About the Book
Soothe stress, unwind, and feel more joyful—without a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. Are you tired of hangovers? Do you wish you could think more clearly during the day or feel less anxious at night? Are you curious about that #soberlife? Many of us want to cut back on our drinking—or even stop altogether. But in a culture that glamorizes the cocktail hour, “white wine playdates,” and boozy brunches, you might wonder, What would I do instead? If you’re ready for a change, this go-to guide has the answer. Simple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol offers surprisingly simple lifestyle skills grounded in mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you destress, reclaim your calm, and feel more vibrant in your day-to-day life—without alcohol. If you’re stuck in a drinking rut and in need of a wellness reset, you’ll love how empowered and energetic you’ll feel when you reach for this book instead of a drink. Try it for a week, a month, a year, and maybe more…
About the Author :
Rebecca E. Williams, PhD, is a psychologist, wellness expert, and award-winning author. She received her bachelor’s degree from Williams College; her master’s degree from Harvard; and her doctorate with a specialization in clinical psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Rebecca enjoyed a twenty-year career as a clinic director with the San Diego VA Healthcare System; was an associate clinical professor in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego; and maintained an active private practice. She is coauthor of two popular books bridging addiction recovery with the power of mindfulness. The Gift of Recovery is a “pocket coach” designed to strengthen recovery. The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction is a go-to guide for understanding the relationship between moods and substance use. The workbook is now in its second edition and has been translated into multiple languages. Rebecca’s latest book is Simple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol: 50 Tips to Drink Less and Enjoy More, a compassionate approach to changing one's relationship to alcohol. Visit her website at www.mindfulnessworkbook.com.
Review :
“Stress is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to creating a life without alcohol. The challenge that Rebecca Williams skillfully tackles in her book, Simple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol, is learning to take the edge off our day with better habits. This approach brilliantly puts less emphasis on eliminating alcohol, and more on integrating new behaviors that basically crowd out drinking with healthy behavior changes with lasting impact.”
—Kristen Manieri, host of the 60 Mindful Minutes podcast, and author of Better Daily Mindfulness Habits
“Post-pandemic, rebooting life mindfully back to health is a special gift. This is a complete guide to examining your inner and outer environments by slowing down, being compassionate to yourself, and becoming your own best friend. This ‘coach’ is evidence-based, yet an easy companion on the journey back from alcohol abuse. It is a collection of pithy advice to use throughout a year of building new habits.”
—Pollyanna V. Casmar, PhD, health sciences clinical professor at University of California, San Diego; and author of Compassion Meditation for Trauma Group (CBCT-Vet)
“Simple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol is wonderful life advice for anyone whether you are considering quitting drinking or not. Rebecca includes great tips for cultivating boundaries, making your living space tranquil, making connections at work, reducing stress, and more. It is highly organized with easy checklists. She anticipates questions about how to maneuver through your new journey without alcohol, and delivers real advice for a life well lived.”
—Pamela Crane, MS, C-IAYT, certified yoga therapist, speaker, host of The Yoga Pro Podcast, and founder of Interoceptive Performance
“Rebecca Williams does a masterful job at compassionately guiding the sober-curious reader on how to change their relationship to alcohol. We are creatures of habit, and change is not always an easy thing to do. Simple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol opens a doorway for anyone who chooses to change by walking through this process, leading to a new life filled with freedom, healing, joy, and peace.”
—Steven Washington, movement and wellness expert, author of Recovering You, and founder of SWE Studio
“The strategies in this book are deceptively simple but help to create a container of structure, clarity, and sanity. I noticed how many of these approaches have supported my own long-term sobriety, and I’ve continued to add to my self-care toolbox thanks to this fabulous book. You cannot go wrong with these practices.”
—Jenna Hollenstein, MS, RD, nutrition therapist, and author of Intuitive Eating for Life and Eat to Love
“Rebecca Williams, with this wonderful book, helps answer the most important question about change: How do I actually do it? You never feel alone as she offers a how-to on such skills as new ways to be kind to yourself, how to talk to loved ones, and have fun. This book is a gem, and I can’t wait to share it with my clients!”
—Richard Brouillette, LCSW, psychotherapist, Psychology Today blogger, and author of Your Coping Skills Aren’t Working
“Simple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol is an easy-to-understand, easy-to-follow, and very strengths-based treasure chest of insightful and compassionate ways to self-soothe, which helps us to reduce feelings of shame and build true self-confidence. From mindfulness and acceptance, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Rebecca offers invaluable guidance on how to work with our tricky minds, and offer ourselves compassion to achieve our goals and choose a life without alcohol. This guide is a must-have resource!”
—Yuliana Gallegos Rodríguez, PhD, assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine; and clinical psychologist at the VA Medical Center
“This practical book provides enjoyable alternatives to alcohol, catering to various reasons for drinking. Its user-friendly table of contents makes it an easily accessible and valuable resource for all. With its engaging content, it’s a book worth revisiting again and again.”
—Denise G. Dempsey, CHT, MEd, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor, hypnotherapist, and author of Mindfulness Meditations for Stress
“What a gift! Or more accurately, what a treasure trove of gifts! The author’s expertise and engaging and encouraging approach shine throughout the book as she guides us through each strategy with clear, concise, and easy-to-understand instructions. The emphasis on scientific backing provides readers with confidence in the efficacy of the methods presented. This is now one of my go-to recommendations for loved ones and clients!”
—Carolyn B. Allard, PhD, ABPP, professor, and director of the clinical psychology PhD program at Alliant International University; and author of Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy
