You might have heard of the term “hangxiety,” aka when hangovers and anxiety collide. To understand what it really means, let’s delve into the science.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
After spending the evening celebrating her friend's birthday, Hannah awakens with memories of jokes and toasts. She opens her eyes to find not only a pounding headache from the hangover, but also an unexpected feeling of dread and anxiety. Hannah is experiencing something known as "hangxiety" — a combination of hangover and anxiety.
Why exactly does hangxiety happen? And how can we prevent hangxiety in the first place? Let's explore the science underlying this less-discussed side effect of drinking alcohol.
As the name implies, "hangxiety" combines "hangover" and "anxiety." It basically refers to the uneasiness felt while suffering from an alcoholic hangover. This mood can range from a hazy sense of unease and nervousness to strong sentiments of dread and worry, depending on the individual. Hangxiety can happen even without any triggering circumstances, so it's not just about feeling ashamed or regretting events from the previous night.
Having a drink at the end of a long day to decrease anxiety may seem like the answer, but studies have shown alcohol can actually exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. Alcohol is categorized as a depressant, meaning it depresses our central nervous system, leaving us feeling calmer and more relaxed. Although this might seem like a quick fix, it can actually lead to a bigger problem: neurotransmitter imbalance and hangxiety.
What causes hangxiety? To understand why hangxiety happens, we need to learn what alcohol does to our brains. When we consume alcohol, it affects various neurotransmitters in our brain, including GABA and glutamate. Initially, alcohol enhances the effect of GABA, a neurotransmitter with inhibitory effects, leading to feelings of relaxation. Simultaneously, it inhibits the action of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, further contributing to the sedative effects of alcohol.
However, there is a rebound effect once alcohol's effects subside. In an effort to reestablish equilibrium, the brain overcompensates, which causes excitatory neurotransmitter activity to increase and inhibitory neurotransmitter activity to decrease. Feelings of agitation, anxiety, and restlessness — also known as hangxiety — can be brought on by this disturbance in equilibrium.
What else explains why hangxiety happens? We can look to dopamine for answers.
Our brains release dopamine when we engage in activities we find pleasurable, like eating chocolate or drinking alcohol. This dopamine release teaches our brain what actions to repeat and, eventually, develop cravings for. Repeating the habit of drinking alcohol weekly or even daily teaches the brain that it no longer needs to release dopamine, leading to a dependence on alcohol. All of a sudden we find ourselves depleted of dopamine and hankering for a drink. Why?
Think of our brain as a hamster wheel that is constantly producing dopamine and other happy hormones. The chemicals required to feel pleasure and happiness are produced by our brain on a daily basis. Then, we include alcohol in the mix. Alcohol approaches our brain and says, "Hey friend, I've got it from here. You can go take a break," causing our brain to get off the hamster wheel.
At first, our brains might think, “Wow! This is so nice, I get to take a break!” But as the frequency and amount of alcohol we drink increases, our brain gets lazy and relies on alcohol to run the hamster wheel. This is dopamine depletion from alcohol misuse. We begin to damage our brain and alter the thresholds required for dopamine cell activation and signaling, which leads to less dopamine being released naturally.
Here are some symptoms of dopamine depletion:
There's no surefire way to completely prevent hangxiety, meaning the best prevention method is to cut back on or quit drinking alcohol. It's crucial to keep in mind that each person's reaction to alcohol differs, so just because one person can consume a given amount of alcohol without developing hangxiety and other hangover symptoms doesn't mean everyone will. Finding what functions best for us is the goal.
To drink responsibly, we must be aware of our limitations and abide by them. This could entail rotating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or setting a limit on the number of drinks one can have in one sitting. Hydrating adequately and eating enough before and while we drink can help minimize the after-effects of alcohol and prevent hangxiety.
We can take action to reduce hangxiety if we experience it. First and foremost, keep in mind that hangxiety and anxious feelings are fleeting, and they’ll disappear as our body processes the alcohol.
If it’s taken a hold of you, here are a few helpful coping strategies for how to stop hangxiety:
Remember, while these strategies can help manage hangxiety, the best way to prevent it is by being mindful of our alcohol intake.
Hangxiety is a real and sometimes distressing outcome of alcohol consumption. Though the symptoms can be bothersome and all-consuming, the good news is that the feelings will pass. By understanding what hangxiety is, we can take steps to prevent hangxiety and cope with its effects.
Although moderating alcohol intake is the most effective prevention strategy, other measures such staying hydrated, eating well, and practicing mindfulness can also manage hangxiety. If you’ve been experiencing hangxiety, it may be time to rethink your relationship with alcohol. Though cutting back or quitting may be difficult in the beginning, the long-term benefits are well worth it. Your body will thank you!
After spending the evening celebrating her friend's birthday, Hannah awakens with memories of jokes and toasts. She opens her eyes to find not only a pounding headache from the hangover, but also an unexpected feeling of dread and anxiety. Hannah is experiencing something known as "hangxiety" — a combination of hangover and anxiety.
Why exactly does hangxiety happen? And how can we prevent hangxiety in the first place? Let's explore the science underlying this less-discussed side effect of drinking alcohol.
As the name implies, "hangxiety" combines "hangover" and "anxiety." It basically refers to the uneasiness felt while suffering from an alcoholic hangover. This mood can range from a hazy sense of unease and nervousness to strong sentiments of dread and worry, depending on the individual. Hangxiety can happen even without any triggering circumstances, so it's not just about feeling ashamed or regretting events from the previous night.
Having a drink at the end of a long day to decrease anxiety may seem like the answer, but studies have shown alcohol can actually exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. Alcohol is categorized as a depressant, meaning it depresses our central nervous system, leaving us feeling calmer and more relaxed. Although this might seem like a quick fix, it can actually lead to a bigger problem: neurotransmitter imbalance and hangxiety.
What causes hangxiety? To understand why hangxiety happens, we need to learn what alcohol does to our brains. When we consume alcohol, it affects various neurotransmitters in our brain, including GABA and glutamate. Initially, alcohol enhances the effect of GABA, a neurotransmitter with inhibitory effects, leading to feelings of relaxation. Simultaneously, it inhibits the action of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, further contributing to the sedative effects of alcohol.
However, there is a rebound effect once alcohol's effects subside. In an effort to reestablish equilibrium, the brain overcompensates, which causes excitatory neurotransmitter activity to increase and inhibitory neurotransmitter activity to decrease. Feelings of agitation, anxiety, and restlessness — also known as hangxiety — can be brought on by this disturbance in equilibrium.
What else explains why hangxiety happens? We can look to dopamine for answers.
Our brains release dopamine when we engage in activities we find pleasurable, like eating chocolate or drinking alcohol. This dopamine release teaches our brain what actions to repeat and, eventually, develop cravings for. Repeating the habit of drinking alcohol weekly or even daily teaches the brain that it no longer needs to release dopamine, leading to a dependence on alcohol. All of a sudden we find ourselves depleted of dopamine and hankering for a drink. Why?
Think of our brain as a hamster wheel that is constantly producing dopamine and other happy hormones. The chemicals required to feel pleasure and happiness are produced by our brain on a daily basis. Then, we include alcohol in the mix. Alcohol approaches our brain and says, "Hey friend, I've got it from here. You can go take a break," causing our brain to get off the hamster wheel.
At first, our brains might think, “Wow! This is so nice, I get to take a break!” But as the frequency and amount of alcohol we drink increases, our brain gets lazy and relies on alcohol to run the hamster wheel. This is dopamine depletion from alcohol misuse. We begin to damage our brain and alter the thresholds required for dopamine cell activation and signaling, which leads to less dopamine being released naturally.
Here are some symptoms of dopamine depletion:
There's no surefire way to completely prevent hangxiety, meaning the best prevention method is to cut back on or quit drinking alcohol. It's crucial to keep in mind that each person's reaction to alcohol differs, so just because one person can consume a given amount of alcohol without developing hangxiety and other hangover symptoms doesn't mean everyone will. Finding what functions best for us is the goal.
To drink responsibly, we must be aware of our limitations and abide by them. This could entail rotating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages or setting a limit on the number of drinks one can have in one sitting. Hydrating adequately and eating enough before and while we drink can help minimize the after-effects of alcohol and prevent hangxiety.
We can take action to reduce hangxiety if we experience it. First and foremost, keep in mind that hangxiety and anxious feelings are fleeting, and they’ll disappear as our body processes the alcohol.
If it’s taken a hold of you, here are a few helpful coping strategies for how to stop hangxiety:
Remember, while these strategies can help manage hangxiety, the best way to prevent it is by being mindful of our alcohol intake.
Hangxiety is a real and sometimes distressing outcome of alcohol consumption. Though the symptoms can be bothersome and all-consuming, the good news is that the feelings will pass. By understanding what hangxiety is, we can take steps to prevent hangxiety and cope with its effects.
Although moderating alcohol intake is the most effective prevention strategy, other measures such staying hydrated, eating well, and practicing mindfulness can also manage hangxiety. If you’ve been experiencing hangxiety, it may be time to rethink your relationship with alcohol. Though cutting back or quitting may be difficult in the beginning, the long-term benefits are well worth it. Your body will thank you!
Does alcohol make you more confident? It might seem like it does, but it’s an illusion. Learn the science behind true confidence vs. the alcohol-fueled variety and pick up some great tips on how to have “drunk confidence” when sober.
Although it isn’t a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), the Reframe app can help you cut back on drinking gradually, with the science-backed knowledge to empower you 100% of the way. Our proven program has helped millions of people around the world drink less and live more. And we want to help you get there, too!
The Reframe app equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to not only survive drinking less, but to thrive while you navigate the journey. Our daily research-backed readings teach you the neuroscience of alcohol, and our in-app Toolkit provides the resources and activities you need to navigate each challenge.
You’ll meet hundreds of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings. Receive encouragement from people worldwide who know exactly what you’re going through! You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.
Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology. Melody is here to help as you adjust to a life with less (or no) alcohol.
And that’s not all! Every month, we launch fun challenges, like Dry/Damp January, Mental Health May, and Outdoorsy June. You won’t want to miss out on the chance to participate alongside fellow Reframers (or solo if that’s more your thing!).
The Reframe app is free for 7 days, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it. Are you ready to feel empowered and discover life beyond alcohol? Then download our app through the App Store or Google Play today!
It’s a common story, and maybe you can relate. A shy teenager throughout high school, you go to college and, after your first few drinks of that sketchy punch at a dorm party, you turn into a social butterfly. Dancing with strangers, playing beer pong in the basement, showing off your moves on the windowsill — the whole deal. You wake up next morning with a pounding headache, wishing your dorm suite had a bathroom so you wouldn’t risk locking yourself out every time you make the mid-morning trek to the bathroom. But hey, you were confident. Finally. Yay!
But does alcohol make you more confident, or is it an illusion? This so-called “liquid courage” — the stuff that makes you send embarrassing texts or tell your boss about that time you stole the basket of muffins at a company retreat — is unlikely to get us far in life in the long run. And yet, how can we be confident without booze, especially when we’ve come to rely on it? Here are some strategies to consider.
Before we get into strategies, though, let’s be clear about what we’re dealing with. What is confidence, and what does alcohol have to do with it? Why does alcohol make you confident? And does it actually deliver on its “promises”? In other words, does alcohol make you more confident, or does it just make you feel like you are?
You know that episode of Friends — the one where Rachel tells Ross that she’s been secretly in love with him but is now “over him”? While “closure,” as she calls it, is all well and good, the problem is, she leaves the message on a whim after getting plastered with a date (who is getting more and more horrified with the whole situation by the minute). Needless to say, this burst of “confidence” leads to next-day regret (and some laughs — it is a comedy, after all).
But while this story might be fictional, there’s real science behind the illusion of confidence we get under the influence. So if you’re wondering, why am I more “confident” when drunk? Here’s why.
As we can see, the neurotransmitter shifts triggered by alcohol create a powerful albeit short-lived and unsustainable illusion of confidence. We feel disinhibited and, well, “good” — maybe even euphoric. However, over time we need more and more of the substance to achieve the same effect. Worse still, that effect doesn’t represent authentic confidence: we may feel like we’re on top of the world, but it’s really just the booze talking.
Inevitably, the “confidence” dissipates, leaving us worse off than before. We may have done and said things we now regret. We might not even remember those “great” conversations we felt we were having under the influence. To make a long story short, does alcohol make you more confident? No, it really doesn’t. It just makes us feel as if we are.
The great news? If we understand how our brain works, then we can tap into its true powers to develop authentic confidence without alcohol. As Anne Lamott writes in Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, “... being sober delivered almost everything drinking promised.” And it’s not an exaggeration!
“We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking.” ― Santosh Kalwar
First order of business? Finding the “thought traps” that keep us stuck in the “I need booze to feel confident” trap and dismantling them. So let’s get our toolbox ready and get going!
What’s inside? A wealth of proven techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which works wonders when it comes to recognizing distortions — thoughts based on faulty logic that we’ve subconsciously internalized. Here are some common examples:
Tip: To really put this matter to rest, next time you’re in a situation requiring a level of confidence you would normally try to find in a drink, try something different. Approach it as an experiment: what’s the worst that could happen? So what if it feels awkward the first time? If in the end you end up proving to yourself that you can, indeed, dance or date without booze, it will be absolutely worth it.
“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself …” ― C.S. Lewis
Confidence is internal, but it’s also all about the people we surround ourselves with. If the “posse” we travel with through life (or through our weekend outings) makes us doubt ourselves or feel like we need to act a certain way to fit in, it will be that much harder to find our groove. And that’s when alcohol might seem like a solution.
Instead, if we surround ourselves with people who build up our inner strength and love us for who we are, self-confidence will be the natural result of our interactions. Science shows that positive social interactions enhance our health, provide emotional support, and help us feel validated in a way that’s more lasting and authentic than anything alcohol can provide.
Tip: Spend some time on your social network and think of ways to make it stronger. Do you feel comfortable sharing your goals around alcohol? If you’re having trouble finding support, check out Reframe’s 24/7 Forum where people just like you are eager to share their stories and advice. Also, take a look at “Types of Social Support and How They Work.”
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” ― Albert Einstein
In The Little Book of Big Change, Amy Johnson talks about curiosity as a way out of our habits. In a blog post on the subject, she expands on this idea: “Curious means you don’t know. You’re as dumb as possible about what’s occurring. ‘What even is this?’, you wonder as you swim into the sensations you’re feeling. ‘What am I finding? What is here?’ You’re exploring it with curiosity, not to label or name it, but for the sake of exploring.”
What if we could get curious about our social anxiety (or lack of confidence) instead of reaching for alcohol as a “way out”? Getting curious about our perceived limitations or insecurities can sap them of their power in a way nothing else, including alcohol, ever can.
It’s also helpful to get curious about the immediate situation we’re in. Annie Grace suggests a helpful exercise in This Naked Mind. When going to a party, make it a mission to learn at least 10 things about every person you talk to. Ask questions — lots of them. If nothing else, it gives us something else to focus on instead of our confidence level!
Tip: Next time you find yourself worrying about a social situation, get curious about the details. How can you describe the feeling? What situation brought it on? When does the feeling seem to ease or disappear?
“Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” ― Rumi
Another great way to build confidence? Finding our passion. When we’re completely absorbed in an activity — in “the zone,” so to speak — thoughts about our perceived limitations tend to fall by the wayside. Whatever the activity is (writing, gardening, creating a photo collage, raising plants, or making a patchwork quilt) getting completely absorbed in it is the point. As we find our passion and practice our craft, we get more skilled at it. The natural fallout? Our confidence rises. Besides, “flow state” is a natural way to boost dopamine levels, keeping those alcohol cravings at bay.
Tip: Carve out a time during the day (or on the weekend) to devote to an activity that gets you in “the zone.” The key is to stick with it and make it a habit. It can be an old hobby that got sidelined when life and other responsibilities took over, or it can be something new. Then, share it with others (starting with close friends and family). After a while, you’ll build up a new dimension of your life that will naturally boost your confidence.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu
Many of us struggle with social anxiety, but what if it could be a source of strength rather than a weakness? If we lean into our perceived “weaknesses,” they can become a source of strength. If we explore what’s difficult for us and open ourselves up to honest conversations about self-confidence, we can find that others are in the same boat. And guess what? That natural camaraderie we tap into when we discuss our social anxiety can actually serve as a way out.
Talk therapy can also work wonders for many people, so it’s worth checking out. It’s a trial and error process, and like any relationship, it takes some time to find our groove with the right person. Don’t give up if the first one doesn’t work and keep an open mind!
Tip: Talk about the social anxiety you’re currently experiencing instead of “bottling it up.” Start with a trusted friend or family member, an online support group (like the Reframe forum!) or a therapist. Check out “The Relationship Between Social Anxiety and Alcohol Misuse” for more information and helpful tips!
All in all, being confident without alcohol is all about tapping into our natural strengths and passions. Let’s approach the process with curiosity — we’re on a journey of discovery, about to uncover the many facets of life that alcohol has been covering up. Soak in the range of emotions and experiences as you invite more rewards into your life than drinking could ever provide.
It’s a common story, and maybe you can relate. A shy teenager throughout high school, you go to college and, after your first few drinks of that sketchy punch at a dorm party, you turn into a social butterfly. Dancing with strangers, playing beer pong in the basement, showing off your moves on the windowsill — the whole deal. You wake up next morning with a pounding headache, wishing your dorm suite had a bathroom so you wouldn’t risk locking yourself out every time you make the mid-morning trek to the bathroom. But hey, you were confident. Finally. Yay!
But does alcohol make you more confident, or is it an illusion? This so-called “liquid courage” — the stuff that makes you send embarrassing texts or tell your boss about that time you stole the basket of muffins at a company retreat — is unlikely to get us far in life in the long run. And yet, how can we be confident without booze, especially when we’ve come to rely on it? Here are some strategies to consider.
Before we get into strategies, though, let’s be clear about what we’re dealing with. What is confidence, and what does alcohol have to do with it? Why does alcohol make you confident? And does it actually deliver on its “promises”? In other words, does alcohol make you more confident, or does it just make you feel like you are?
You know that episode of Friends — the one where Rachel tells Ross that she’s been secretly in love with him but is now “over him”? While “closure,” as she calls it, is all well and good, the problem is, she leaves the message on a whim after getting plastered with a date (who is getting more and more horrified with the whole situation by the minute). Needless to say, this burst of “confidence” leads to next-day regret (and some laughs — it is a comedy, after all).
But while this story might be fictional, there’s real science behind the illusion of confidence we get under the influence. So if you’re wondering, why am I more “confident” when drunk? Here’s why.
As we can see, the neurotransmitter shifts triggered by alcohol create a powerful albeit short-lived and unsustainable illusion of confidence. We feel disinhibited and, well, “good” — maybe even euphoric. However, over time we need more and more of the substance to achieve the same effect. Worse still, that effect doesn’t represent authentic confidence: we may feel like we’re on top of the world, but it’s really just the booze talking.
Inevitably, the “confidence” dissipates, leaving us worse off than before. We may have done and said things we now regret. We might not even remember those “great” conversations we felt we were having under the influence. To make a long story short, does alcohol make you more confident? No, it really doesn’t. It just makes us feel as if we are.
The great news? If we understand how our brain works, then we can tap into its true powers to develop authentic confidence without alcohol. As Anne Lamott writes in Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy, “... being sober delivered almost everything drinking promised.” And it’s not an exaggeration!
“We are addicted to our thoughts. We cannot change anything if we cannot change our thinking.” ― Santosh Kalwar
First order of business? Finding the “thought traps” that keep us stuck in the “I need booze to feel confident” trap and dismantling them. So let’s get our toolbox ready and get going!
What’s inside? A wealth of proven techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which works wonders when it comes to recognizing distortions — thoughts based on faulty logic that we’ve subconsciously internalized. Here are some common examples:
Tip: To really put this matter to rest, next time you’re in a situation requiring a level of confidence you would normally try to find in a drink, try something different. Approach it as an experiment: what’s the worst that could happen? So what if it feels awkward the first time? If in the end you end up proving to yourself that you can, indeed, dance or date without booze, it will be absolutely worth it.
“Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself …” ― C.S. Lewis
Confidence is internal, but it’s also all about the people we surround ourselves with. If the “posse” we travel with through life (or through our weekend outings) makes us doubt ourselves or feel like we need to act a certain way to fit in, it will be that much harder to find our groove. And that’s when alcohol might seem like a solution.
Instead, if we surround ourselves with people who build up our inner strength and love us for who we are, self-confidence will be the natural result of our interactions. Science shows that positive social interactions enhance our health, provide emotional support, and help us feel validated in a way that’s more lasting and authentic than anything alcohol can provide.
Tip: Spend some time on your social network and think of ways to make it stronger. Do you feel comfortable sharing your goals around alcohol? If you’re having trouble finding support, check out Reframe’s 24/7 Forum where people just like you are eager to share their stories and advice. Also, take a look at “Types of Social Support and How They Work.”
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” ― Albert Einstein
In The Little Book of Big Change, Amy Johnson talks about curiosity as a way out of our habits. In a blog post on the subject, she expands on this idea: “Curious means you don’t know. You’re as dumb as possible about what’s occurring. ‘What even is this?’, you wonder as you swim into the sensations you’re feeling. ‘What am I finding? What is here?’ You’re exploring it with curiosity, not to label or name it, but for the sake of exploring.”
What if we could get curious about our social anxiety (or lack of confidence) instead of reaching for alcohol as a “way out”? Getting curious about our perceived limitations or insecurities can sap them of their power in a way nothing else, including alcohol, ever can.
It’s also helpful to get curious about the immediate situation we’re in. Annie Grace suggests a helpful exercise in This Naked Mind. When going to a party, make it a mission to learn at least 10 things about every person you talk to. Ask questions — lots of them. If nothing else, it gives us something else to focus on instead of our confidence level!
Tip: Next time you find yourself worrying about a social situation, get curious about the details. How can you describe the feeling? What situation brought it on? When does the feeling seem to ease or disappear?
“Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” ― Rumi
Another great way to build confidence? Finding our passion. When we’re completely absorbed in an activity — in “the zone,” so to speak — thoughts about our perceived limitations tend to fall by the wayside. Whatever the activity is (writing, gardening, creating a photo collage, raising plants, or making a patchwork quilt) getting completely absorbed in it is the point. As we find our passion and practice our craft, we get more skilled at it. The natural fallout? Our confidence rises. Besides, “flow state” is a natural way to boost dopamine levels, keeping those alcohol cravings at bay.
Tip: Carve out a time during the day (or on the weekend) to devote to an activity that gets you in “the zone.” The key is to stick with it and make it a habit. It can be an old hobby that got sidelined when life and other responsibilities took over, or it can be something new. Then, share it with others (starting with close friends and family). After a while, you’ll build up a new dimension of your life that will naturally boost your confidence.
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu
Many of us struggle with social anxiety, but what if it could be a source of strength rather than a weakness? If we lean into our perceived “weaknesses,” they can become a source of strength. If we explore what’s difficult for us and open ourselves up to honest conversations about self-confidence, we can find that others are in the same boat. And guess what? That natural camaraderie we tap into when we discuss our social anxiety can actually serve as a way out.
Talk therapy can also work wonders for many people, so it’s worth checking out. It’s a trial and error process, and like any relationship, it takes some time to find our groove with the right person. Don’t give up if the first one doesn’t work and keep an open mind!
Tip: Talk about the social anxiety you’re currently experiencing instead of “bottling it up.” Start with a trusted friend or family member, an online support group (like the Reframe forum!) or a therapist. Check out “The Relationship Between Social Anxiety and Alcohol Misuse” for more information and helpful tips!
All in all, being confident without alcohol is all about tapping into our natural strengths and passions. Let’s approach the process with curiosity — we’re on a journey of discovery, about to uncover the many facets of life that alcohol has been covering up. Soak in the range of emotions and experiences as you invite more rewards into your life than drinking could ever provide.
