134. My relationship with alcohol and health risks

Have you ever woken up after just one drink feeling wired, anxious, exhausted—and wondering why it didn’t feel “worth it” anymore? If alcohol suddenly feels different in your body during midlife, you are not imagining it.In this episode, Sara continues an honest, compassionate conversation about alcohol in perimenopause and menopause—without shame, rules, or “shoulds.” This is not a sobriety episode. It’s a real talk about what alcohol actually does to a midlife woman’s body, why so many women are quietly drinking less, and how to make informed, intentional choices that truly support your nervous system, sleep, and overall well-being.This conversation is especially timely during the holidays, when social pressure and tradition can make it harder to listen to what your body is asking for. In this episode:Why alcohol disrupts sleep even when you think you slept fineHow cortisol and adrenaline spikes lead to 2–3am wakeups and next-day anxietyThe connection between alcohol, blood sugar swings, and midlife fatigueWhy hot flashes, night sweats, and brain fog often worsen after drinkingHow hormone shifts make alcohol harder to process in perimenopause and menopauseThe long-term health risks of alcohol—including cancer risk women are rarely counseled onA powerful reframe: saying no as self-knowing, not deprivationSimple reflection questions to help you decide if alcohol truly supports the life you want Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:Website: https://risingwomanproject.comInstagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!