“The reality is that with information, education and conversation we can start to explore what it might look like to balance out their relationship with alcohol so that they can experience more of the good things. More rest, more confidence and more energy.”
Angel Uribe has over 24 years of clinical experience in the Behavioral and Chemical Health field. She has been utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), mindfulness techniques, and Behavioral Psychology to support and empower her clients throughout her career. In addition to her career as a therapist and counselor, Angel has also spent the last decade as a business owner. So, she understands the pressures and stress facing busy entrepreneurs and career women in today’s world. And, perhaps more importantly, she understands their need for discretion and flexibility when it comes to seeking help. This is why she offers her assistance privately in your own home via teletherapy. Angel has found teletherapy is the most discreet and flexible and effective way to help her clients overcome perfectionism, anxiety, depression, and a host of other conflicts that can lead to an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.
We all know that drinking alcohol can have some negative consequences. But what if we told you that there is a way to drink alcohol without all the negative consequences? That’s right, there is a way to drink alcohol without putting your health at risk. The key to drinking alcohol safely is to be a mindful drinker. Mindful drinking is all about knowing your limits and making sure that you don’t go over them. It’s also about being aware of the effects that alcohol can have on your body and mind.
It’s not the case that most people have a clinical diagnosis around their chemical use. In fact, 90% of heavy drinkers do not meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder. We don’t have to wait until our drinking habits are diagnosable in order for us to make positive changes to our drinking habits. These habits are often created in young adulthood and we carry these relationships and patterns with us into later life. Most often because there is no real exploration of our relationship with alcohol.
Drinking and Relaxation
Many times when we have an alcoholic drink because we are trying to achieve relaxation. Unfortunately, when we begin drinking at the peak of stress we often end up drinking more than we intended. If we can take some time to sit calmly, take a few deep breaths and center ourselves, we can approach our alcohol completely differently. We can think “I want to leave here feeling my best or refreshed”. The more drinking is tied to your interpersonal self, it becomes risky. When we think “I need to a glass of wine in order to relax” then it becomes a tool to achieve peace of mind. It sets up a trap in your mind. You will develop tolerance and 2 glasses become 3 and 3 becomes 4, etc. It creates a loop effect. Angel supports her clients in rethinking their relationship with alcohol so they can break the habit loop
Drinking and Sleep
Your body will not get REM sleep if it has a mood altering chemical inside. You are sedated and it is why you do not wake up refreshed. You will wake up tired and end up running at 80%. Which then makes you more tired so you continue to drink and then the next day you have even less energy. This immediate relief now becomes a risk factor in your overall health.
What is my limit?
Get curious with yourself. How much allows you to still show up and honor the things in your life that you say matter like maintaining relationships, getting a good night’s sleep or making healthy food choices. That is the key to setting your limit.
Becoming a Mindful Drinker
Angel developed Mindful Drinking for Balanced Living to provide just the right amount of structure support and accountability to support her clients in taking back the power in their relationship with alcohol, allowing them to eliminate regret, and reclaim the confidence that comes from knowing that they are consistently in control of when, and how much they drink.
In her 6 week program, Mindful Drinking for Balanced Living, Angel, guides her clients to explore their relationships with alcohol and all facets or life. They explores all areas of life in order to set us systems for a balanced life. Angel provides, structure support and accountability so that her clients can feel confident and supported when or if they decide to incorporate drinking into their life. Click here to learn more about Angel and her program.