a cocktail doing us any real harm. The fact is, a lot of midlifers—especially women around menopause—begin experiencing an intolerance to alcohol or no longer liking the way it makes them feel. And just when we thought some types of alcohol offer health benefits, some of that research is now being called into question. On this episode, functional nutritionist Teri Patterson, a sobriety and mindful drinking coach, helps you sort through the confusion. She debunks some of the most common myths associated with drinking, and explains how alcohol affects your body and health—so you can make more informed choices about your drinking habits.
Among the issues Teri and I chat about:
- The reasons she “broke up” with alcohol a few years ago, and why she’s on a mission to help people understand the impacts of alcohol consumption
- The multitude of ways our culture encourages social drinking
- When and why women’s uptake of alcohol consumption started to increase
- How alcohol affects you biologically and the risks associated with its consumption
- Why even light drinking may be associated with certain health risks
- How alcohol particularly affects women in midlife—especially those navigating menopause and other hormonal changes—and why you may be experiencing more side effects these days after having only one or two drinks
- What an “alcohol break” looks like and how it can be beneficial for anyone, even a light drinker
- How to determine whether or not alcohol is serving you, and what to do if you decide to cut back or stop altogether
- How to know if you have a problem with alcohol, or if someone close to you does
Please join Teri and me for this thought-provoking discussion!
About Our Guest
Teri Patterson is a functional nutritionist and a This Naked Mind senior coach. She blends her knowledge of nutrition with her passion for living an alcohol-free life into a unique business called the Sober Nutritionist. Since becoming a sober/mindful drinking coach in 2019, Teri has helped thousands of people take a break from drinking and create true wellness. She’s excited to expand her mission of helping people discover true wellness to include her signature program The SELF Experience, exclusively for women who have stopped drinking and are ready to start living. Teri is also the host of the popular podcast The Sober Edge, Inspiration for Alcohol-Free Living. You can find Teri at her website, or on Instagram.
About More Beautiful
Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that’s more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama’s midlife.
Check out more episodes of the More Beautiful Podcast.
Additional Show Notes
If you suspect that you or someone you know has a drinking problem, or if you want to learn more about alcohol addition, please consider the following resources:
- The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- American Addiction Centers
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Please note that this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice.
