Being a frequent social drinker myself, I\u2019ve experienced hangxiety on many<\/em> occasions. In just a moment, I\u2019ll explain \u2013 in detail \u2013 my personal hangxiety cure. This is what I always do<\/em> to stop anxiety the day after drinking.<\/p>\n But <\/strong>first, let\u2019s start by talking a bit about the basics (just remember, I am not a doctor!<\/strong><\/a>).<\/p>\n Hangxiety is the general sense of increased anxiety that we experience a day or two after drinking alcohol. For these few days, hangxiety can make us feel jittery, confused, or just generally stressed out. This is due to something called GABA rebound.<\/p>\n I say this quite often, because of how true it is: There is no such thing as a free ride when it comes to drugs.<\/strong><\/p>\n Alcohol is no exception \u2013 anytime we consume a drug, our body will need to compensate for it in some way. GABA is the major calming neurotransmitter in the brain. Alcohol works by binding to the GABA-a receptors so that we feel less anxious or inhibited. The next day, however, our GABA levels (amongst other important neurotransmitters) are depleted as we experience GABA rebound.<\/strong><\/p>\n Since it\u2019s GABA that keeps us calm, relaxed, and focused, we feel the opposite with our GABA levels lowered. It\u2019s important to remember that there are actually a number of reasons we feel crappy after drinking \u2013 dehydration, an irritated stomach, and diminished dopamine and serotonin levels can also contribute to our hangover. With regard to hangxiety, however, those GABA levels are going to be the biggest culprit.<\/p>\n When I would experience hangxiety (prior to figuring out my hangxiety cure ritual), it would usually just become a lazy day for me. Simple tasks like ordering food at a drive through would cause me to feel more socially anxious than usual. Focusing would be more difficult for me, my brain wouldn\u2019t feel like it was \u201cworking\u201d quite as well, and I’d be more jittery overall. On these days, I\u2019d vastly prefer to be alone, taking it easy and waiting for the hangxiety to run its course.<\/p>\n Fortunately, GABA rebound is only a temporary setback; hangxiety resolves itself for most people within a day or two. In my experience, like the rest of the hangover, hangxiety can start to be felt as soon as the last bit of alcohol is eliminated from the bloodstream \u2013 for most people, this is in the morning after a night of drinking.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hangxiety can also play a role in our sleep. My sleep can easily be ruined by overdrinking. If I drink a small amount of alcohol and fall asleep, I will wake up with hangxiety once the alcohol has worn off. If I drink a large amount, I’ll sleep through that night, but will typically have poor sleep, nightmares, or even nocturnal panic attacks<\/strong><\/a> the following night or two.<\/p>\n Occasional hangxiety from drinking is uncomfortable, but not inherently dangerous. Feelings of hangxiety may, however, make some people feel uncomfortable enough that they feel pressured to drink again. This is because a hangover is very similar to a mini-withdrawal.<\/p>\n To deal with these feelings of stress and anxiety, some people might want to self-medicate with alcohol<\/strong><\/a>. Ultimately, this is a very poor solution for anxiety. Anytime we turn to alcohol to deal with stress, or other psychological issues, we are putting ourselves at great risk of developing alcohol use disorder, or alcoholism. People who already suffer from anxiety may be more likely to succumb to alcoholism and overdrinking than those who are rarely anxious.<\/p>\n It\u2019s none of my business how or why you decide to drink. However, here are three rules I\u2019ve kept in place for myself over the years to avoid alcoholism:<\/strong><\/p>\n With alcoholism being a popular method of managing anxiety in my own family, I\u2019ve kept these three rules in place my whole life. As a regular social drinker for years, these three rules have served me well; I\u2019ve never craved or consumed alcohol outside of socially appropriate circumstances.<\/p>\n If your hangxiety ever gets too bad, or if you\u2019re frequently feeling the need to drink to cope with your anxiety \u2013 speak to a doctor or mental health professional immediately.<\/strong><\/p>\n Alright. With formalities out of the way, now we can talk a bit about what you\u2019re really here for. You\u2019re feeling some anxiety the day after drinking and you want to know what the best hangxiety cure is. Here\u2019s what I recommend:<\/p>\n The first step I recommend is to just take it easy for the day. I understand that some days you may have work or other appointments, and relaxing simply won\u2019t be an option. Okay, no problem; do what you\u2019ve got to do.<\/p>\n If it is possible, however, try and plan your night out in such a way that you don\u2019t have anything important or stressful to take care of afterward. Long past are the days where I could wake up from a bender and head straight to work with a smile on my face.<\/p>\n Take it easy for the day. Why bother pushing yourself and making your hangxiety worse by forcing yourself into stressful or uncomfortable situations? I\u2019m usually all for leaving your comfort zone and taking anxiety head-on, but this isn\u2019t really the day to do it. Sleep in, relax, and let your body fix the mess you\u2019ve made.<\/strong><\/p>\n Hangxiety is usually pretty mild in nature, making a natural stress relief tea one of my favorite options for fighting it. Ingredients like chamomile and valerian can help us to feel more relaxed and less stressed. Teas that include passionflower can help provide a natural way for us to replenish our brain\u2019s GABA levels. I\u2019d avoid black tea, green tea, or any other caffeinated beverages while you\u2019ve got hangxiety.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat is Hangxiety?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How Long Does Hangxiety Last?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
When Hangxiety Becomes Dangerous \u2013 Alcohol Use Disorder<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What to do When you Have Hangxiety: The Hangxiety Cure<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. Take it Easy for the Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. Make Some Stress Relief Tea<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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