• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Emotional Hangovers: Definition, Causes, & How to Cope

Published: January 13, 2023 Updated: January 25, 2023
Published: 01/13/2023 Updated: 01/25/2023
Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS
Written by:

Kaytee Gillis

LCSW-BACS
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • What Is an Emotional Hangover?Emotional Hangover
  • What Causes Emotional Hangovers?Possible Causes
  • Tips for Curing an Emotional HangoverHow to Cure One
  • When to Seek Professional HelpWhen to Seek Help
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Emotional Hangovers InfographicsInfographics
Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS
Written by:

Kaytee Gillis

LCSW-BACS
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP

Similar to an alcohol hangover, an emotional hangover refers to when you wake up the next morning feeling physically and emotionally drained. However, an emotional hangover occurs after a stressful or overwhelming experience, such as a breakup or social event. While these can feel debilitating, there are healthy ways to cope with one and work towards a speedy recovery.

Therapy can help you overcome an emotional hangover. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is an Emotional Hangover?

An emotional hangover is the feeling of being drained after leaving an emotionally taxing environment or event. Some people may also experience one after providing emotional support to others for an extended period of time.

Research suggests that particularly emotional events impact a person’s memory, and that symptoms of emotional hangovers can mimic those of depression and anxiety.1 Symptoms typically last a day or so, but may persist for a week or more. The effects of emotional hangovers are often more severe for individuals who are highly sensitive, introverted, or struggling with a social anxiety disorder.

Common symptoms of an emotional hangover include:

  • Muscle tension
  • Headaches or other physical ailments
  • Feelings of guilt or remorse
  • Sadness
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Feeling drained or burned out

What Causes Emotional Hangovers?

An emotional hangover is usually caused by experiencing a significant emotional event such as a breakup, wedding, or an otherwise traumatic occurrence. However, it’s important to note that an emotional hangover can occur after either a negative or positive happening–any event that is emotionally taxing for an individual can result in an emotional hangover.

An emotional hangover may be caused by:

  • Your wedding: Even if it is exciting and something you’ve planned years for, the amount of emotional and social involvement required during your wedding can leave you feeling drained the next day.
  • Receiving bad medical news: Hearing bad news about your or a loved one’s health can be overwhelming and scary, sometimes resulting in an emotional hangover.
  • Experiencing an accident: An accident–such as a fire, car wreck, or injury–is overwhelming, stressful, and oftentimes traumatic. Emotions run high and when they pass, you may be left feeling entirely empty.
  • Childbirth or the adoption of a child: Even the new arrival of a child into your family can be emotionally overwhelming. Your life has now dramatically changed and this can be daunting.
  • Divorce: The ending of a relationship brings with it many feelings, including grief, sadness, and even anger. No matter who initiated the divorce, it can be traumatic and leave you with an emotional hangover in the aftermath.
  • Death of a loved one: Experiencing a loss can result in an emotional hangover due to the influx of poignant and sometimes debilitating emotions associated with it.
  • Getting fired or laid off from a job: The loss of a job, especially when unexpected, can lead to feelings of shock, anger, and grief. Dealing with these emotions can be draining.

Popular Choices For Online Therapy 

BetterHelp  – Best For Those “On A Budget”


Online-Therapy.com – Best For Multiple Sessions Per Week

According to 14 Best Therapy Services (updated on 1/16/2023), Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp and Online-Therapy.

7 Tips for Curing an Emotional Hangover

In a moment, it may seem impossible to cure an emotional hangover. However, there are many ways you can work to ease your symptoms and find relief. There are numerous benefits of self-care, and practicing this can help you feel more balanced, relaxed, and less-stressed.

Here’s are seven tips for curing an emotional hangover:

1. Get Active

Research shows that engaging in regular exercise can help an individual better respond to and manage stress, as well as build emotional resilience.2
There are many mental health benefits of exercise, and even a quick 10-minute walk or some stretching may decrease the overwhelm of emotions you are experiencing.

2. Meditate

Quiet and self-reflective activities such as meditation can be beneficial when dealing with an emotional hangover. Meditation can be used to reduce both psychological and physical stress.3 The good news is that you do not have to follow any specific meditation guidelines–just a few moments of self-reflection and body-mind awareness can help you deal with emotional overload.

3. Try Journaling

Just like meditation, there are numerous benefits of journaling for one’s mental health. Releasing negative thoughts onto paper helps to alleviate certain symptoms of an emotional hangover, as it allows you to process the aftermath of highly-emotional and taxing events. Any writing instrument or method can work–if you do not have any handy, a journaling app can help you get started while also making the process fun and productive.

4. Eat a Good Meal

After a particularly stressful event, it can be tempting to fill your body with junk food or comforting unhealthy snacks. But, in times like these, it’s important to eat a healthy, nutritious meal with plenty of water to combat dehydration. Try to fill your plate with nutritious food that will fuel and recharge your body.

5. Seek support

Talking to a friend or loved one can be beneficial in overcoming an emotional hangover. When recovering from an emotional experience, it can be difficult to set boundaries with others, and handle any guilt that may come from doing so. Because of this, seeking guidance or support from another person can help you combat any lingering feelings of self-doubt.

6. Spend Time With Yourself

If you are naturally introverted, an emotional hangover can be almost debilitating. During this time, it is important to recharge your emotional battery and take time to enjoy solo activities. Taking a quiet hike, spending time reading at a coffee shop, or going for a walk can help replenish your energy.

7. Take Time to Rest & Relax

The importance of rest when combating an emotional hangover should never be discounted. It is essential to take time to replenish both your body and mind after an emotional event. Curl up with a book, watch a movie, or spend time in a hot bath–whatever makes you feel comfortable and rejuvenated!

When to Seek Professional Help

If you are struggling to cope with emotional burnout or are dealing with associated trauma from emotional situations, there are many benefits of therapy. Therapists offer you a safe place to address your negative thoughts, prioritize self-care, and improve self-esteem. You can start your search for the right therapist with an online therapist directory.

Final Thoughts

Emotional hangovers exist on a spectrum. Many will resolve on their own with time and self-care. However, sometimes people need additional support when dealing with the emotional aftermath of a chaotic or traumatic event. If this is you, please know that it is okay to seek support, and that you have the right to personal happiness and emotional safety.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists, who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Talkiatry Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Relationship Help

Online-Therapy With a couples counselor, you can work on developing better communication, building trust, and improving intimacy. Online-Therapy.com provides a weekly live video session and unlimited text messaging. Get Started

Choosing Therapy  Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty,  experience, insurance or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Online-Therapy.com, and Talkiatry.

For Further Reading

  • 21 Best Meditation Books
  • 15 Books for Introverts
  • Highly Sensitive People Support
  • 14 Best Books for Social Anxiety

Emotional Hangovers Infographics

What Is an Emotional Hangover?   What Causes Emotional Hangovers?   Tips for Curing an Emotional Hangover

4 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Tambini, A., et al. (2016). Emotional brain states carry over and enhance future memory formation. Nature Neuroscience, 20(2), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.4468

  • Childs, E., & de Wit, H. (2014). Regular exercise is associated with emotional resilience to acute stress in healthy adults. Frontiers in physiology, 5, 161. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2014.00161

  • Goyal, M., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine, 174(3), 357–368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13018

  • NYU. (2016). Is There Such a Thing as an Emotional Hangover? NYU Researchers Find that There is. Retrieved from https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2016/december/is-there-such-a-thing-as-an-emotional-hangover–nyu-researchers-.html.

Recent Articles

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms, Signs, & Treatments
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms, Signs, & Treatments
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition defined by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). People...
';
Paranoia: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
Paranoia: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
Paranoia refers to intense fears and discomfort about one’s sense of safety in the world. When someone has symptoms...
';
Hallucinations vs Delusions: Differences & Treatments
Hallucinations Vs. Delusions: Differences & Treatments
Hallucinations relate to disturbances in sensory experiences, while delusions affect a person’s innate beliefs and mental constructs. These may...
';
Depression Symptoms, Signs, & What to Watch For
Depression Symptoms, Signs, & What to Watch For
Depression symptoms can include sadness, fatigue, and poor self-esteem, but signs of depression can be more complicated because the...
';
Depression: Types, Symptoms, & Treatments
Depression: Types, Symptoms, & Treatments
Depression is a mood disorder that brings about sadness and can influence our energy, irritability, and overall well-being. There...
';
Binge Eating Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments
Binge Eating Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments
Binge eating disorder is characterized by excessive food intake compared to what another person would normally eat along with...
';
Kaytee Gillis, LCSW-BACS
Written by:

Kaytee Gillis

LCSW-BACS
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • What Is an Emotional Hangover?Emotional Hangover
  • What Causes Emotional Hangovers?Possible Causes
  • Tips for Curing an Emotional HangoverHow to Cure One
  • When to Seek Professional HelpWhen to Seek Help
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Emotional Hangovers InfographicsInfographics
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept