Katy Perry Explained Why She Goes Through 'Phases' Without Drinking

Many people's relationship to alcohol is a deeply personal one, and for some, the decision to drink or not drink is ever-evolving. Katy Perry is hoping to expand fun drink options for those who want to forgo alcohol but don't want to be stuck sipping on a boring seltzer water. Along with the launch of her new non-alcoholic bubbly line, she's revealing how her own relationship with alcohol has changed over time, sharing that it's all about "balance" these days.

In an interview to promote De Soi, her new sparkling ready-to-drink non-alcoholic apéritifs, Perry told People the personal (and relatable) reason she wanted to create a bubbly brand that tastes great without any added booze. "Well, I'm 37, so I definitely can't drink like I was in my 20s," she joked.

Of course, wanting to avoid a horrible hangover is reason enough to enjoy a smarter sip at any age, especially if, like Perry, you find the following day post-cocktails throws off your general vibe. "On a weekday, having a couple [of alcoholic drinks] will take me out of the presence game for the next day or two. So I like to have a bit of self-control on the weekdays and then have dinners with friends and stuff on weekends or when I'm not working, et cetera," the singer told People. "But really it's about balance." (Jennifer Garner recently said she's rethinking her approach to drinking, too.)

She also revealed that she'll "go through phases" with and without drinking, adding, "Sometimes I'm not drinking and I'm really focused. And then sometimes I'm like, it's not a big deal." This isn't the first time Perry has spoken out about managing her alcohol use. In a 2013 with Britain's Alan Carr, she talked about going alcohol-free for three months as part of a larger "cleanse" in an effort to get through a difficult time in her life, as reported by Daily Mail.

Perry's perspective no doubt lines up with plenty of others who are trying to be more mindful about their alcohol consumption. From being sober curious by trying a 30-day hiatus from drinking (see: Dry January) to simply checking in with yourself about what it is you're hoping to get out of that glass of wine (i.e., is it a coping mechanism for stress that might be better served by a hangover-free option such as meditation, yoga, or journaling?), there are plenty of solid, judgment-free reasons to engage with alcohol in a more balanced way, à la Ms. "Teenage Dream" herself. (

As addiction recovery specialist Laura Ward previously explained to Shape, "If a program like Dry January (or another alcohol-free challenge at any time of year) attracts and engages people who are 'sober curious' or fall anywhere on the 'gray-area drinking' spectrum before they reach rock bottom — or simply worsen their relationship with alcohol — then that's a great thing. What so many people don't realize is that they don't have to hit rock bottom before they begin evaluating their relationship with alcohol — whether they cut back or stop drinking entirely. Society has normalized alcohol, so this is an opportunity to see what it feels like to remove it." (Read more about how to actually pull off a Dry January here.)

Of course, if you do feel that your alcohol consumption is becoming problematic to your health and well-being or that you veer into excessive or binge drinking, you will want to check in with a trusted doctor or mental health professional, who can advise you on the safest ways to reduce or stop drinking altogether.

And ICYDK, there are actually tons of mind-body benefits to not drinking alcohol you might not even be aware of — regardless of whether your use is problematic or not. For starters, despite helping you feel more relaxed and/or drowsy at first, alcohol actually messes with your sleep big time, interrupting your body's natural ability to fall — and stay — asleep soundly, New York City-based psychiatrist Carlene MacMillan, M.D., previously told Shape. And yeah, a poor night's sleep sets up a rough foundation for the following day, which means you'll be in a worse mood, have more difficulty focusing, and it's entirely possible you'll skip a healthy A.M. routine in favor of catching more zzz's. By giving up alcohol, people are better able to stick to exercise routines, said Dr. MacMillan. "From an athletic performance standpoint, alcohol can impact hydration status, motor skills, and muscle recovery," added Angie Asche, R.D., a sports dietitian and clinical exercise physiologist. Not to mention, "taking a break from booze can also elevate your energy levels," noted Kristin Koskinen, R.D.N., a registered dietitian nutritionist. Drinking depletes B vitamins, which provide a crucial sustained energy boost.

There are also tons of long-term bennies to skipping booze that impact both your physical and emotional well-being, such as reducing the risk of many cancers, improving heart health, helping the immune system, and not damaging the liver, as Dr. MacMillan previously told Shape. And you might find that you'll think more clearly without the haze of a few post-work cocktails clouding things. Plus, turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism for dealing with difficult or painful emotions means you're not taking the proper steps to process those emotions, according to Dr. MacMillan.(

Of course, there's no judgment whatsoever when it comes to your choice to imbibe or not. But kudos to Perry for making it even easier — and just as much fun — to try mixing it up by way of more tasty non-alcoholic options. And, of course, for reminding fans that it really is about "just taking care of your temple as best as you possibly can while still having tons of fun."