Alcohol, Anxiety and ‘Hangxiety’

Alcohol, Anxiety & ‘Hangxiety’

Having a glass of wine after a stressful day may seem like a good way to unwind, but you could be doing yourself more harm than good.

What is anxiety anyway?

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe. 

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life, it’s a completely normal emotion. For example, you may feel nervous when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision.

How does alcohol make anxiety worse?

Having a glass of wine after a stressful day may seem like a good way to unwind, but you could be doing yourself more harm than good. 

Initially the sedative nature of alcohol will make you feel more relaxed and at ease. However because alcohol can change levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the, this can worsen anxiety. In fact, you may feel more anxious after the alcohol wears off.

And what is ‘hangxiety’?

Basically, it’s hangover-related anxiety. Physical hangover symptoms can compound anxiety and make you feel even worse.

On top of this, you may also be worried about things you did or said when drunk, you may feel embarrassed or nervous about how your behaviour played out and this of course will make you feel more anxious.

The best way to avoid hangxiety is to be aware of how much you’re drinking and drink with low risk guidelines, you could also try to:
  • Eat before you drink. This is important as alcohol is absorbed more quickly if you drink on an empty stomach.
  • Drink between drinks. Drinking water or a soft drink after each alcoholic one will help you drink less alcohol and keep you hydrated.
  • Make a plan. Don’t feel pressured to drink more than you want. Avoid rounds and decide ahead of time how many drinks you'll have — and stick to it. 

Want to know how risky your drinking is?

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