What if the anxiety you've lived with for years could disappear by changing just one habit?

Lauren never questioned the drinking culture she grew up with in the UK, where pubs were central to every social occasion. When the pandemic hit shortly after her move to Canada, she began noticing how alcohol had shifted from enjoyment to an unsatisfying habit. Through research and repeatedly listening to This Naked Mind, Lauren began building an alcohol-free lifestyle that lasts, taking extended breaks from drinking that revealed surprising benefits—including the complete disappearance of her anxiety. In this episode, she shares her journey of ups and downs, the importance of self-compassion after slip-ups, and how she's found more genuine joy and connection without alcohol at the center of her life.

In this episode, Annie and Lauren discuss:

From British pub culture to questioning alcohol's role

How the pandemic revealed problematic drinking patterns

The process of building an alcohol-free lifestyle that lasts

Why tracking "failures" can be counterproductive

The complete disappearance of anxiety after reducing alcohol

Discovering genuine joy without drinking

The surprising impact on hormone health and overall wellness

Finding alternatives to "chasing the high" after activities

Recognizing the link between alcohol and emotional stability

Creating new traditions beyond drinking culture

And other topics…

Episode links:

Related Episodes:

EP 445: Finding Joy with Catherine Gray - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-445-finding-joy-with-catherine-gray/

EP 448: What I Wish I Knew Before My First Drink – The Thief of Joy - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-448-what-i-wish-i-knew-before-my-first-drink-the-thief-of-joy/

EP 20: Reader Question – What do You do about Missing the “High” from Drinking? - https://thisnakedmind.com/ep-20-reader-question-what-do-you-do-about-missing-the-high-from-drinking/

Ready to take the next step on your journey? 

Visit https://learn.thisnakedmind.com/podcast-resources for free resources, programs, and more. Until next week, stay curious!