Dizzy head person. Hangover headache. Migraine icon isolated on white background
The weekend was full of fun and energy, and noise and distraction.
It was great. I loved spending time with friends and doing things I enjoy.
And yet today, I feel exhausted and overwhelmed. I’m looking at the calendar and my to-do list, and I just want to pull the covers over my head and hide.
I’m in the middle of an introvert hangover.
An introvert hangover happens when an introvert doesn’t get enough time alone to recharge. That can make us feel frazzled, tired, and unable to cope. It’s a form of physical and emotional burnout.
And it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks to recover, depending on the cause. A day of back-to-back meetings might be compensated for by an evening of journaling and quiet music. A family wedding over a long holiday weekend might mean a week or more of solitude and lots of naps in order to recover.
I try to schedule regular alone time, but sometimes an introvert hangover happens. It’s just life.
So what to do?
First, recognize that this is a real thing. You feel like you’ve been through the wringer because you have. And you need self-care.
Then, look at your calendar and find times you can work in some rest/recharge time. You probably won’t be able to get all your energy back in one go. So find little moments. Taking three to five deep breaths will help. A five-minute walk outside will help.
Don’t be afraid to cancel social plans. Your friends will understand. And your introverted friends will probably be delighted. (If you know, you know.)
Rinse and repeat, and notice how you feel.
When I put an event on my calendar, I also block out time around it – especially after it – for rest and recovery.
As leaders, too, it’s critical to know how to prevent and treat introvert hangovers. We have to be able to be present for our teams.
I’d like to hear from you. How to you prevent and treat your introvert hangovers? Drop a note in the comments.