A Balanced Glass: Keeping Alcohol and Health on the Level in the Workplace

July 23, 2019

A Balanced Glass: Keeping Alcohol and Health on the Level in the Workplace

by Cristina Bell

July 22, 2019

As one of the leading economic drivers in the U.S., the beverage alcohol industry not only provides wine, beer and spirits to the masses, it also employs a large number of Americans. With high consumer demand for alcohol in both strong and weak economic times, the wine industry specifically is a key engine for growth and opportunity in the U.S. economy. But it also has its downsides.

An overall awareness to health issues that arise while working in the beverage alcohol industry is necessary to be able to maintain stability. Rebecca Hopkins, an experienced communication strategist working as vice president of communications for Folio Fine Wine Partners in Napa, speaker, moderator, and host, founded A Balanced Glass in hopes of bringing awareness to this pressing issue for individuals working in the beverage alcohol industry. “When you are working within the beverage alcohol industry, you are at stake,” Hopkins said.

The A Balanced Glass website and newsletter, both co-authored by Hopkins and Cathy Huyghe, co-founder and CEO of Enolytics LLC, launched in March 2018 and has grown remarkably since then. With more than 500 subscriptions to the weekly blasts and 700 members in the Facebook group, A Balanced Glass has reached many audiences within the beverage alcohol industry. While most subscribers are U.S.-based, other top countries include: Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada.

A Balanced Glass

A Balanced Glass serves as a platform for individuals working in the beverage alcohol industry; providing guidance and support in the pursuit of work-life balance and overall wellness. Constant tastings, client and company restaurant meals, travel and public life all takes its toll when one is surrounded by it every day.

“Often, one doesn’t realize when they’ve crossed the line,” Hopkins said. Binge drinking, according to the NIAAA Alcohol’s Effects on the Body, is four or more drinks in two hours for men and three or more drinks in two hours for women. “Having self-awareness is necessary in this type of industry,” she said. Not only is alcohol in the workplace harmful to one’s health, it also effects individuals work productivity. According to the CDC Costs of Drinking report of 2018, workplace productivity is lowered to a 72% when drinking and loses up to $179 billion of productivity.

By providing resources, guidance, and connections within the industry, Hopkins and Huyghe help bring awareness to this important issue. “I didn’t do this for fame, I did this to start a conversation,” Hopkins said. “The job of any of us isn’t to judge what people do, it’s to be the best of what you can for yourself and if you can bring people along with you.great.”

“It’s foolish to think we are going to change things tomorrow. Culturally we cannot do that,” Hopkins said, adding that this is just the beginning of a worldwide awareness of wellness and health in alcohol industries. Wine and culture are some of the world’s greatest and oldest assets. Learning how to be surrounded by constant exposure to food and alcohol is important to know how to “survive and thrive” according to Hopkins. A greater investment in health is needed. “Larger distributor companies make so much money off of the people that they should be putting money back into foundational health for their staff,” Hopkins said.

“Objectives remain predominantly to make money, drive yourself, drive your team, build your business and sell more,” Hopkins said, adding that this isn’t all bad but, there should be a moral obligation to the people that come into the industry. “Things need to change,” she said. With the wrong objectives and no self-awareness, individuals in this industry can slip into excess, fast. It’s really all about learning how to bring health awareness into the workplace.

The goal of A Balanced Glass is to continue the conversation and work toward solutions.

“Many people come with deep challenges or issues and its hard,” Hopkins said. “We don’t try and own their problems; we digest them and try to help as much as we can. We want to bring these shadowed subjects to life.”

Recently, Hopkins and Huyghe have incorporated more ways to include a greater number and diversity of voices into this conversation. By handing over a column each month, individuals in the community can broaden their knowledge set and hear an incredible amount of perspectives.

“We want more voices in the community,” Hopkins said. With varying weekly stories, A Balanced Glass is able to generate and stir emotions while maintaining its core message.

Personal Practices from the Founders

With more than 25 years of experience in the wine industry, Hopkins understands and knows the mental and physical health challenges that can occur when working in this industry. “My big love is breath work,” Hopkins said. “It’s my only saving grace.” To that end, Hopkins and Huyghe integrated a ‘Breathing and Meditation for Better Business’ session at the Women of the Vine Conference and also included a ‘Refresh Lounge’ for those attending. “Often, we get a high level of admission,” Hopkins said. “But then there are people who don’t see the necessity for all of this.”

“In the end, it is prioritizing,” Hopkins said when asked how she manages her day job, A Balanced Glass and overall health stability. “It weaves into my work and my life,” she said.

With yoga and meditation to manage stress and anxiety, Hopkins and Huyghe incorporate this into their daily lives as mere practices for a better and healthier lifestyle.

“It’s about having the knowledge and resources to maintain yourself in this kind of industry,” Hopkins said. “That’s what we are trying to do.” Taking a couple minutes in a day to disconnect and decompress is a step in the right direction.

https://www.winebusiness.com/news/?go=getArticle&dataId=217001