How ‘Happiness Hangover’ Can Hit You After a Perfect Moment

The word “hangover” is always associated with the aftermath of a drunk night. The following morning one should face the unpleasant consequences of the alcohol. This is a common fact to us. But have you ever heard about “happiness hangover”? The word might sound unusual but it describes a much bigger process, however, let us delve into it in depth.

A “Happiness hangover” refers to the emotional hangover that follows the end of a long-anticipated event. For instance, when a party that you have been planning for a long time comes to an end, you feel some sort of feeling within yourself, which might be a sense of emptiness or sadness. It might be because the anticipated event doesn’t unfold your way or when the joy of the anticipated event dissipates.

Some examples of precursors to a happy hangover can be vacations, holidays, graduation, retirement, your wedding, having a baby, a preplanned party, a great weekend, a thrilling ride, a full day at the theme park, completion of a major project, and many more. All individuals are unique so we all have our things that will make us happy. Something that might bring elation to you will not affect another. This is a feeling of post-event emptiness that makes sense only to you. We all have encountered this feeling but we don’t often know how to name it. This is recognized as a “happiness hangover” by various professionals.

Read More: Hangxiety: Know the Psychological Reasons behind Hangover

Why Does it Happen?

So why does it happen? You have been completely focused on the task at hand, you plan the details spending all your time and energy anticipating the event. You are so immersed in it that you will do anything to make it a success. You have been looking forward to this day for a long time and suddenly it is over. With nothing to focus on right at the moment, some kinda eerily serene feeling lingers. The symptoms associated with a “happiness hangover” might include,

• Loss of purpose
• Feeling low or down
• The overwhelming sense of “now what?”
• You’ll feel alone even with people around 
• Feeling tired and has no energy to carry on with anything
• Preoccupation with thoughts like this could’ve done better or a nostalgic feeling that the moment ended.

Read More: 10 Characteristics of Adaptable and Happy People, According to Psychology

The Psychology Behind “Happiness Hangover”

1. Opponent process theory

In 1980, Richard Solomon, a psychologist, came up with the opponent process theory concept. The theory suggests when our body becomes physiologically excited, a simultaneous process activates to counteract that excitement. Biologically, Balance or (homeostasis) is everything. When happiness peaks, our body becomes too much activated. So, our nervous system produces a deactivating or depressing process to balance out the exciting process. Therefore, this could be one of the reasons why we experience a “happiness hangover”.

2. The theory in action

When a positive stimulus triggers a peak of happiness, the body is overly excited. However, when the stimulus is removed, a deactivating process takes over, trying to get the person back to the state of normalcy, by reducing the excitement. Sometimes, this process might go too far, leading to feelings of sadness or even depression rather than neutrality. This principle is true for the opposite process too. When there is a negative stimulus, our body counteracts it by producing happy hormones to help deactivate the overly activated body and restore balance.

Read More: The Neuroscience of Happiness

How to overcome “Happiness Hangover”?

Some tips for emotional recovery from “happiness hangover”:

1. Trust in God’s plans

For some people, trusting that everything happens according to a divine plan can be comforting. According to psychology, our mindset plays a crucial role in how we handle emotions. If something happened your way, then it is from God, and even if didn’t, it’s also a part of divine decree. Embracing this mindset will help you move on easily and navigate the aftermath more gracefully.

2. Be grateful

Gratitude is a powerful source of emotional healing. Nothing everyone gets the opportunity as we do, so appreciating the little things can help us lead a fulfilling life. Often, it is not until something is gone we realize its worth and how important it was to us. So, try to think about the moment’s worth right at the moment while you’re experiencing it and be grateful. Also, when it’s over be grateful that it happened, even if it wasn’t perfect.“Do not cry it’s over, smile because it happened.”  – Dr Seuss

3. Relive 

The moment might be over but the memories? It stays tattooed in your mind. So, relive it in your mind by thinking of how happy you were, those waves of laughter, the cold breeze you experienced, the beach if you’ve been there, the taste of the meal you had, all the little details. Daydream about it or talk about the event to the person who was there with you at the event. Sharing the experience will help you relive the moments without feeling alone.

4. Journal it down

Jot down your feelings as soon as you can. Do it at once when you get some free time on the same day. Because you are still high on emotions, jotting down everything you feel in your own words, will help you revisit the feeling when you read it again someday. Write every little detail about the day, so that you’ll never forget the nuances of the day. You can recover from a happy hangover by reading the stuff you wrote about the day.

5. Create a new focus

Your primary focus was the event at hand. Now that it’s over you may feel lost and not know what to do. To counter this, set a new goal or focus to keep your head busy. It’s not that you shouldn’t take a break and enjoy the sense of accomplishment. Do so but do not linger on it longer than needed. This can serve as a powerful antidote to a “happiness hangover”.

Read More: 10 Habits of Highly Focused Individuals, According to Psychology

Conclusion 

A happiness hangover is a common experience that can occur after a joyful event comes to an end. Psychologically, when we go through intense excitement or happiness, our mind and body often seek to restore balance, which can result in feelings of sadness or emptiness afterwards. By understanding this phenomenon, we can better manage those emotions. Focusing on new goals, practising gratitude, and reminiscing about positive experiences can help us move beyond the sadness and truly value joyful moments. Recognizing a happiness hangover allows us to maintain emotional balance and prepare for future adventures.

FAQs

1. What is a “Happiness Hangover”?

A “Happiness hangover” refers to the emotional hangover that follows the end of a long-anticipated event.

2. What happens in a “Happiness Hangover”?

Feeling low or down, feeling tired and having no energy to carry on with anything, preoccupied with thoughts like this could’ve done better, or a nostalgic feeling that the moment ended, you’ll feel alone even with people around, the overwhelming sense of “now what?” and a loss of purpose

3. What is the psychology behind “Happiness Hangover”?

The opponent process theory introduced by psychologist, Richard Solomon suggests that when our body becomes physiologically excited, a simultaneous process activates to counteract that excitement. Biologically, Balance or (homeostasis) is everything. When happiness peaks, our body becomes too much activated. So, our nervous system produces a deactivating or depressing process to balance out the exciting process. Therefore, this could be one of the reasons why we experience a “happiness hangover”.

4. How to overcome a “Happiness Hangover”?

You can overcome a happiness hangover by being grateful, jotting down your emotions, reliving the moments, sharing them with your loved ones, creating a new focus, and more.