Learn / Hangxiety: What Is It & How To Avoid It
July 1st, 2023
Dancing in the shimmering interstice between nightfall and dawn, when inhibitions surrender to the night's rhythm, there exists a state of post-euphoria often disregarded, a phenomenon dubbed “hangxiety.” A portmanteau of 'hangover' and 'anxiety,' hangxiety is the gloomy shadow cast over your mental health by overindulgence.
Hangxiety is not just the physical remnants of a night out — it's an existential hangover, an ethereal discomfort that plays out in the theater of the mind. It's particularly familiar to those wrestling with social anxiety, who find solace in the blurred boundaries that drinking alcohol creates, only to find themselves staring into a deeper abyss the following morning.
Hangxiety is the unwelcome guest that overstays its welcome after a night of excessive drinking. More than mere physical aftermath, it's an existential quandary. Unlike the headaches and nausea that are the typical signatures of a hangover, hangxiety manifests as an elevated sense of worry, a nagging discomfort that stems from the corners of your psyche.
The symptoms of hangxiety can be both physical and psychological. On a physiological level, hangxiety is the echo of your body's desperate attempt to restore balance after alcohol-induced imbalance. On a psychological level, it's a fallout from the protective barriers that alcohol temporarily provides being stripped away, leaving one's anxieties naked and amplified.
Unraveling the mysteries of hangxiety calls for a voyage into the sprawling maze of potential instigators.
1. Social Anxiety
For many, social spaces are akin to a complex ballet, a dance rife with potential missteps. The sweet elixir of alcohol, with its relaxing embrace, can make this dance seemingly effortless. It becomes a social lubricant, smoothing the rough edges of interactions for those navigating the turbulent seas of social anxiety.
Yet, as the intoxicating mist recedes, the sober reality of the past night's social intricacies rushes back in, often amplifying the morning's anxious whispers into a cacophony of hangxiety.
2. Alcohol Withdrawal
The habitual dance with alcohol creates an invisible bond, a tethering of the brain to its intoxicating partner. When this rhythm is abruptly disrupted after a night of alcohol consumption, withdrawal symptoms emerge from the shadows.
Amidst these specters, anxiety stands tall. It is the brain's desperate cry as it staggers to restore balance in the jarring absence of its routine partner, alcohol.
3. Dehydration
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it promotes diuresis, or increased production of urine. This can lead to dehydration, characterized by thirst, dizziness, and fatigue. Dehydration can also exacerbate feelings of anxiety, contributing to the hangxiety experience. It's not just the lack of water but the imbalance of electrolytes that can send your body into a state of stress.
This physiological turmoil mirrors the psychological whirlwind of anxiety, contributing to the ensemble of hangxiety. It's a reminder that our bodies and minds are intricately entwined, each echoing the other's distress calls in a profound symphony of interconnectedness.
4. Alcohol Use Disorder
Within the realms of drinking alcohol lurks a more treacherous phantom known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). This isn't simply the consequence of one heavy drinking episode but a chronic overconsumption pattern, where the pursuit of ephemeral joy becomes a Sisyphean task. The cycle is vicious, and it's within this cyclical whirlwind that hangxiety often manifests itself.
In the absence of the usual alcohol levels, withdrawal symptoms set in, and anxiety is one of the most common manifestations. The turmoil experienced during alcohol withdrawal is more than just physical discomfort. It's an emotional and psychological storm, the thunders of which reverberate through the corridors of mental well-being, creating feelings of anxiety that are hard to quell.
What exactly causes the uncomfortable feelings of hangxiety, you may wonder? It's a concerto of brain chemicals, an orchestra of neurotransmitters performing a symphony that is both intoxicating and destabilizing. At the heart of this performance are the musicians: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), dopamine, and glutamate.
Hangxiety and Neurotransmitters
Alcohol consumption enhances the inhibitory role of GABA, inducing a sense of calm and relaxation. Concurrently, it increases dopamine levels, which are responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward.
It's a sweet harmony that draws many towards the amber allure of a glass. Yet, while these neurotransmitters are serenading your senses, alcohol is also suppressing glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter. The result is a physiological slowdown, the 'buzz' that most drinkers chase.
But every symphony concludes, and the next day after a night of drinking, the body rebounds in its quest for equilibrium. GABA activity decreases, and glutamate spikes. As these neurotransmitters oscillate, so does your health, as it navigates the tempestuous seas of hangover symptoms.
Hangxiety and Stress Hormones
In the silent symphony of the body's complex systems, cortisol, the stress hormone, plays a lead instrument. It whispers of impending danger, stoking the fires of the fight-or-flight response, its notes subtly dancing on the strings of anxiety disorders.
The delicate ballet of cortisol becomes a frantic pirouette during periods of sleep deprivation, contributing to the early morning unrest so often associated with hangxiety.
Interestingly, alcohol plays a confounding role in this intricate dance. As alcohol affects the body, it may temporarily sedate the heart rate, luring the unsuspecting into a sense of tranquility.
But, as the evening progresses, alcohol's true colors are unveiled. It disrupts the body's rhythms, leading to alcohol-related sleep disturbances, turning the heart rate's tranquil waltz into a fast-paced tango that can cause you to experience hangxiety the next morning.
As the curtain lifts on the morning after a night of indulgence, the physical symptoms of a hangover take center stage. An insistent headache drums its beat, the stomach stirs, and a lethargy, heavy as a leaden cloak, drapes over the entire body.
However, buried within this corporeal cacophony, as those who experience anxiety know, hangxiety often steps into the spotlight quietly. Characterized by an increased heart rate, a sense of unease, and an unshakeable feeling of doom, it can feel like being caught in a storm at sea, desperately reaching for a lifeline of calm amidst the tumultuous waves.
But hangxiety is more than a standard hangover's anxious cousin. It's a unique composition, a chord that strikes a distinct dissonance in the symphony of post-drinking experiences.
Its signs mirror those of generalized anxiety disorder, including restlessness, excessive worry, and irritability. Similar to the common symptoms of anxiety, a sense of impending doom or danger, difficulty concentrating, and even physical symptoms such as trembling or sweating may accompany the experience of hangxiety.
In the dance of hangxiety, prevention and management play key roles. Here, the guiding hand of healthcare professionals can be instrumental, particularly in handling mental health conditions related to alcohol use. They offer insight, strategies, and a compassionate understanding of the complex interplay between alcohol and anxiety.
Here are a few measures to consider.
1. Mindful Consumption and Hydration
A simple glass of water can be a powerful ally in the face of hangxiety. Make sure to rehydrate after a night of indulgence to help restore your body's equilibrium, quelling the physical symptoms that can amplify feelings of anxiety.
Drinking on an empty stomach can amplify the effects of alcohol, making hangxiety more likely. It’s essential to ensure your body isn’t starved of nutrients before embarking on a night of revelry.
2. Regular Detox
Periods of detox can help reset the body and mind, allowing them to heal from the effects of alcohol. It's a pause, a moment of introspection that can lead to healthier choices.
3. Mindful Practices
Maintaining your well-being also involves mental and emotional care. Practices such as deep breathing exercises can be incredibly beneficial in managing anxiety, serving as a refuge in the storm of hangxiety.
4. Aplós Functional Spirits
For those who enjoy the social aspect of drinking but seek to escape the clutches of hangover anxiety, consider an alternative: Aplós functional spirits.
Aplós Arise, for instance, is crafted with a proprietary blend of adaptogens designed to uplift and stimulate, substituting alcohol for beneficial botanicals to create a bright and luxurious elixir. Arise offers a sophisticated experience reminiscent of alcohol, enriching social gatherings without the hangover aftermath.
5. Consult a Healthcare Professional
In this ballet, it's also important to remain alert to the potential for alcohol dependence and substance abuse, two specters that can escalate the hangxiety experience.
While personal preventative measures can play a significant role, don't underestimate the importance of seeking professional help if you find yourself grappling with alcohol dependence or an escalating hangxiety experience.
Alcohol misuse and its spectral partner, substance abuse, may require more than self-guided intervention. Engaging with healthcare professionals who understand the complexities of these conditions can offer strategies and treatments that empower you to regain control and prioritize your mental health.
Life, a splendid tapestry woven from countless threads of experience, offers many moments for joyous celebration. A night out, an intimate gathering, these are the scenes where we connect, laugh, and share. Yet, these moments need not be shrouded in the specter of hangxiety nor compromise your health.
If alcohol has you tangled in a dance of anxiety, consider stepping onto a different stage with Aplós' non-alcoholic functional spirits. Crafted with meticulous precision, these beverages, like Aplós Arise, can elevate your favorite cocktails and enhance the social fabric — without weaving in the negative effects of a hangover.
Remember, the grandeur of life is in the delicate balance between joy and well-being. Let Aplós functional spirits be your dance partner in this waltz, a companion that allows you to fully embrace the music of each moment. With Aplós, every sip shared with friends is a celebration of holistic harmony.
Sources:
The impact of alcohol hangover symptoms on cognitive and physical functioning, and mood | PMC
Mechanism of Dehydration Following Alcohol Ingestion | JAMA Internal Medicine
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder | NIAAA
What Drinking On An Empty Stomach Does To Your Body | HuffPost