Why You Reach for Wine (and What Your Nervous System Really Wants)

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Quiz Questions

1.
When you reach for alcohol, what’s usually going on in your body or life?
- A.
  I’m curious, reflective — just wondering how it might shift my mood.
- B.
  I’m tense or buzzing from the day and need to come down.
- C.
  I’m overwhelmed or zoned out — alcohol helps me feel something
- D.
  I feel emotionally flat or heavy, and drinking feels like a small lift from the fog.
- E.
  I’m with others, and saying yes feels easier than standing out.
2.
How do you feel the next morning after drinking?
- A.
  Mostly fine, but sometimes a little misaligned.
- B.
  Drained and jittery — like I’m back in the fast lane.
- C.
  Both anxious and flat — like I’m stuck in a strange cycle.
- D.
  Numb, groggy, and more disconnected than before.
- E.
  A little off — like I betrayed myself to keep the peace.
3.
When you imagine a life without alcohol, what’s your first emotional response?
- A.
  Curious — I wonder who I’d become.
- B.
  Anxious — how would I cope with stress?
- C.
  Uncertain — I don’t know what would hold me together.
- D.
  Indifferent or doubtful — would anything really change?
- E.
  Nervous — what if people don’t understand or pull away?
4.
Which of these most describes your typical energy state?
- A.
  Calm, connected, but craving deeper clarity.
- B.
  Restless, driven, often overstimulated.
- C.
  Unpredictable — sometimes wired, sometimes wiped.
- D.
  Low, sluggish, and hard to motivate.
- E.
  Tuned into everyone else — I often forget what I feel.
5.
What role does alcohol play in your social life?
- A.
  I can take it or leave it — I’m mostly self-assured.
- B.
  It helps me feel confident or loosened up.
- C.
  It gets me through uncomfortable moments.
- D.
  It’s a shield — without it, I feel invisible or withdrawn.
- E.
  It helps me feel included — like I belong in the moment.
6.
How connected do you feel to your body and its signals?
- A.
  Mostly connected — I notice subtle shifts and sensations.
- B.
  Disconnected until I crash — then I realize I’ve pushed too far.
- C.
  I check out often, but sometimes I tune back in.
- D.
  Numb — it’s hard to know what my body needs at all.
- E.
  I ignore my signals to keep others comfortable or happy.
7.
What’s your deepest desire when it comes to your relationship with alcohol?
- A.
  To glow more fully without needing it.
- B.
  To feel calm and safe without reaching for it.
- C.
  To find steadiness and stop bouncing between extremes.
- D.
  To feel anything at all — even just a flicker.
- E.
  To honor myself even if others don’t understand.
8.
What tends to trigger your cravings most often?
- A.
  A sense of disconnection from myself or my joy.
- B.
  High stress, rushing, or overstimulation.
- C.
  Emotional whiplash — big feelings or sudden shifts.
- D.
  Boredom, loneliness, or a heavy emotional fog.
- E.
  Social tension or fear of disappointing someone.
9.
How do you typically respond to difficult emotions?
- A.
  I allow them in gently and try to stay present.
- B.
  I try to fix or move past them quickly.
- C.
  I swing between feeling too much and nothing at all.
- D.
  I shut down or go numb — it feels safer that way.
- E.
  I focus on managing others' comfort instead of feeling my own.
10.
When you think about your “glow,” what comes to mind?
- A.
  A soft, steady inner light I want to deepen.
- B.
  Something I have to work hard to earn or deserve.
- C.
  A flicker I sometimes feel but can’t sustain.
- D.
  A far-off concept I’m not sure I’ve ever really felt.
- E.
  Something I dim so I don’t take up too much space.
11.
How often do you override your body’s needs (rest, food, movement, stillness)?
- A.
  Rarely — I check in and try to honor them.
- B.
  Often — there’s just no time to slow down.
- C.
  I try, but it’s inconsistent.
- D.
  Almost always — I don’t even notice what I need.
- E.
  Constantly — it feels selfish to prioritize myself.
12.
When you imagine the next season of your life alcohol-free, how does it feel in your body?
- A.
  Expansive — like coming home.
- B.
  Scary — I’m not sure I could handle everything without it.
- C.
  Uncertain — but something inside me is curious.
- D.
  Heavy — like I’d be giving up my only comfort.
- E.
  Tender — like I’d finally be choosing me.

Quiz Outcomes

1.
The Glimmer
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Ventral Vagal — Steady, Connected, Radiant“I finally feel safe enough to just be me.”You’re discovering the gentle power of your own glow. When you feel safe and supported, your nervous system allows you to feel present, emotionally attuned, and deeply connected to your own body’s wisdom. Your glow feels natural, not forced.You know how to create moments of ease and radiance—whether that’s savoring a sunrise, holding boundaries, or letting your breath soften your day.Your journey is about nourishing this steady light, protecting it from burnout, and letting yourself trust that your natural glow is real and here to stay.→ The Afterglow Guide is filled with practices to strengthen what you already sense: that your radiance is real, and it’s time to return to it — fully.
2.
The Spark
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Sympathetic — Buzzy, Driven, Always Seeking“If I just keep moving, maybe I’ll finally feel okay.”Description:You burn bright and fast, often searching for that next spark—of relief, excitement, or escape. Your nervous system is tuned to “go mode,” bringing bursts of energy, inspiration, or restlessness.You may reach for a glass to either dial down the charge or chase a fleeting sense of connection or control.Your healing path is about letting your spark become a steady flame—inviting softness, pause, and permission to slow down. Your light is powerful, and it deserves to burn in ways that sustain you, not just ignite you.→ If you're ready to explore body-based calming practices to ease out of overdrive and into your radiance, the Afterglow Guide is your next gentle step.
3.
The Flicker
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Functional Freeze — Up & Down, Inconsistent, Tender“Why can’t I ever just settle and stay steady?”Description:Your inner light comes and goes, sometimes shining brightly, sometimes dimming without warning. You may swing between “all on” and “all off,” feeling like you can never quite land in the middle.This flickering is your nervous system’s tender way of navigating stress, uncertainty, or overwhelm. It’s not a flaw; it’s a survival wisdom—keeping you from burning out, but also from feeling steady.Your healing lies in gentle, rhythmic rituals—tiny daily practices that help your glow become more stable, and teach your body that it’s safe to stay with the light, even as it changes.→ If you’re ready to gently recalibrate and begin creating emotional consistency from the inside out, the Afterglow Guide is your companion home.
4.
The Ember
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Dorsal Vagal — Quiet, Banked, Waiting to Rekindle“It’s easier to just disappear for a while.”Description:Your light is soft and quiet, sometimes hidden deep within. When life feels overwhelming or exhausting, you may notice yourself withdrawing, feeling numb, or running on empty.But even when you feel dim or distant, there’s always an ember glowing beneath the surface—proof that your radiance is never truly gone.Your nervous system is longing for gentle warmth and reminders that it’s safe to return to the light. Your journey is about tending your ember—little by little, with rest, kindness, and hope—until you feel your glow rising again.→ The Afterglow Guide offers soft, sensory steps to gently reconnect and reawaken your natural radiance.
5.
The Halo
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Fawn — Gentle, Peacekeeping, Glowing for Others“If everyone else is okay, maybe then I’ll be okay too.”Description:Your light shines most when you’re caring for others, keeping the peace, or tending to the needs of those around you. Your nervous system has learned that safety comes from glowing outward—sometimes so much that you forget to nourish your own radiance.You may find it easier to tune in to others’ feelings than your own, and sometimes lose touch with what you truly need or want.Your healing lies in gently reclaiming your light, practicing small boundaries, and letting yourself shine for you. Remember: Your glow is sacred, and it’s safe to keep some of your light just for yourself.→ The Afterglow Guide offers soft, sensory steps to gently reconnect to your inner self