The emotional hangover refers to to the state of mental and emotional exhaustion that many people feel after experiencing emotions of all kinds. Normally, the aforementioned hangover occurs after certain quite significant events such as traumatic experiences or breakups with a partner.
In the following article we give you a series of tips so that you can combat the emotional hangover and enjoy good mental or emotional health.
What are the symptoms of an emotional hangover
The emotional hangover manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- There is excessive fatigue and an obvious lack of energy.
- Are produced humor changes quite important.
- There are problems at the time to be able to concentrate.
- It is not possible to fall asleep optimally and severe episodes of insomnia occur.
- High state of stress and anxiety.
All of this occurs due to the wear and tear that intense emotions generate in the brain and body. Intense emotions will activate the sympathetic nervous system, causing the release of stress hormones. as is the case of cortisol and adrenaline.
How to combat an emotional hangover
In case you suffer from an emotional hangover, do not hesitate to take good note of the following recommendations:
Put self-compassion into practice
Self-compassion involves being kind and understanding with yourself in times of suffering. Instead of beating yourself up for feeling exhausted or not being able to handle your emotions, it is important to practice self-compassion and be aware that all people go through difficult times. It is therefore good to maintain an internal dialogue with oneself or practice guided meditations focused on the topic of self-compassion.
Rest adequately
Emotional exhaustion is usually accompanied by extreme tiredness and a significant lack of energy. That is why it is important rest and relax for the body to recover. Therefore, do not hesitate to try to sleep a few hours a day and do relaxing activities such as listening to music or taking a hot shower before going to bed.
Social support
Support from friends and family is key when dealing with an emotional hangover. It is therefore good to talk to the closest circle in order to relieve some emotional burden. It's also a good idea to see a therapist to get some guidance as well as professional support.
Lead a healthy life
There is no doubt that there is a direct relationship between physical and emotional well-being. Leading a healthy lifestyle is important in order to mitigate the symptoms of an emotional hangover. A healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet, physical exercise and staying perfectly hydrated.
Limit emotional overload
After an emotional hangover, it is normal for the nervous system to be especially sensitive. That is why it is important to limit as much as possible, exposure to intense stimuli and thus reduce sensory overload. All of this is achieved by practicing certain relaxation exercises such as yoga or spending time in quiet and relaxing environments.
Ask a professional for help
In some cases, in order to overcome the emotional hangover, it may be necessary the help of a good professional. Psychotherapy can be a good solution and in certain cases it may even be necessary to take medication in order to overcome episodes of stress and anxiety.
In short, when it comes to combating an emotional hangover, it is necessary to practice self-care, maintain some social support and ask for help from a professional. You have to know how to accept emotions, practice self-compassion and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Emotional recovery takes some time to take place, but with the right strategies, It is possible to achieve the long-awaited emotional well-being.