8 Ways to Deal With Post Party Anxiety

Waking up after a night of partying often comes with nausea and a headache. But along with that can come a post party anxiety, when you experience a sense of regret, anxiety, or even paranoia.

Being worried about what you said or did the night before when your memory is now a little foggy is a real fear for a lot of people. Did you call your ex? Did you post something offensive online? Did you share a secret that was totally inappropriate with your group of friends?

We all face some version of this after a wild night, but how can you have fun without that fear?

Being able to go out and enjoy yourself without this paralyzing feeling of fear the next morning is something we all want to achieve. But how can you do one without the other?

# Ask a friend to monitor your drinking

The best way to deal with hangxiety is to prevent it all together. But while you’re out having a good time, you may not be thinking about how you’ll be feeling tomorrow.

If you anticipate hangxiety, reach out to a trusted friend you are going out with. Ask them to watch how much you’ve been drinking. Then, cut you off before you do anything you may regret later on.

# Try something else to calm your pre-party nerves

Are you nervous you’ll run into your ex at tonight’s party? Or maybe you have a touch of social anxiety? Well, instead of grabbing a drink to calm those jitters, try something else.

Maybe have a chamomile tea or do some yoga before you head out. Even listen to a calming song on your phone before you get out of the car. Besides, looking to alcohol to give you a good time or calm your nerves is a good way to create an irreversible problem.

# Don’t drink more to calm the hangxiety

You have anxiety. So you drink to stop it. But then you wake up the next day with anxiety because you drank so much. It becomes a vicious cycle and can lead to a real drinking problem.

If you want to have one or two drinks while you’re out, no problem. Just know your limit. If you had five or six drinks last time you had post party anxiety, make sure to keep it under that number next time you go out on the town.

# Block certain apps from your phone before going out

If your post party anxiety is mostly related to what you may have texted, who you may have called, or what you may have posted, block certain apps before you go out.

There are a number of apps that help with this. Or you can turn your phone on airplane mode. Or set your social media apps to only work when on WiFi. You could even hand your phone off to a trusted friend if need be.

# Learn to have fun without drinking

This is hard for a lot of people. As someone that hasn’t had a sip of alcohol in over five years, I can tell you it is not only possible, but even better to have fun without alcohol. I know I sound like a grandma, but hear me out.

Having fun without drinking lets you enjoy the moment. It lets you have memories. It lets you be carefree without the fear of embarrassing yourself.

# Use regular hangover remedies

Hangxiety is not just anxiety. Usually, it also contains some aspect of a hangover. Curing the physical aspect is the first step. Before you deal with the fallout of a text to your crush or a blow out email to your boss, feel better.

Take a shower, drink plenty of water, make a smoothie, or down a raw egg and hot sauce mixture. Whatever works for you, do it. From there, focus on how to troubleshoot whatever you may or may not have done the night before.

# Meditate

This can be used before or after post part anxiety. Meditate before going out to get yourself in a healthy headspace. This way you can enjoy a beer or glass of wine without wanting more and more.

Or if it is too late for that, meditate upon rising so you can calmly face the incoming memories or lack thereof.

# Exercise

I know, I know. Exercise sucks. But it is proven that it perks you up. I am not saying you need to join a gym or go for a run. But even getting outside for some fresh air and a brisk walk with your AM coffee is a good way to deal.

It is amazing what being outside can do to clear your mind. Even if you do have something from last night to worry about this will help you deal with it with a lot more grace.