Fall's drinking culture can feel relentless—from tailgate kegs to festival wine tastings, the pressure to sip (or over-sip) is everywhere. In this episode, we explore how diet mentality sneaks into our relationship with alcohol, creating the same restriction-rebound cycles we see with food.

Drawing on neuroscience from Annie Grace's This Naked Mind and evidence-based research, Cheryl Hall unpacks why fall drinking pressure feels so intense and offers three core principles for freedom: unconditional permission, tuning into body signals, and respecting emotional needs without numbing.

Whether you choose mindful drinking, alcohol-free alternatives, or skipping entirely—this episode empowers you to own your choices with zero regrets.

Weekly Challenge:

Attend one fall event this week and practice full permission—choosing whatever feels genuinely right (alcohol, AF, coffee, or nothing). Check in before, during, and after to notice what comes up.

Resources:

• This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
• Athletic Brewing IPA is my favorite!!
• Carbine, K. A., et al. (2019). The relationship between dietary restraint and binge eating: Examining eating-related self-efficacy as a moderator. Appetite, 127, 126-129.
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2023). Alcohol Facts and Statistics.
• Sirois, F. M., & Hirsch, J. K. (2021). Self-compassion and adherence in five medical samples: The role of stress. Mindfulness, 12, 2205-2213.
• Garland, E. L., et al. (2020). Mindfulness training targets neurocognitive mechanisms of addiction at the attention-appraisal-emotion interface. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 617.
• Stockwell, T., et al. (2016). Do "moderate" drinkers have reduced mortality risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis of alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 77(2), 185-198.

Disclaimer:

The insights and tips shared in this podcast are based on my personal journey and are for informational and motivational purposes only. They are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have specific health concerns or questions related to your medical condition, please consult with your healthcare provider. Remember, your health journey is unique, and what has worked for me might not be suitable for everyone. The content here does not aim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and results from following the strategies discussed can vary.