The first time I discovered the social lubricant magic of alcohol was at a high school party. The music was loud, and I was anxious. A friend handed me a beer, told me it would help me loosen up. And it did. From then on, I learned to turn to alcohol for a little confidence boost every time the discomfort of social anxiety rises.
Research shows that daily habits like talking with friends, spending time in nature, and enjoying cognitively engaging activities lead to better mental health (Everyday Actions and Behaviors Linked to Better Mental Well-Being: Study, 2025). Choosing your thoughts intentionally by practicing daily affirmations has been shown to improve self-esteem, promoting overall psychological well-being and improving behavioral performance (Sachdeva et al., 2024; Cascio et al., 2015).
For parents of school-age children, this time of year is all about new beginnings: new teachers, new routines, and the hope that our kids are set up for success. Parents often feel a sigh of relief when summer ends and the house is quieter. But just because the kids are out the door doesn't mean the stress of parenting goes away.