Do you find yourself needing a drink every day to unwind? In this episode, Jen shares her own story with alcohol and explains that there’s a big difference between choosing to have a drink and needing to have a drink. To help you come from the point of prevention, Jen shares other rituals to put in place, drinks to savour, and ways to destress to prevent needing a drink at the end of the day.

Did you enjoy the podcast today? Please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Every month I draw one lucky reviewer to have a free one-hour consultation with me. Also, remember to subscribe wherever you’re tuning in from so that you always catch the next episode.

SHOWNOTES

I need a drink. Work, the kids. I’m done. Have you ever said it? Have you ever needed a drink to relax and let go?

I have. While I didn’t have kids, I was so uptight in my younger days in business, and I was an alcoholic.

Now, you might think, Jen, I’m not an alcoholic; I just need a drink to wind down after work. It’s just that five o’clock beer, wine or gin. But it can become an addictive ritual.

How do you break the habit of need?

When I gave up drinking altogether in my 20’s I was sober for 26 years. Then I realised I was addicted to staying sober. Today I manage my life differently and never need a drink. Instead, I like to end my day, and I end it with a cup of tea or a Fire Cider. 

What you need to do is set a new ritual. Often it’s not the alcohol you need; it’s the break—the process of ending your day and moving your energy from work into family time.

How to transition at the end of the day without alcohol

So, how do you set a new habit to help you transition at the end of the day? 

1. Read a good book. 
2. Read social media (don’t scroll, scrolling can be more stressful with comparison). 
3. Take a long bath.
4. Get outside and go for a walk (I walk in my garden).
5. Practice Yoga or do any exercise you enjoy.
6. Meditate.
7. Drink Tea, Fire Cider or something non-alcoholic – and use a nice glass. It’s the ritual that matters.

Fire Water – a non-alcoholic drinks to savour at the end of the day

Fire water includes ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, apple cider, vinegar, and honey (optional). I’ll include the full recipe below.

Not only is it refreshing it also has great health benefits:

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Improves digestion, lowers blood sugar levels, improves insulin sensitivity, increases satiety, helps with weight loss, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and improves heart health
• Ginger – Helps with digestion, infections and nausea
• Garlic – A secret superpower with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties
• Onion – Has similar properties to garlic but is also great for preventing (or recovering from!) colds and the flu
• Cayenne Pepper – Helps move blood through your cardiovascular system. Blood circulation = healing
• Horseradish – You can add this too, but I choose not to

Come from a place of prevention

If you find yourself stressed out, use Adaptogens and eat foods rich in Vitamin B foods and magnesium to prevent getting wound up (check out Episode #7 for more on this).

Also, incorporate aromatherapy into your daily practice. I’d recommend (links included below):

• Sanity Saver Blend – Blend of Vetiver, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Geranium and Australian Sandalwood
• Chill Out Blend – Orange, Lime, Ylang Ylang research helped people leave work at work

Healthy Life Hacks

So, the healthy life hacks I want to leave you with today are: 

1. Be prepared
2. Know your why
3. Live into your ritual mine is green or herb tea or fire cider

Helpful links

• Chill Out Essential Oil – https://jenniferjefferies.com/product/chill-out-blend/
• Sanity Saver Essential Oil –  https://jenniferjefferies.com/product/sanity-saver-blend/ 
• Jens Adaptogen Tonic – https://bit.ly/2KuWpve

Fire Cider Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup freshly peeled and grated ginger root
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 10 cloves of garlic, crushed or chopped
• 2 organic jalapeño peppers, chopped
• 1 lemon, zest and juice
• 2 Tablespoons dried rosemary leaves
• 1 Tablespoon turmeric powder or 2 Tablespoons freshly grated turmeric root
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
• organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup raw honey, or to taste

METHOD

• Add all chopped ingredients to an open neck jar that has a plastic lid.
• Pour apple cider vinegar in the jar until all the ingredients are fully covered, and the vinegar reaches the top of the jar. Make sure the vinegar covers all ingredients.
• Shake jar to combine all the ingredients and store in a dark, cool place for a month, give the jar a shake daily
• After one month, strain out the solids, and pour the vinegar into a clean jar or bottle. 

Did you enjoy the podcast today? Please let me know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Every month I draw one lucky reviewer to have a free one-hour consultation with me. Also, remember to subscribe wherever you’re tuning in from so that you always catch the next episode.

Are you looking for more great resources? Get a free copy of my Feed Your Body ebook here and be sure to explore my blog while you are there.