86: Natural Health & Sobriety with Janey Lee Grace - Episode 8686: Natural Health & Sobriety with Janey Lee Grace - Episode 86
UK Health Radio Podcast
Janey Lee Grace shares how quitting alcohol reshaped her identity and discusses practical ways to feel comfortable and confident while sober. She and retreat consultant Caroline Silger talk about simple, accessible retreat practices that can help with stress, self-care and living more intentionally.
39:14•2 Apr 2026
Natural Health, Retreats and a New Sober Identity with Janey Lee Grace
Episode Overview
- Early sobriety often feels like losing a long-held ‘party persona’, so give yourself time to grow into a new, alcohol-free identity.
- Use visualisation to rehearse being a confident sober person at social events, then act “as if” until it feels natural.
- Retreating doesn’t have to be expensive or lengthy; even an hour with your phone off and a clear intention can bring real calm.
- Simple structure helps a retreat day: include some gentle movement, real rest, and small rituals to mark the beginning and end.
- Tasks like decluttering can become a meaningful retreat if you approach them mindfully, start small, and set a clear purpose.
“"I have never met anyone who preferred themselves drinking."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This chat between natural health advocate Janey Lee Grace and retreat expert Caroline Silger brings together two big themes: life without alcohol and the power of stepping back from everyday chaos. Janey shares how quitting alcohol eight and a half years ago felt like finally facing the “elephant in the room”.
She talks about the strange, exposed feeling of losing the old ‘party girl’ identity and learning to “step into this new identity that's waiting there for you”. Her tip for early sobriety? Visualise your future self as the confident, relaxed sober guest at the party, and literally “play the role of someone who is the confident, sassy, sober hero” until it starts to feel real. The conversation then shifts to retreats.
Caroline, dubbed “the queen of retreats”, explains how retreating is simply the human urge to “draw back” when life feels too loud, stressed or overwhelming. She’s keen to show that you don’t need a big budget, a fortnight off work or stretchy yoga clothes to benefit. With ideas for one-hour pauses, home-based day retreats and longer DIY getaways, she focuses on simple principles: intention, small rituals, moments of rest and gentle movement, and most importantly, turning off the phone.
Caroline even reframes decluttering as a kind of retreat, especially for those who feel emotionally stuck around their stuff. She suggests starting with a tiny space and treating the process as a mindful, purposeful act rather than a dreaded chore. Both Janey and Caroline keep circling back to the same core message: small, intentional breaks – whether from alcohol, screens, or clutter – can shift how you feel about yourself and your life.
If you’re curious about sober living, craving time out, or just wondering how to press pause without escaping to a luxury spa, this conversation might give you some new ideas to play with.
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