Why You Might Be in a Bad Mood the Day After You Drink
Beyond a possible physical hangover, even one drink can have an impact on how you’re feeling the day after a night out.
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Getting back into the grind of the week is hard enough, but if your weekend festivities include drinking alcohol, it may not be doing your mood any favors. Beyond a possible physical hangover, alcohol can impact your mood more than you think. Here’s why – and some tips on how you can drink sensibly.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Mood?
Alcohol can have a significant impact on mood due to a number of factors. Devin Markle, PsyD, licensed professional counselor, explains, “Alcohol is a depressant. This does not mean that your mood becomes instantly depressed; rather it is referring to how your brain activity is slowed and impacted. Some people may experience an impact on reaction time, confusion or slower decision making even the next day, which may impact mood.”
There is also a direct effect on the chemical substances that regulate brain activity. “Alcohol does increase the amount of ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin during a night out,” explains Markel. “Although this initially is appealing, the aftereffects may lead to an imbalance in these chemicals. Many people report feelings of anxiety or feeling down the next morning.”
While cocktails may seem like a way to escape worries, the body and brain don’t see it that way. “Many people seek out alcohol to reduce anxiety. But this is a false perception,” Markel adds. And while that initial feeling of relief may occur, the backlash may not be worth it. “The next day the body will produce glutamate, which is an excitatory chemical, to fight the calming effects. This can wake you in the night causing feelings of restlessness and again impacting your mood the next day negatively with fatigue and stress.”
Not to mention, alcohol can cause dehydration and swings in blood sugar.
How Does Alcohol Affect Sleep?
We all know a bad night’s sleep won’t help your mood and it turns out that drinking late into the evening won’t help either. One misconception about alcohol is that it can help you get a better night’s sleep – but that’s not the case. Dr. Chris Mohr, PhD, RD, creator of 21 Days to Better Sleep, explains, “While alcohol may help knock you out, due to its sedative effects, this isn’t the same as falling asleep peacefully and getting deep, quality and restorative sleep. Once those drinks wear off you will wake up,” adds Mohr. “This typically occurs in the middle of the night when that high quality sleep is supposed to be in high gear.”
Every drop counts; even one glass of wine may have an impact. “One 2018 study found even small amounts of alcohol had a negative impact on sleep, with fewer than two drinks per night for men and one for women decreasing sleep quality by over nine percent,” says Mohr. “As the number of drinks went up to just two drinks for men and one drink for women, sleep quality decreased by 24 percent and with more than the same amount for men and women, they saw a 39 percent decrease in sleep quality.”
Bottom Line: If avoiding alcohol altogether doesn’t seem like the best fit for you, there are some steps you can take to try to keep your mood in check. “Abstaining from alcohol is your best bet,” says Markle. “Those who already have anxiety or depression should avoid alcohol as it may increase or intensify symptoms after just one drink.” If you do choose to drink (responsibly), make sure to hydrate and eat leading up to your alcohol consumption as lack of fluids or an empty stomach can only exacerbate the negative impact to your mood.
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