(ETX Daily Up) – Nightclubs have reopened, standing concerts are allowed again. The alcohol is therefore likely to flow freely again, just as the hangover is likely to point the tip of its nose. But beyond the well-known physical inconveniences felt the day after alcoholic excesses, there is another evil that will have to be watched seriously: the “hangxiety”.
Contraction of the English terms “hang over” (“hangover”) and “anxiety” (“anxiety”), “hangxiety” refers to the fact of feeling the physical effects linked to the hangover (headaches or stomachaches, nausea, fatigue, etc.), coupled with psychological discomfort.
A phenomenon that can occur punctually or more regularly, insofar as it can be linked to several factors. The most common reason (and also the most obvious) is related to a generally reduced secretion of dopamine. Nicknamed the “happiness hormone”, this chemical, produced by neurons, regulates our level of anxiety. And the greater the alcohol abuse, the higher the dopamine drop is likely to be, which can lead to a feeling of anxiety.
Cortisol may also play a role in the manifestation of hangxiety. Unlike dopamine, this hormone, associated with carbohydrate regulation, can increase stress if secreted in excessive amounts. However, excessive alcohol consumption will lead to an overproduction of cortisol and therefore risks leading to stress and/or anxiety.
To this is added the guilt of remaining inactive the day after a drunken evening and of failing in one’s responsibilities: missing a Sunday lunch with the family, failing to take care of one’s children… Even skipping an important work meeting. , if you couldn’t resist the temptation to hang out last Wednesday (disco reopening night) and you got home a little (much) later than expected!
However, we are not all equal when it comes to hangxiety. If some will never (or almost) feel it, others will on the contrary undergo it frequently. This is particularly the case of people with an anxious temperament or in the grip of difficulties representing sources of anxiety. The idea of ”drink to forget” is therefore probably to be avoided for those who will recognize themselves in this description!
But whether you are particularly exposed or not, the advice for escaping hangxiety remains generally the same for everyone: hydrate, sleep or even meditate to get rid of your anxieties. And, of course, drink in moderation.