Better sleep, more energy, less stress: Worcestershire Mum shares her story highlighting the benefits of drinking less

This isn’t about giving up alcohol altogether. It’s about recognising how easy it is, in everyday life, to drink more than we realise. Whether that’s unwinding with a glass of wine after a long day, or regular socialising with friends where “just one more” happens a little too often. Small changes can make a big difference.

Across Worcestershire, people are already noticing the benefits of drinking a little less. One of them is Magda Mynette, a working mum from Worcester, who says she hadn’t realised just how much alcohol was taking from her until she took a step back.

Magda said: “My journey began back in 2022 when I was experiencing disrupted sleep. I tried everything to prevent mid night wakings and soon realised there was a pattern; sleep was always worse when alcohol was involved. I decided to stop drinking at weekends, and almost immediately my sleep improved. I had more energy, and that sparked a growing curiosity about sobriety. I then set myself a rule to only drink on special occasions. But with a lower tolerance and a mindset of ‘making the most of it’, I ended up drinking to excess and suffering for days afterwards, feeling tired, forgetful and emotionally flat. I knew I needed to break the cycle and rethink my relationship with alcohol.

“After one Friday in July 2024, when birthday drinks led to a monstrous hangover, I decided to stop drinking altogether for 100 days. I began with gritted teeth and full determination, but I honestly wasn’t sure I could stick to it. I had no sober friends and most of my social life centred around alcohol, meals, walks with pub stops, birthdays, nights out, mum meet ups, family occasions, Sunday dinners, Christmas. Alcohol was everywhere, woven into my life in ways I had never noticed. I’d done Dry January before, but it was the 100 days that changed everything. The constant mental chatter, Will I drink? How much? What will I have? finally went quiet. That silence gave me space to focus.

“Unexpected benefits followed. I became more mindful, managed my diet and exercise more consistently, felt stronger, saw improvements in my skin and weight, and saved money on drinks and taxis. One hundred days was long enough to feel the benefits, hear positive feedback from loved ones, and start using my energy on things that lifted me up rather than drained me. Looking back, as a working mum of two young children, alcohol had felt like one of the few ways left to ‘treat’ myself. It was a link to the freedom and youth I thought I was losing. But in reality, it was taking far more than it gave. Removing alcohol helped me notice early symptoms of perimenopause, some of which had been amplified by drinking.

“One of the most powerful moments came from my daughter. Out of the blue she said, ‘I am proud of you, Mum,’ and told me that she feels safer when I’m not drinking. I had assumed my children wouldn’t notice, as I’ve only drunk alcohol socially at weekends and even that was relatively moderate, but they do.  Although it was me doing the drinking, it was directly impacting their lives, through my mood, energy, what we did or did not do and they noticed the difference.

“I’m now nearing 500 days alcohol free (something I never planned) but the benefits to my health, wellbeing, relationships and energy are simply too good to give up. I want to set an example for our kids so they can make their own informed choices about alcohol in the future. Today, I feel free. Alcohol is no longer something I rely on, it’s simply an option, and right now, I choose not to drink. That choice has given me back more than I ever expected.”

Magda’s story shows how common these experiences are, and why Public Health wants to help people feel supported as they think about their own relationship with alcohol.

Councillor Satinder Bell, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, at Worcestershire County Council said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Magda for sharing her story so openly. It’s so important that we talk about these issues honestly, so people know they’re not alone. Public Health is about helping people stay well before small issues become major concerns. We work closely with specialist services like Cranstoun for those who need more intensive support, but we also want to reach the many residents who may not realise how their drinking is affecting them. Alcohol is part of everyday life for many of us, and enjoying a drink can be part of that. This isn’t about stopping people from having fun, it’s about helping everyone feel confident about their choices, enjoy alcohol safely and in moderation, and spot when habits might be slipping into unhealthy territory. We want to create a supportive, judgement free conversation that encourages people to reflect on their drinking and consider small changes that could make a big difference to their wellbeing.”

For more information and support around alcohol, including tips for cutting back, the benefits of drinking less and how to get help, please visit the dedicated support pages of our website.

If you are struggling with your alcohol intake, Cranstoun offer support across Worcestershire and can be contacted by calling 0300 303 8200 or visiting the Cranstoun website.