How to relax and unwind without drinking alcohol

ALCOHOL HAS LONG BEEN SYNONYMous with relaxation.

- ANGELA HAUPT

Historically, if you wanted to unwind after a rough day at work—or kick back on the couch, at a baseball game, or in the pool—there’s a good chance you’d have a drink in hand.

Now, the tides are turning. In early January, then U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a report warning that even small amounts of alcohol can cause cancer. Drinking just one alcoholic beverage a day increases the risk of liver cirrhosis, esophageal cancer, oral cancer, and various injuries, a federal analysis suggests. According to a recent survey, nearly half of Americans are trying to cut back on their alcohol consumption in 2025—a 44% increase since 2023.

As the science around alcohol’s health risks crystallizes, a new question is brewing: What are you supposed to do to relax and unwind and escape your mental headspace if you ditch booze? Is there a healthier way to turn off your brain temporarily or shift into a happier place—and if so, how do you achieve it?