LIFE HACKS
THE SURPRISING CALM By the second week, I was sleeping better than I had in years. The kind of sleep where you wake up and actually feel rested, not like you’ve been dragging yourself through the night. With better rest came sharper mornings, clearer thoughts, and—most surprisingly—less anxiety. I hadn’t realized how much alcohol had been fueling the very thing I was trying to quiet. Without it, my mood felt steadier. The constant background hum of unease dimmed. Even when stressful situations came up, I found myself handling them with a calmer head. I hadn’t realized how much alcohol had been fueling the very thing I was trying to quiet. Without it, my mood felt steadier. A NEW KIND OF CONNECTION Social events became a revelation. I worried at first that I’d feel left out, but the opposite happened. Without alcohol, I felt more present. Conversations stuck with me. I remembered the jokes, the little details, the genuine connections. I didn’t stumble through goodbyes or wake up the next morning piecing together the night. Instead, I left feeling lighter, not drained. WHAT THE BREAK TAUGHT ME That one-month pause showed me something I couldn’t unlearn: alcohol wasn’t helping me cope, it was holding me back. I didn’t decide to give it up entirely, but I did learn to approach it differently. When I do choose to drink now, it’s with intention, not out of habit. Most importantly, I found a new tool for my anxiety—not a substance, but a practice of listening to what my body and mind actually need. And sometimes, what they need most is simply a break. EC
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EC Magazines | Manila Edition 2025
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