Dry January: What Taking a Break From Alcohol Can Teach You

Dry January has become a popular reset after the holiday – but for many people, it raises bigger questions than expected. What role does alcohol play in your life? Is it helping you unwind, or quietly making things harder?In this episode of Everyday Therapy, Brett Cushing, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Dr. Karin Ryan, Licensed Psychologist, explore what happens when you take a break from alcohol and start paying attention to how it affects your mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. Rather than focusing on labels or rigid rules, they invite listeners into a curious, compassionate conversation about awareness and choice.This episode offers insight into how alcohol interacts with anxiety, sleep, stress, and emotional regulation—and how even a short pause can reveal valuable information about your habits and needs.Tune in to Discover:Why Dry January can be a helpful mental and emotional resetHow alcohol impacts anxiety, depression, and emotional regulationThe connection between alcohol use, sleep quality, and stress levelsWhat cravings, routines, and urges can teach you about your coping strategiesHow to approach alcohol use with curiosity instead of shameWays to navigate social pressure when you’re not drinkingHow taking a break can clarify your relationship with alcohol moving forwardWhy self-awareness—not perfection—is the goal Do you have feedback or topic requests? Email us at [email protected] We'd love to hear from you! Follow along:InstagramFacebookNystrom & Associates