As we finish up part three of our three part series, we open up a HUGE can of worms with a conversation about alcohol. We know it’s a doozy (or maybe a boozy) of a topic. Kellie and Claire come at this issue from vastly different perspectives but as always hope to find common understanding as they look at some of the dangers of the mommy wine culture, how alcohol impacts military families, and what others’ motivations for drinking are. They close out the episode with some practical tips on how to drink less alcohol.
Advice Not Given:
- After having several personal conversations about the topic and drama associated with alcohol we just kept avoiding this as an episode topic. However, in looking ahead to 2020 and rounding out some good personal habits with moving more and eating better, we felt this idea of drinking less fit perfectly with this theme.
- Earlier this month Military Families Magazine published a story of a military spouse, Allison Evans, who has celebrated 1,000 days sober after a difficult time in her life involving drinking to excess.
- Kellie and Claire are a little gun shy about this discussion because they come at the issue from very different sides of the issue: Kellie loves a good glass of wine but wants to be conscious that everyone’s use of alcohol may be very different, she drinks socially but she understands the struggle that people face with moderation. Claire is a complete tee-totaler and abstainer.
- We read research that claims that the military ranks as the number one job where people drink the most days during a given year. The military also tops the list for the highest binge drinking career. We wonder if this is true due to deployments? Due to small-talk/nerves in social situations? Is there simply a correlation to blowing off steam? There are also events where there is ceremonial drinking within the celebration culture (military balls, “pouring one out…”)--is this unique to the military profession?
- How do we call awareness to this issue and its related problems? How do you begin to put healthy boundaries in place? How do you know and control your personal limits?
- What about service member SPOUSES and the drinking culture of military spouses and the pervasive use of alcohol? How do we tie relaxation and self care to a giant glass of wine? Does “military life” stress exacerbate the use of alcohol? Is there a behavioral relaxation that comes with even a non-alcoholic mocktail? It has been embraced as the norm. There is a problem when we don’t embrace the non-drinker and also when alcohol becomes a crutch.
- Any compulsive behavior can lead to a shame cycle--why are you doing this thing and can you ask yourself how can you curb it, clean it up, and take back control over it…
- Claire names reasons she thinks most people drink alcohol: for fun, for relaxation, to take the edge off, to numb pain or discomfort. Kellie adds: the epicure-aspect.
- Advice Not Given: We share the 11 tips from Harvard Health on how to curb your drinking-- no personal advice on drinking but we share that small, daily changes can impact your longterm wellness…
- We leave you with Happy New Year wishes for 2020 and a thank you for helping us make 2019 such a fantastic year!
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