If you’ve ever heard of the introvert hangover and got confused, this article is here to explain what it is, how to avoid it, and what to do afterwards.
If you’re an introvert, there’s every possibility that you’ve experienced the introvert hangover more than once. But then you had no idea what it was.
So, what is an introvert hangover? This is basically the side effects introverts have from socializing too much. It can also be known as a social hangover.
Unlike regular hangovers, the main culprit here is socializing. It can either be called a social hangover or an introvert hangover.
Now let us take a look at what causes it, how to avoid it, and ways you can recover from it. This guide is here to explain it all to you.
The Introvert Hangover
Also known as the social hangover, the introvert hangover is that feeling of tiredness, mental and physical exhaustion that you get after you’ve socialized too much. You basically feel drained and wrung out.
This is a big deal for introverts who frequently need to recharge after any form of socializing. An introvert hangover can happen when you’ve exceeded this limit or have been overstimulated for an extended period.
This is common when you do not take out enough time to recharge. For introverts who get their energy from solitude and alone time, this makes a lot of sense.
Unlike extroverts who generally get their energy from social situations, introverts are quite the opposite. It may be rare or impossible to see an extrovert with a social hangover. But for an introvert, it can lead to extreme mental and physical exhaustion.
Introverts do not hate socializing; they just aren’t big fans of it. They prefer talking to people individually rather than as a group since it can be overwhelming. The more they ignore recharging, the worse the hangover gets.
What Causes an Introvert Hangover
The main culprit of a hangover is overstimulation. However, the level of overstimulation solely depends on the introvert. Some introverts can handle a weekend of social events. They’ll be exhausted, but they can handle it.
Some can handle just a day of social events. Others can handle hours and if they stay longer they are overstimulated.
It also depends on the type of social event. Weddings and book reading can have enough energy resources. Concerts and parties might not. The more the stimulation, the shorter they can keep up.
Another cause of an introvert hangover is lack of recharge time. If an introvert has enough time to recharge between events, the less chances of a social hangover.
Let’s say you’ve had a quiet day doing your activities, recharging in your own solitude, a party at night might not be so draining. You might attend and feel just fine in the morning.
Now let’s say you go clubbing on a workweek. Then, your hangover is certain. You’ve already had a hectic day at work. You’ve had no time to recharge and you’re in a social event.
This is most likely going to cause an overstimulation for the average introvert. This is a reason why it isn’t advised. For an introvert to socialize, they must have enough social battery.
So, what are the ways to avoid a social hangover?
Ways To Avoid an Introvert Hangover
Avoiding an introvert hangover is important. You do not want to spend your weekend unable to do your own activities. Here are a few helpful tips.
1. Know Thy Limit
Before you make a decision in anything, you have to know yourself. What better way to do that than understanding your limits? When you do, you are aware of things you can or cannot do.
Having a schedule is super important because you know what’s ahead and what came before. It’s easier to decline an invitation from an event this way.
If you have an event on Saturday, you know better than fixing another event on that same day. You can fix it for another day or the next weekend.
If it’s something out of your control, you have the power to decline and ask for a rain check. Never feel guilty for balancing your alone time and social time.
When you know thy self, it’s a start of something new and fewer social hangovers.
2. Do Not Disregard Your Alone/Recharge Time
The mistake a lot of introverts make is feeling they can handle a little more. When they obviously cannot. Your alone time is your elixir to better productivity and sanity. Do not disregard it.
This is when you recharge and do those things you’ve wanted to do all week. Those things that make you happy and relaxed. Without this recharge time, you’ll slowly become a shadow of yourself.
If you keep ignoring your recharge time, your energy level will drop and you’ll barely enjoy anything. This happens when you’re engaging in high stimulation activities. That’s calling for a hangover.
But the more recharge time you have, the more you keep your energy levels up. There’ll also be lesser chances of suffering a hangover. You’ll be at your peak and optimal level.
3. Balance to Minimize Overstimulation
There may be weeks when you’re busy all through but the events you have during the weekend are just as important. What do you do then? Simple. You plan.
If you have a party or a concert to attend, you might consider coming a little later than everyone else. This gives you a few hours where you can just sit and take a deep breath.
You might miss some part of the event. However, if you plan ahead, you won’t miss out on the main act. It’s a way of preserving your energy while being there at events.
One thing people don’t understand about being an introverted adult is compromising and planning. Your presence is usually needed, or you just want to be there of your own volition. But again, you’re stressed with adult duties all week.
It is important that you find a balance before you self-destruct.
Ways To Recover from An Introvert Hangover
Now you know what causes social hangovers and how you can avoid it. But what are the ways to recover from one?
1. Retreat to your solitude
It can be difficult to avoid social situations as an adult. So, you have to learn to work around it. Just as you plan everything else, put down your alone time in your schedule.
Social events can be unavoidable and can just spring up on us. So, expect them always, and plan your downtime. If you need to cancel an appointment, do that. You need the time for yourself.
If you must call in sick from work, do that as well. Yes, social hangover isn’t a clinical illness. However, it feels just like that to introverts.
Take out time to be alone, do your introverted hobbies and just relax. You need it and you should never feel guilty for doing things that make you happy.
2. Create An Environment That Suits You
The next thing you want to do is create an environment free from noise and other sensory stimulants that do not benefit you.
Create a lower stimulating environment that is calm, free from noise, and people. Here you can read, listen to soothing music, watch a movie, write and so much more.
The last thing you want to do is be overly stimulated. Eliminate all things that can trigger it. Just surround yourself with everything calm and soothing. It helps you heal faster.
3. Relax and Sleep
The importance of sleep cannot be overemphasized. You’re mentally and physically exhausted. What better way to recuperate than getting a shut eye?
Sleep helps you restore your energy level. If after a social event you find yourself being more sleepy than usual, you’re most likely experiencing a hangover.
Your work and friends can wait. Take a nap, even if it’s just a power nap. You’ll be glad you did. The cure for an introvert hangover is taking good care of yourself. The best way you know how.
Conclusion
Introvert hangovers completely varies from introvert to introvert. But these are very common and something all introverts should be aware of.
Sometimes all you need to do is pause and listen to your body. Ignoring yourself only makes it worse.
