No, 'mummy wine time' isn't self-care, it's just dangerous

The impact of ‘mummy wine culture’ is that it encourages and normalises the use of alcohol to cope with the challenges of parenting and other stressors rather than addressing the cause of the problem.

Every time I open one of my social media apps, I’m bombarded with an array of “wind down with a wine” memes or mums exclaiming “it’s five o’clock somewhere” holding up a glass.

As a mother of two young children myself, it’s shocking to see targeted social media posts promoting ‘mummy wine time’ as a way of managing stress so prolific across the different platforms. Even parents who share posts with their friends making light-hearted jokes about using alcohol to cope with their kids are contributing to this potentially dangerous drinking culture.

Additionally, new data from The Banyans Healthcare reveals two in five women have a drink at the end of the day to wind down, with two in five drinking more when they’re stressed. We also know that a quarter of Aussie women who consume alcohol do so at risky levels, increasing the likelihood of developing long-term health issues.

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For those who are already drinking alcohol at potentially harmful levels, this may be further fuelled by the widespread popularity of ‘mummy wine time’. Therefore, it’s no surprise that in my work as a Consultant Psychiatrist, I’m clinically seeing more mothers seeking help for their drinking.

Although it’s concerning to see this increase, it’s also a sign that more mums are able to recognise when their drinking habits have become a problem, and have taken the first step towards making a positive change.

RELATED: I wasn't an alcoholic, but this is how I stopped relying on 'Mummy wine time'

'Wine mums' have become a recognised 'subtype' in recent years, but it's not a good thing. Picture: iStock

Is your relationship with alcohol "unhealthy"?

Some of the signs of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol include:

• Having an intense craving or urge to drink. This includes finding excuses to drink, such as feeling stressed or to celebrate
• Drinking alcohol despite it negatively impacting your job, personal life or relationships
• Feeling the need to drink to be able to sleep
• Choosing to drink alcohol over engaging in other activities or hobbies otherwise enjoyed, including spending time with friends and family
• If someone points out your alcohol consumption, you become defensive or overreact to perceived criticism

The impact of ‘mummy wine culture’ is that it encourages and normalises the use of alcohol to cope with the challenges of parenting and other stressors rather than addressing the cause of the problem. Alcohol disrupts sleep and is a depressant which undercuts our ability to manage stress, so although it may provide immediate relief it may actually be exacerbating the issue.

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Some of the health risks linked to long-term alcohol use include liver disease, heart disease, some cancers as well as depression and anxiety. However, in a society where peer pressure often pushes individuals towards excessive drinking, people may not register when their alcohol consumption has crossed into the problem drinking category.

In fact, researchers say social marketing and ‘mummy drinking’ is exploiting motherhood while contributing to alcohol consumption and related harms.

RELATED: Why it's time to change our 'Mummy Wine Culture'

Dr Ashlea White is a Consultant Psychiatrist at The Banyans Healthcare

"Self-care doesn't have to include wine"

If you’ve never explored your relationship with alcohol, Dry July can be a great opportunity to reflect on your drinking habits while seeing what a month of being sober can do for you. Those looking to cut out alcohol for a month will allow their body to reset, while potentially improving sleep, energy levels, mental clarity, and overall physical wellbeing.

Even simply swapping out some of your regular alcoholic beverages for one of the many non-alcoholic options available can also be a great way to cut back, if you don’t abstain for the entire month. I’m sure all mums will agree that it’s easier to deal with those early morning wake ups when you’re not feeling the lingering effects of alcohol from the night before!

However, it’s important to always consult with a healthcare professional before cutting out alcohol, especially if you have a history of heavy or prolonged drinking – yet a great place to start is by identifying any triggers or environments that promote excess consumption.

If you’re like me and can’t scroll on socials without being told to “wine because they whine”, remember there are a multitude of ways to prioritise self-care and winding down doesn’t always have to include wine. 

The research was conducted by PureProfile on a representative sample of 2000 Australians 18 years and older and weighted against ABS data for age, gender and location. The survey was conducted on behalf of The Banyans Healthcare in October 2023.

Dr Ashlea White is a Consultant Psychiatrist at The Banyans Healthcare

Originally published as No, 'mummy wine time' isn't self-care, it's just dangerous