Hangxiety – the dreaded feeling after a fun night out. Do you ever wake up the morning after a night of drinking and feel a sense of dread wash over you?
The sinking feeling in your stomach as you try to recall every moment of the previous night, hoping you didn’t embarrass yourself too much or hurt someone’s feelings. That feeling is commonly known as hangxiety – the anxiety and unease of a hangover.
But the good news is that you’re not alone. Hangxiety is a common experience for many people, and there are ways to manage it.
From drinking in moderation to practising mindfulness and self-compassion, there are steps you can take to ease the anxiety and lessen the impact of a hangover.
So if you’re familiar with the feeling of hangxiety, know that you’re not alone and there are ways to help you feel better.
What Is Hangxiety?
Hangxiety is a term used to describe the feeling of anxiety that often accompanies a hangover. If you’ve ever woken up the morning after a night of drinking with a racing heart, sweaty palms, and a sense of dread, you may have experienced hangxiety.
It’s a common phenomenon many people can relate to, caused by various factors. Alcohol is a depressant that can affect the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
In addition, when we drink, our bodies become dehydrated, and our liver has to work overtime to process the alcohol, leading to inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. This can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and make the symptoms of a hangover even worse.
Hangxiety can be a harrowing experience, but there are ways to manage it. Practising self-care, such as getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet, can help reduce the severity of hangover symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can also help rehydrate the body and ease anxiety.
If you’re someone who experiences hangxiety regularly, it’s essential to be mindful of your alcohol consumption and to take steps to manage your anxiety. By doing so, you can avoid the nasty symptoms of hangover anxiety and enjoy a healthier, happier life.
How Does It Differ From A Regular Hangover?
Hangxiety and a regular hangover are two experiences that often go hand in hand for people who drink alcohol. While they share some similarities, such as fatigue and dehydration, hangxiety and a regular hangover are distinct experiences with different causes and symptoms.
Understanding these differences can help people better manage their post-drinking symptoms and take steps to prevent hangxiety from occurring in the first place.
Hangxiety | Regular Hangover |
Anxiety, worry, and unease | Headache, nausea, and fatigue |
Emotional symptoms | Physical symptoms |
Can last several days, or longer | Typically lasts several hours to a day |
Rebound anxiety is a major contributor | Caused by dehydration and alcohol toxins |
May impact cognitive and emotional function | May impair physical function |
In summary, hangxiety and a regular hangover are distinct experiences with different causes and symptoms. While a regular hangover is typically characterised by physical symptoms such as headache and nausea, hangxiety is characterised by emotional symptoms such as anxiety and unease.
Hangxiety may also last longer than a regular hangover, impacting brain and emotional function. Understanding these differences can help people take steps to manage their symptoms and prevent hangover anxiety from occurring in the first place.
How Common Is Hangxiety In The UK?
Studies have suggested that it is a common experience for many people who drink alcohol. For example, a study in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that over a third of people who reported experiencing a hangover also reported anxiety symptoms.
Another study in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism found that anxiety symptoms were more common among people with a history of heavy drinking than those who drank less frequently.
While more research is needed to understand the prevalence and impact of hangxiety fully, these studies suggest that it is a common experience that can significantly impact people’s lives.
Why Do You get Hangxiety?
The reason for this is that alcohol has a significant impact on the brain and the body, which can cause feelings of anxiety and unease.
When we drink alcohol, it affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals play a crucial role in regulating our mood and emotions. When they become imbalanced, they can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Alcohol also affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can cause fluctuations in energy and mood. This can leave us feeling irritable and anxious, especially in the morning after a night of drinking.
In addition, alcohol is a diuretic, which means that it causes dehydration. When we’re dehydrated, our bodies have to work harder to function, which can lead to feelings of fatigue and anxiety.
Finally, our bodies must work hard to metabolise alcohol which can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain. This can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and make the symptoms of a hangover even worse.
Overall, hangxiety is a complex phenomenon caused by a combination of factors. Knowing how alcohol affects the brain and body, allows us to control our intake.
How Long Does Hangxiety Last?
The duration of hangxiety varies from person to person, but typically lasts a few hours to a day after drinking. The good news is that it’s temporary! Hangxiety usually subsides once the body has fully metabolised the alcohol and rehydrated itself.
So, if you’re feeling anxious the morning after a night of heavy drinking, take comfort that it won’t last forever.
How To Get Rid Of Hangxiety?
If you’ve ever experienced hangxiety, you know how unpleasant it can be. Here are the steps you can take to help ease the symptoms and get back to feeling like yourself again.
- Hydration: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to replenish your body’s fluids.
- Rest: Rest and get enough sleep to help you feel more relaxed and less anxious.
- Nutrition: Eat a healthy meal with nutrient-dense foods to help your body recover from the effects of alcohol. We know that a double cheeseburger is more appealing, but trust us, this is what you need.
- Relaxation: Practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to calm your mind and ease feelings of anxiety.
- Seek medical attention if your symptoms persist or become severe. Your doctor may be able to recommend additional treatments or medications to help you manage your symptoms.
Overall, hangover anxiety is an unpleasant experience, but it can be managed with the right approach. By caring for your body and mind, you can help ease the symptoms and return to feeling like yourself again.
How To Avoid Hangxiety
There are several steps that you can take to avoid experiencing hangxiety altogether:
- Pace yourself while drinking: It’s important to drink alcohol slowly and not consume too much too quickly. This can help your body to metabolise the alcohol effectively and reduce the chances of experiencing hangover anxiety the next day.
- Drink water between alcoholic drinks: Drinking water between alcoholic beverages can help you stay hydrated and prevent dehydration and you can also add Water soluble CBD in your water. It mixes easily in your water, which is a significant contributor to hangover anxiety.
- Avoid sugary and carbonated drinks: Sugary and carbonated beverages can exacerbate the effects of alcohol and increase the likelihood of experiencing hangxiety.
- Eat a meal before drinking: In this instance, eating is NOT chatting. Eating a meal before drinking can help slow down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream and reduce the risk of experiencing hangxiety.
- Get enough sleep: Getting enough rest is crucial for your body to recover from the effects of alcohol and reduce the likelihood of experiencing hangxiety the next day.
- Practice stress-reducing techniques: Engage in stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help reduce anxiety levels.
Following these steps can minimise the likelihood of experiencing hangxiety and enjoy a more pleasant post-drinking experience.
MightyMe Final Say
The anxiety and worry that comes with hangover anxiety can be distressing, but fortunately, you can take steps to alleviate the symptoms or avoid experiencing them altogether.
By taking care of your body, practising mindfulness techniques, and pacing yourself while drinking, you can reduce the risk of hangxiety and enjoy a more pleasant post-drinking experience.
However, it’s important to remember that seeking medical attention is essential if your hangxiety symptoms persist or become severe. With the right approach and mindset, you can manage or avoid hangxiety and enjoy a more enjoyable and healthier lifestyle.