Millie Mackintosh: The Coping Strategy That’s Making Mothers More Anxious

About this episode

<p><strong>Ready for a career that fits who you are now? </strong>Join my 30-day Career Pivot Challenge, starting 17th November 2026. Together, we’ll uncover your strengths, explore what’s possible and turn your next move into a practical plan. <a href="https://course.motherkind.co/your-next-move-waitlist"><strong>Join the waitlist</strong></a> for first access and 30% off.</p><p>Does the thought of getting through bedtime without that evening glass of wine feel almost impossible?</p><p>Motherhood can leave your nervous system completely overwhelmed. You’re overstimulated, exhausted, carrying the mental load and desperately looking for something that will help you switch off. It makes sense that alcohol can begin to feel like the quickest way to find relief.</p><p>But what if the thing helping you cope in the moment is actually making you feel more anxious, affecting your sleep and leaving motherhood feeling even harder the next day?</p><p>In this powerful Moment, Zoe is joined by author, entrepreneur and Made in Chelsea alumna Millie Mackintosh to unpack the reality behind “mummy needs wine” culture.</p><p>Millie shares how easily alcohol became intertwined with motherhood, from champagne after giving birth to drinking at children’s parties and counting down to that first evening glass. She explains why she eventually realised it was stealing her joy, and the practical first steps that helped her change her relationship with drinking.</p><p>This isn’t about judgement or labels. It’s an honest conversation for anyone who has wondered whether alcohol is still working for them.</p><p><strong>💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Why motherhood can make alcohol feel like such a powerful coping mechanism</p></li><li><p>How even moderate drinking can affect anxiety and sleep</p></li><li><p>Why “mummy needs wine” culture has become so normalised</p></li><li><p>The signs that alcohol may be taking more from your life than it gives</p></li><li><p>How to explore your relationship with drinking without labelling yourself</p></li><li><p>The practical first steps Millie recommends if you know something needs to change</p></li><li><p>Why support, information and self-compassion can make changing your habits feel possible</p></li></ul><p><strong>Watch every full episode on </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Zoe-Blaskey"><strong>YouTube</strong></a><strong> and subscribe.&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Loved this episode?</strong></p><p>Follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode of Motherkind. It helps more mothers find the show and keeps our community growing.</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy Zoe’s conversation with <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/frankie-bridge-how-to-stay-ambitious-after-kids-without/id1295306961?i=1000788799292&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com">Frankie Bridge: How to Stay Ambitious After Kids Without the Mum Guilt</a>&nbsp;</p><p>An honest conversation about anxiety, maternal mental health and giving mothers permission to admit when they are struggling.</p><p><strong>Feeling like you’re carrying it all? </strong><a href="https://course.motherkind.co/mental-load-podcast-cheat-sheet">Download your FREE Mental Load Cheat Sheet</a> and learn how to start feeling lighter, even if nothing in your life changes.</p><p><strong>Connect with Zoe:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Follow Zoe on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zoeblaskey/">Instagram</a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoelevings/">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeblaskeymotherkind?lang=en">TikTok</a></p></li><li><p>Get Zoe’s Sunday Times bestselling book, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motherkind-happiest-fulfilled-empowering-podcast/dp/0008650829/ref=zg_bsnr_g_books_d_sccl_2/260-9943622-5435716?psc=1">'Motherkind: A New Way to Thrive in a World of Endless Expectations’</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>This Motherkind episode is sponsored by:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Headline sponsor: Wild Nutrition, the brand raising the bar for women’s supplements. Want to feel the Food-Grown difference yourself? Get 50% off for three months at <a href="http://wildnutrition.com/motherkind">wildnutrition.com/motherkind</a>. Ts and Cs apply.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><p>Motherhood and alcohol • Mummy wine culture • Grey-area drinking • Sober curiosity • Alcohol-free motherhood • Maternal anxiety • Anxiety after drinking • Alcohol and sleep • Nervous-system regulation • Overstimulation in motherhood • Maternal mental health • Mental load • Drinking habits • Emotional coping mechanisms • Sobriety • Self-care for mothers • Millie Mackintosh • Bad Drunk • Motherkind</p>