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Take a Break from Drinking

Tired of breaking your promise to go easy on the drinks tonight? You know your nightly habit isn’t great for your health or waistline, but it’s so hard to say no. Sound familiar? Then you need Rachel. She knows what it’s like to be fed up with your drinking, worried about judgment from others, and turned off by approaches that focus on a higher power instead of brain science. Learn the exact steps she used to change her relationship with alcohol. Discover how the brain works, the real reason you crave a drink, the key to changing your desire, and how to decide what’s right for you. Create a life that is fun, spontaneous, relaxing, and, most importantly, pleasurable (no buzz necessary). For her latest free class, visit linktr.ee/rachelhart or check out rachelhart.com for show notes and more.
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Now displaying: Page 1
Mar 26, 2024

Have you ever thought that if you could just figure out how to stay motivated, then it would be easier to say no to a drink?

You’re not alone. Motivation is a concept that many grapple with. This episode sheds light on where motivation comes from and how to find more of it.

Learn the real reason your progress is slower than you want it to be. Uncover how to change more effectively with some simple questions to ask yourself.

Take the free Drink Archetype quiz and learn the specific tools to drink less for your drink type: https://findyourdrinktype.com/

Join our monthly membership. We will provide you with everything you need to drink less, rarely, or not at all. Join us: https://rachelhart.com/tab/

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/374

Mar 19, 2024

Pouring a drink at the end of the day can be a treat. But it can easily sabotage your goal of changing your relationship with alcohol. Especially if you have a love-hate relationship with your desire for rewards. 

This episode will help you stop framing the reward you want as good or bad. Instead, you’ll learn why it’s important to view the desire for a drink as neutral, and how that can help you tap into the inner workings of the habit. 

Discover the real problem when it comes to wanting to reward yourself at the end of the day, and why a drink might actually be a mismatch for what you truly need.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/373

Mar 12, 2024

Using alcohol as a remedy for a hangover is so common that it has its own term: “the hair of the dog.” Discover why some people swear by this and what’s really happening when you drink to feel better. 

This episode explains the real reason hangovers feel bad (it’s not what you think). We explore why so many people promise “never again” after a hangover, only to go back on their word. And we examine why you should be a scientist—not a moralist—when you’re looking for relief.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/372

Mar 5, 2024

Revisit (or listen for the first time) to the celebration of our 100th episode of the Take a Break podcast. In this episode I’m comb through the archives of the past 99 episodes and pull out some of the most important concepts and lessons from each episode. This is an excellent review for you to look at what your next layer of work is and if you’re a new listener, you’re getting the best overview you could possibly get to help you figure out which episodes you need/want to dig deeper into first.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://www.rachelhart.com/100

Feb 27, 2024

If you’ve ever thought, “Once I start, I can’t stop”—you’re not alone. Lots of people find it easier not to drink at all than to moderate.

But if don’t want to stop drinking forever, then you must be willing to challenge this belief. Yes, alcohol is an intoxicant and if you consume enough it will impair your judgment. But you might discover that you’re checking out long before this happens.

There’s a paradox embedded in “Once I start, I can’t stop.” The more you believe you can’t trust yourself, the less attention you give alcohol when you’re consuming it. And the less attention you give to the experience of drinking, the more you’ll drink.

Listen to this episode and discover the real reason you go on autopilot once you start drinking. Discover how the Drink Archetypes can help you start paying attention and drink less.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/371

 

Feb 20, 2024

Society tends to talk about people being in “denial” about their drinking. But this belief often causes more harm than how much someone drinks.

In this episode, learn the truth about why you might not be taking action even though you know your relationship with alcohol is unhealthy. Discover what’s really behind the idea of “being in denial” and how it can get in the way of change.

You are not a problem that needs fixing, which is good news. Even if you’ve been shaming yourself about your drinking, this doesn’t mean that you’re in denial. Changing your drinking is not a simple matter of “facing the facts.” The solution isn’t just knowing what to do but learning how to do it.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/370

Feb 13, 2024

Shame and regret about your drinking can feel so isolating, but it’s way more common than you think. The real problem is the unconscious ways you might find yourself trying to make up for being “bad.” 

It’s easy to spin on questions like, “Why was I so stupid?” or “When am I going to learn my lesson?” Or to wish you could build a time machine and change the past. But this line of thinking is a trap. 

Discover the thought error around shame that is actually keeping you stuck and preventing you from developing a healthy relationship with alcohol.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/369

Feb 6, 2024

If you have chronic pain, an autoimmune disease, or insomnia, you might use alcohol to cope. This makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, alcohol can act as a band-aid that’s blocking you from the cure.

How do you deal with the pain in your body without alcohol? This question is at the heart of The Hourglass, one of the eight Drink Archetypes. Discover why it can be challenging to keep your commitment when you have this archetype. 

The good news? Work with the Remedy archetype and learn to separate physical and emotional suffering. When you can do this, you can find a way to live in the body you have, discomfort and all.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/368

Jan 30, 2024

Drinking to feel more free and to be ourselves is common. You'll often hear friends talking about having a drink to "let loose" or "let their hair down."

In this Drink Archetype episode, you'll understand The Release's origin. Listen to hear how to create more freedom for yourself—even while choosing to drink less or not at all.

You can learn to live a less restrained life. Even if you feel trapped by perfectionism, high expectations, or imposter syndrome. Working with The Release archetype will help you develop a true sense of self.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/367

Jan 23, 2024

How do you fill your time when there’s nothing to do? This question is at the heart of The Hourglass, one of the eight Drink Archetypes. Uncover why it can be hard to keep your commitment when you have this archetype. 

The desire for entertainment is a normal part of being human. Whether you’re drinking, eating, or scrolling through your phone. Yet, pairing unscheduled time with a drink can cause more problems than you might realize.

The good news? Work with The Hourglass archetype and discover how to redirect your time and energy. The more you do, the more you’ll discover desires beyond what you’re drinking.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/366

Jan 16, 2024

In this episode, you’ll learn about The Mask, one of the eight Drink Archetypes. The archetypes are unconscious patterns that can influence your relationship with alcohol. Using alcohol as the antidote to social anxiety is so common that society even has a term for it: “liquid courage.”

Uncover why The Mask can lead to drinking more than you want to.

The good news is that, even in social situations, you can learn to manage your anxiety  without a drink. Working with The Mask archetype will help you feel more at ease socially.

Get the full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/365

Jan 9, 2024

Even if you’re not planning on Dry January, make sure you listen to this episode. These two mistakes will sabotage your attempts at change, no matter your plans this month.

Most people assume two things when trying to cut back on their drinking. Assumption #1: Saying should be enough to create change. For example, if you usually end your day with a drink, a month of abstinence should erase the habit. Discover why saying no is only one part of lasting change. 

Assumption #2: It’s always going to feel like this when I say no. For example, did it seem like you were the odd man out when you watched the game drinking an NA beer? This second assumption leaves you worried that how you feel right now is how you’ll feel forever. Learn how to get unstuck from this trap.

If left unaddressed, these issues will get in the way of you shifting your drinking for good. Click here to listen to steer clear of these two common mistakes.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/364

Jan 2, 2024

Taking a month off from drinking can be an incredibly powerful New Year's resolution. But if you don’t prepare for the most common stumbling blocks, your best intentions can backfire. 

In this episode, you’ll discover how to set yourself up for success. You’ll learn about five key areas: urges, excuses, temptation, the habit, and staying on track. You’ll walk away with tips and tricks to help you get the most out of a month without alcohol.

Even if you’re unsure about Dry January, this episode will shed light on the patterns keeping you stuck.

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/363

Dec 26, 2023

It’s not unusual to crave a drink in times of stress. But when life won’t let up, how are you supposed to cut back?

 

In this episode, you’ll learn about The Escape, one of the eight Drink Archetypes. The Escape is associated with drinking to ease worry or quiet an overactive mind. Learn why this archetype tends to make you pour larger drinks and drink faster.

 

The good news is that you can learn to drink less—or even skip the drinks altogether—when times are tough. Working with The Escape archetype will help you feel more resilient in the face of life’s ups and downs.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/362

Dec 19, 2023

It’s incredibly common to reward yourself with a drink after making it through a long day or a long week. But no longer having a treat to look forward to can make it hard to keep your commitment to drink less.

 
In this episode, you’ll learn about The Reward, one of the eight Drink Archetypes. Discover why it’s easy to get into the habit of drinking when you’re overworked, exhausted, or need a break. And why this pattern can lead to drinking too much. 


The good news: you can work with this archetype to ease the constant search for a treat. Get curious about the role alcohol plays in your work-life boundaries. And discover how The Reward can lead to feeling more restful and relaxed.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/361

 

Dec 13, 2023

Welcome to the Take a Break from Drinking podcast with your host, Rachel Hart. If you’re looking for a radically different approach to help you cut back or stop drinking, this is the place for you.

 

You probably have plenty of good reasons to drink less, but that doesn’t mean saying no is always easy. Listen as Rachel dispels the most common myths about why it’s hard to resist temptation.

 

Forget about labels, judgment, or one-size-fits-all solutions. Rachel will give you a logical framework to reexamine the moments you gave in or overdid it. You’ll collect data that reveals why your past attempts to change have been hit or miss.

 

You’ll discover that people reach for a drink for reasons that aren’t always obvious. Alcohol can represent so many things: A reward for working hard. Liquid courage. Relief from your worries. Bonding with friends and family. A way to elevate your meal. Entertainment when you’re bored. An aphrodisiac. A sign that the work day is over. A solution for insomnia. And permission to cut loose and live a little.

 

Because alcohol is intertwined with so many aspects of your life, you need to step back and see the big picture. You’ll approach change from the standpoint of “What tools am I missing?” rather than “I should’ve learned my lesson by now.” And you’ll find out why scare tactics, counting days, and strict rules often backfire. Rachel’s goal is to help you get curious without all the judgment or shame.

 

Saying no doesn’t have to be a choice between being healthy or having a good time. Stop feeling like you’re on autopilot when you drink. Start trusting yourself to make conscious decisions that align with the life you want.

 

Ready to get started? Take Rachel’s free Drink Archetypes quiz at findyourdrinktype.com. You’ll get a personalized report for the eight archetypes: The Upgrade, The Connector, The Hourglass, The Reward, The Escape, The Mask, The Release, and The Remedy. Or start with episode #358 and the unconscious patterns that influence your drinking.

Dec 12, 2023

It’s normal for drinking to be a shared activity with friends, family, and romantic partners. So how do you change your drinking without feeling disconnected?

 

In this episode, you’ll learn about The Connector, one of the eight Drink Archetypes. When drinking is bonding go hand in hand, it can be hard to keep your commitments around alcohol.

 

The good news: you don’t have to replace your relationships when you cut back or stop drinking. Discover the real reason you feel disconnected when you say no to a drink. Learn how this archetype can bring more closeness and connection into your life.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/360

Dec 4, 2023

The Drink Archetypes are eight unconscious patterns that influence why you drink. On this episode, we’ll do a deep dive into The Upgrade archetype and why it can make saying no tricky. 


The Upgrade archetype comes from the idea that certain things are better with a drink. Wine elevates the meal. Get-togethers feel more special with alcohol. Even watching the sunset is better with a drink. 

 

But associating alcohol with enjoying “the finer things in life” has its downsides. Take alcohol away, and suddenly everything is a little less enticing. Drinking can feel like a foregone conclusion rather than a deliberate choice. After all, who wants things to feel less special? 

 

Discover how The Upgrade archetype can steal your capacity for enjoyment. Learn how to stop feeling like you're missing out when you say no. Understanding this archetype will teach you how to access more pleasure in life. 

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/359

Nov 28, 2023

Even when you have lots of good reasons to cut back or stop drinking, most people eventually go back to their old ways. Why? Because people drink for reasons that aren’t always easy to see. That’s why I created The Drink Archetypes. These eight unconscious patterns influence why you drink and reach for another. Knowing the archetypes that apply to you will give you a blueprint to follow to create lasting change.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/358

Nov 21, 2023

You’ve been there. A no good, very bad day occurs and, seemingly out of nowhere, a voice in your head urges you to pour a drink. Yet you don’t abide. 


You might be surprised by the ease at which you respond to such a moment of temptation. But then again, you know that developing a lasting change to your drinking requires an understanding of what that drink truly represents. This week, you’ll hear a story about how not accepting the false narrative that breaking the habit is a life-long battle can make saying “no” so much easier. 

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/357

Nov 14, 2023

You might believe that the end of the year is a difficult time to change your drinking habit. In reality, this period of temptation can actually supercharge your ability to retrain your brain. This week, you will learn how to address that lacking feeling you experience before pouring a drink and the questions you need to ask yourself to ultimately do the work of changing your brain. 

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/356

Nov 7, 2023

If you reach for a drink when you get home from work, there’s a good chance you were experiencing some type of negative emotion during the day. However, it could have been so subtle you didn’t even know it was there. By bringing awareness to these subtle emotions throughout the day, you can decrease the urge you feel to drink.

 

In this episode, I’m sharing how to work on the skill of “being where you are” so you can notice the subtle emotions that lead you to pouring a drink at the end of the day.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/355

Oct 31, 2023

When everyone around you is drinking, the fear of missing out can make social situations especially hard to navigate.

 

Luckily, this episode explores some strategies you can go to instead of pouring a drink. You'll hear some insights on your lower brain when it comes to your desire to drink, and how to stick to your commitments.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/354

Oct 24, 2023

If you had a drink after deciding you were taking a break, you might have the thought that “it doesn’t matter.” This is an extremely common thought to have when you’re struggling to stick with your commitment to change your habit.

 

This week, learn how the excuse of “it doesn’t matter” is getting in the way of changing your habit, and how to keep taking strides towards improving your relationship with drinking.

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/353

Oct 17, 2023

Free drinks are everywhere. Whether you’re at an open-bar event, there are bottomless mimosas at brunch, or they’re offering a glass of bubbly in the airport lounge, it is incredibly common to encounter free drinks. This can make saying no to those drinks extra difficult.

 

This week, learn how to keep working towards changing your relationship with drinking regardless of the free drinks available to you. 

 

Get full show notes and more information here: https://rachelhart.com/352

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