If you drink alcohol, you know what it’s like to kick back and relax with a boozy beverage. Maybe you’ve lounged on a tropical beach with a cocktail in hand. Or, perhaps you’ve poured yourself a glass of red (or two) after a long day at work, complete with a delicious bowl of pasta. Needless to say, there’s nothing quite like relaxing and unwinding with a drink. But when you have one too many? You might feel the exact opposite: Anxiety.
Often, many of us associate hangovers with physical symptoms like with achy muscles, headache, fatigue, thirst, and bloodshot eyes. However, it’s actually common to experience emotional symptoms like anxiety and irritation the day after drinking. And no, it’s not just because you might have said something ridiculous the night before. (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.)
There are several reasons why you might feel anxious the day after boozing it up, and it all has to do with your body’s natural response to drinking.
First, alcohol is a diuretic, so it can make you pee like there’s no tomorrow. This could lead to dehydration, which can mess with your cognition and mood. Dehydration is usually responsible for those gnarly headaches, too.
Basically, drinking too much can stress out out your body, and your brain will be the first to know.
The struggle is so real.
Alcohol also makes your blood sugar drop. Normally, your body works to stabilize blood glucose, your brain’s main source of energy. But when you drink, your body switches gears and uses that glucose to excrete alcohol instead. As a result, your brain doesn’t have enough glucose, and you feel anxious and super tired.
Finally, alcohol causes inflammation, according to an article on Health. This can harm your nervous system and negatively affect your mood and ability to think properly.
Does this mean you need to give up rosé and mimosas? Not necessarily. You can avoid all the symptoms of a wretched hangover by limiting yourself to one or two drinks in a night.
While you’re at it, sip on water to keep dehydration at bay.
Your body (and brain) will thank you!
