Vacation Brain: When "I'm on Vacation" Becomes Permission to Overdrink

Vacation can be a beautiful break from regular life, but when your normal routine disappears, your intentional choices around alcohol can start to feel less automatic too.

In this episode, Molly talks about Vacation Brain: the part of your brain that turns “I’m on vacation” into permission to overdrink. You’ll learn why disrupted routines, new cues, and social expectations can make old drinking patterns feel easier to slip into—and how to use the Ideal/For Real framework to stay connected to yourself without being rigid.

The goal isn’t perfect vacation.

It’s connected vacation.

What you’ll learn:

• Why vacation can trigger permission thoughts around alcohol
• How cues and routines shape drinking habits
• Why “I’ll just see how it goes” often doesn’t work
• How to create a realistic For Real plan
• Why connection does not require consumption

Try this before your next trip

Ask yourself:

What kind of experience do I actually want to have?

Then create your Ideal/For Real plan:

Ideal: What would my plan be if everything were easy?
For Real: What plan supports me in the real circumstances I’m in?

You can be relaxed and intentional. You can be flexible and honest. You can enjoy yourself and still protect your peace.

Low risk drinking guidelines from the NIAAA:
Healthy men under 65:
No more than 4 drinks in one day and no more than 14 drinks per week.
Healthy women (all ages) and healthy men 65 and older:
No more than 3 drinks in one day and no more than 7 drinks per week.
One drink is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor. So remember that a mixed drink or full glass of wine are probably more than one drink.
Abstinence from alcohol
Abstinence from alcohol is the best choice for people who take medication(s) that interact with alcohol, have health conditions that could be exacerbated by alcohol (e.g. liver disease), are pregnant or may become pregnant or have had a problem with alcohol or another substance in the past.
Benefits of “low-risk” drinking
Following these guidelines reduces the risk of health problems such as cancer, liver disease, reduced immunity, ulcers, sleep problems, complications of existing conditions, and more. It also reduces the risk of depression, social problems, and difficulties at school or work.

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