Avoid Anxiety by Cutting Back on Alcohol | Sunnyside
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Avoid Anxiety From Alcohol With Mindful Drinking

Alcohol impacts both body and mind. At Sunnyside, we'll empower you to assess and redirect your drinking patterns, so alcohol no longer remains a barrier to your mental wellbeing. You'll learn to take control of your drinking in a supportive and 100% judgment-free zone.

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Does drinking alcohol cause anxiety?

Long-term and excessive drinking may put you at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety. If you are currently experiencing anxiety, drinking alcohol can exacerbate your anxiety by changing the levels of chemical messengers in your brain. When you first drink, you may feel relaxed and calm. But alcohol only serves as a temporary Band-Aid to the real issue at hand. Once the short-term effects wear off, you may feel even more anxious than you were before. This can turn into a vicious cycle, where you drink to escape stress and anxiety. But these emotions quickly resurface once the effects of alcohol wear off, beckoning you to drink again to alleviate them.

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Can I drink alcohol if I have anxiety?

Drinking with anxiety will cause more harm than good. Understandably, many people drink to self-medicate from difficult emotions and challenges. But drinking alcohol can make your anxiety worse. Drinking too much may also lead to a hangover, which comes with unpleasant symptoms that may hinder you from fulfilling your personal commitments at home, work, or school. This can cause you to feel more pressured, stressed, and anxious. Though it may be challenging to avoid alcohol, it's best to steer clear of it until your doctor has given you the green light.

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What does alcohol anxiety feel like?

Some people may experience feelings of anxiety after a night of drinking. Nicknamed 'hangxiety,' this hangover-related phenomenon refers to the increase of anxiousness and nervousness you experience the morning after. Drinking too much can increase your cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which may cause your heart to beat faster and raise your blood pressure. You may feel more jittery, anxious, restless, or nervous, and sometimes even regretful or remorseful about the events that took place the night before.

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How can I calm my anxiety from drinking alcohol?

Treating your body with care and kindness is the first step toward recovery. When nursing hangxiety, good sleep is your best friend. To avoid worsening your nausea and vomiting, keep your body full and fed with bland and filling foods, such as broth, crackers, or bananas. Staying hydrated is also key. While taking care of your basic physical needs is essential, your mind deserves love and care, too. Give yourself space and room to put things into perspective. Sometimes, sharing your feelings with a trusted friend can help with any stress or anxiousness you harbor from the previous night's events. Some people also find that meditation or yoga help. If you are living with anxiety, it's understandably daunting to reach out for help. But seeking professional advice is the best way to break the cycle.

How does Sunnyside help with alcohol-related anxiety?

We understand that alcohol can affect your mind, not just your body. Sunnyside is a safe space for people to reflect on their drinking urges and seek help in a judgment-free environment. Sunnyside empowers you to redirect your drinking habits, so alcohol no longer has a hold on your mental wellness. *Disclaimer: Sunnyside does not offer medical treatment or advice for anxiety. Seeking advice from a healthcare professional is the safest way to manage your anxiety.

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Set your high-level goals

Tell us a little about yourself and your goals so we can personalize your experience. This is a judgment-free zone.

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Commit to a weekly plan

Every week we’ll give you a recommended drink plan for the week ahead to help you reach your goals, which you can adjust.

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Track your drinks

Via a simple text-message interface, we’ll remind you to track your drinks every day, and provide nudges to stack on target.

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Get daily motivation & tips

Our upbeat and positive eduation, motivation, tips, and tricks will keep you on track every day of the week.

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Text real coaches

Our real human coaches are available for you, no matter what you need. Text them for help or a nudge at any time.

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Measure your progress

See how your new habits add up to better sleep, money saved, and an improved diet in your web dashboard.

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Why People Are Saying Sunnyside Is The Best App To Avoid Alcohol Anxiety

You’re joining a community of members who have been through exactly what you’re going through and have achieved amazing results. Here’s what some of them have said about using Sunnyside to nurture healthier drinking habits.

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These guys are not trying to change you, just your drinking habits.

When I first started I was a bit leery about the whole thing. I am 70 years old and retired and didn’t think that I needed someone to tell me how much to drink. So I took the 15 day free trial and found out that it really helped me control my drinking. These guys are not trying to change you, just your drinking habits, which has help me a lot. Sometimes I would drink just to drink and that came to a stop. I still do what I want to do, I'm just doing it differently and it really working well for me. - Rene

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The transition was easy

Over the last two years I became a bit of a heavy drinker. After 84 days with Sunnyside, I'm now a moderate drinker, on my way to becoming a social drinking. The transition was easier than I thought. -Ted

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I cannot believe it actually worked.

I've been trying to cut back on my drinking for years and this is the only way I've actually done it. I'm so extremely happy with just the mindfulness that it has provided me. It's not judgy. It doesn't make you quit immediately. It is just a way to cut back and be mindful of your drinking and I really appreciate it. It's honestly transformed my life. -Stefani

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Simple & sustainable

I love this program - it’s simple and supportive. I feel like I’m on my way to making some lasting changes without ever feeling shamed. Also the coaches are real & respond personally (not just bots). -Lucy

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Avoid Alcohol Anxiety With The Sunnyside App

Sunnyside members see big results in their first 30 days, and it only gets better from there. Start with your 15-day free trial, then stick with it if it’s right for you.

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Improve Health & Wellness

Feel your best, inside and out.

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Sleep more restfully

Enjoy more restful sleep and brighter mornings.

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Improve your diet

Every month you'll be cutting out unnecessary calories.

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Gain more energy

Greet the day with increased energy and focus.

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Save money

Save real cash every month by spending less on alcohol.

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Judgment-free support

We support you on your journey, despite any ups and downs.

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Join the #1 community of mindful drinkers

The Mindful Drinkers is a group for people who want to cut back on their drinking. The group is a judgment-free zone grounded in positivity. The community aims to cultivate a sense of connection for those who prefer mindfulness over the traditional “all-or-nothing” approach. You’re invited to share your story about how you integrate mindful drinking into your daily life, offer encouragement, and ask questions.

Why use Sunnyside?

Every Sunnyside membership includes all the features below, plus a free 15-day trial to make sure it’s right for you.

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Drink tracking

Sunnyside gives you simple, accurate tools to track your drinks that you’ll actually love to use.

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Weekly planning

Every Sunday we’ll share your plan for the week ahead that you can adjust and customize as needed.

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On-demand coaching

We have real human coaches available for when you need a nudge or a bit of motivation. But only if you need it.

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Daily motivation

We’ll share advice, education and motivation on a daily basis to keep you on track with your goals.

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Insights & analytics

Drinks cut, money saved, improved sleep... we’ll help you measure success in the terms that matter to you.

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Science-backed techniques

Sunnyside is easy and simple to use, but is backed by proven habit change techniques reviewed by our advisors.

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Trusted by Experts

Sunnyside utilizes proven behavior-change techniques to help you reach your goals, and it’s all reviewed by our team of experts.

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Dr. Hrishikesh Belani

Associate Medical Director of the South Los Angeles Health Center Group

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Kate Bonham

MS, LPCC, LADC - Mental Health and Chemical Health Specialist

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Nir Eyal

Habit expert, author of Hooked and Indistractable

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Adi Jaffe

Mental health & addiction expert, Author of The Abstinence Myth

"As a doctor, I've seen firsthand the difference that a better relationship with alcohol can make in a person's overall health outcomes, which is why I recommend Sunnyside to my patients."

Dr. Hrishikesh Belani

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Frequently asked questions

Our goal is to be transparent and honest with you about Sunnyside. It’s in our DNA. Here are a couple common questions, but please email us if you have more.

Can Sunnyside help you avoid alcohol anxiety?

Sunnyside assesses your current drinking patterns, and you’ll receive a personalized action plan based on your habits and goals. Ultimately, Sunnyside is a safe and judgment-free space for you to gain support and professional advice. A Sunnyside subscription starts at $8.75/mo, less than the cost of two drinks. Everyone starts with a 15-day free trial to test it out. And we’re nice about refunds if it’s truly not right for you.

What are the benefits of using Sunnyside to improve your drinking habits & reduce anxiety?

Sunnyside empowers members to nurture healthier drinking habits. We’ll equip you with the tools and support you need to take complete control of your drinking urges and cravings. We employ proven habit-change techniques like pre-commitment, conscious interference, and belief and positivity to help you practice better drinking habits. Our methods are reviewed by habit-change and alcohol-use experts.

Is Sunnyside a free alcohol tracking app?

We believe that everyone who drinks can benefit from more mindfulness and healthier habits. You can join Sunnyside no matter what your starting point is, and we’ll help you hit your goals, even if it means stopping drinking entirely. Sunnyside offers a 15-day free trial, and you can cancel at any time.

Is my data secure?

We take data privacy and security very seriously. We never sell your information or use your drinking data for marketing tactics. Review our Privacy Policy.

Do I have to talk to a coach?

Definitely not. Talking to a coach is completely optional. You can take advantage of the planning, tracking, behavior change, analytics, and amazing results without ever talking to anyone.

Who uses Sunnyside?

The Sunnyside community is made of thousands of people who enjoy drinking but want to create more mindfulness around their consumption, whether it’s to cut back or stop entirely. We’re moms, dads, professionals, students, and everyone in between.

Can an app help me reduce my risk of alcohol anxiety?

Sunnyside builds a meaningful awareness of your drinking patterns. You’ll learn how to evaluate and improve your habits to reduce your risk of side effects from drinking. You’ll also have access to real-life coaches who can give you tailored advice based on your wellness goals.

Is it easy to practice healthier drinking with the help of an app?

Changing your habits is never easy, but very possible. Sunnyside is a supportive accountability partner on the go that offers motivation, tips, tricks, and actionable plans to help you foster healthier drinking habits. It will take time and commitment, but we’ll support you through the ups and downs.  

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