The “Pre-Holiday Pour”: Why We Start Early

The holidays haven’t even started — but your wine glass already has.In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the pre-holiday pour: why so many people start drinking more before the actual celebrations begin, and what that reveals about stress, anticipation, and how we try to “prepare” for joy. You’ll learn:The psychology behind pre-holiday drinking — from reward behavior to social pressureHow stress hormones and dopamine make early drinking feel justified (but backfire fast)The real physical toll of “starting early” on sleep, immunity, and mental healthPractical ways to decompress without draining your energy — plus how nutrients like Vitamin B12 and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in Cloud9’s Daily Restore support mood, liver health, and recovery during the busiest season of the year🎧 Tap play to learn why we drink before the holidays even start — and how to make this season feel lighter, calmer, and actually restorative.