Hangxiety is just not worth it—here’s how you can deal with it
If logic left the bar when you went out drinking, use these tips to recover from the hangxiety the next day.
They often talk about the silence before the storm but when it comes to hangxiety it’s the other way around. You have a raging night of Jagerbombs and more, and the next day, your insides go into protest mode for not being taken into consideration. It’s funny how hangovers and drunken nights become rarer as you grow older. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with indulging once in a while and having a great time, but if you ask me whether I find drinking like a fish worth it, I’d say a hard no. It’s not. And mostly, these nights start with a lot of fun but always end up with you bent over the toilet and honestly, I’d prefer my face being this close to a hottie instead.
What I enjoy instead is having a great night out, drinking and dancing, and waking up feeling like my insides are not aching (can’t do anything about my heart, but my liver yes)! Hangxiety is that feeling you get when you are part hungover, part anxious and you just can’t figure out why. You may or may not have done things you regret, but this feeling of hangxiety consumes you the next day and you just wish, like Carrie says in Sex and The City, you should have stayed home.
Hangxiety happens when the excessive high of the alcohol starts wearing off, and you begin to feel withdrawal symptoms. Why must a good night out end in a bad feeling? It’s just not worth it! If you end up having hangxiety, because logic often leaves the bar, here are a few tips to recover from it.
Breathe and slow down
You had a dynamic night. Now it’s time to breathe and take it easy. Slow down. It’s okay to feel anxious and make recovery a priority. If taking the day off is feasible then it’s great, if not, try to keep complicated tasks for the latter half of the day. Start your work day on a slow and joyous note. Grab that iced latte, listen to music on your way to work and spend some time planning your day.
Catch up on sleep
Sleep can be so rejuvenating and anyone in their 30s will agree. At this point, I value a good night’s sleep much more than I did before and that means sometimes, I have to say no to plans. If you are experiencing hangxiety, it’s okay to cancel your plan to just rest it out. The next day, you will feel fresh!
Eat well
This is not a solution to feeling anxious, but you will feel better with some carbs in you. Have your comfort food because comfort is all you need right now. Hug a person, devour that burger or chole bhature, and let the day take its course.
Spend time alone
Sometimes, our most well-intentioned loved ones can make us feel pressured to behave a certain way. When you are feeling like you just need some quiet time and your friends at the table keep asking you why you are so quiet or why you are not your usual cheerful self, you feel like you can’t just be. Instead, take some time alone to feel what you’re feeling, without feeling pressured or uneasy.
Practise healing
The most important thing, however, is to heal yourself. Sure, drowning yourself in work or binge-eating may make you feel distracted in the moment but that’s not mindful healing. Instead, focus on doing something creative or watching your favourite episode of a familiar show. Or simply listen to slow music, lie down and just take a moment to exist! Heal yourself the way you feel is the best.
