Molly Watts
Molly Watts, Author & Coach
Peaceful Holidays Start with a Plan
Peaceful Holidays Start with a Plan
Peaceful Holidays Start with a Plan
Monday 19th May 2025
Discover how to enjoy holiday gatherings with peace and confidence by using mindfulness and planning in your approach to alcohol.
19 minutes
Informative
Supportive
Encouraging
Inspiring
Hopeful
About this podcast
Author:
Molly Watts
Overview:
Categories:
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
276 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Creating Peaceful Holidays: A Mindful Approach to Drinking
Episode Overview
- Holidays can trigger old drinking patterns due to nostalgia and social cues.
- Mindfulness helps disrupt these patterns by downregulating negative mental chatter.
- Anticipation of a drink often creates more dopamine than the drink itself.
- Planning ahead with a 'doable drink plan' can reduce anxiety around social events.
- Awareness and curiosity are key tools for creating new habits.
"Awareness of this gap between what we expect alcohol to deliver and what it actually does creates room for change."
The 'Alcohol Minimalist Podcast' with Molly Watts is a treasure trove for anyone looking to reshape their relationship with alcohol, especially during those festive periods that often bring old habits back into the spotlight. In this episode titled 'Peaceful Holidays Start with a Plan', Molly dives into the science and psychology behind why holidays can trigger drinking patterns and how mindfulness can be your secret weapon to maintaining peace and clarity.
Molly shares her personal journey, shedding light on how past family experiences with alcohol shaped her habits, and how she overcame them. She explains the concept of the 'habit loop' and how recognising cues like holiday weekends can help you make conscious choices rather than falling into old patterns. The episode offers insights into the neuroscience of craving, highlighting that the anticipation of a drink often creates more dopamine than the drink itself. With contributions from experts like Dr.
Judd Brewer and Dr. Anna Lembke, Molly provides actionable strategies to break free from these loops. She emphasises the power of planning – not as a rigid rule but as a tool for freedom. By setting intentions and creating a 'doable drink plan', you can navigate social situations with confidence and ease. Molly's approach is compassionate and practical, encouraging listeners to stay curious and supportive of themselves.
Whether you're planning to drink or not, this episode equips you with the tools to enjoy your holidays without anxiety, guilt, or regret. As you prepare for your next holiday gathering, ask yourself: What kind of experience do you want to create? Dive into this episode to find out how you can make that vision a reality.