The holidays haven’t even started — but your wine glass already has.

In this episode, Mike Hardenbrook unpacks the pre-holiday pour: why so many people start drinking more before the actual celebrations begin, and what that reveals about stress, anticipation, and how we try to “prepare” for joy. You’ll learn:

• The psychology behind pre-holiday drinking — from reward behavior to social pressure
• How stress hormones and dopamine make early drinking feel justified (but backfire fast)
• The real physical toll of “starting early” on sleep, immunity, and mental health
• Practical ways to decompress without draining your energy — plus how nutrients like Vitamin B12 and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) in Cloud9’s Daily Restore support mood, liver health, and recovery during the busiest season of the year

🎧 Tap play to learn why we drink before the holidays even start — and how to make this season feel lighter, calmer, and actually restorative.