Cinco de Mayo + Margaritas = A Party for Your Tastebuds… but Maybe Not Your Brain 🧠🍹
Cinco de Mayo is all about celebration—music, culture, and let’s be real… margaritas. But while you’re toasting with that limey goodness, it’s worth knowing what’s happening inside your head—and how to bounce back the day after. Let’s break it down, science + real talk style:
Tonight, I will be celebrating at home with my sister with some Mexican food and margaritas and non-alcoholic margaritas. it’s no secret to anyone that knows me, i love margaritas! But, I need moderation. I will have 1 festive, happy margarita and then follow up with water and a non-alcoholic option. A mocktail or a coors Edge. I will slowly sip on my Marg, instead of sucking it down fast just to see how many i can drink without passing out. I will enjoy the flavor and savor the sipping. i’ll make sure I fill my belly with food and not just alcohol.
why do I act this way when i drink?
It slows everything down.
Alcohol is a depressant. It literally slows down brain function—starting with impulse control (hello, questionable texts), then emotional regulation, decision-making, and motor control.
That’s why you might feel fun and fearless at first, then weepy or angry a few drinks later.
Dopamine gets a boost—temporarily.
Alcohol increases dopamine, your brain’s “feel-good” chemical… at first.
But the more you drink, the more your brain compensates by lowering dopamine and other feel-good signals later—leading to that dreaded emotional crash the next day.
It disrupts your sleep.
You might pass out fast, but you’re not getting real rest.
REM sleep (dream sleep, memory consolidation) gets disrupted, making you groggy and mentally foggy the next day.
😩 The Hangover & Mental Health
Enter: The Boozy Blues.
The next-day emotional dip isn’t in your head—well, technically, it is, but it’s real: – Ever wonder why you cry more when you’re drinking or more angry or anxious
Dehydration = cranky brain. Your brain shrinks a bit when dehydrated, putting pressure on nerves. Cue the headache and irritability.
Blood sugar drops, leading to fatigue, shakiness, and mood swings.
GABA & glutamate imbalance can lead to anxiety (aka “hangxiety”), restlessness, and even depression-like symptoms.
If you’re already navigating anxiety, ADHD, depression, or trauma-related stress, alcohol can amplify those symptoms temporarily.
💧The Comeback: How to Reboot the Next Day
Here’s your emotional first-aid kit for the day after drinking:
Hydrate like your life depends on it.
Aim for electrolyte-rich water (like coconut water or Pedialyte).
Add sea salt and lemon to regular water if you’re DIY-ing it.
Fuel your brain.
Eat a complex carb + protein breakfast: Think eggs & toast, oatmeal with almonds, or a smoothie with banana and protein powder.
Avoid greasy food—it feels comforting, but it can worsen inflammation.
Get sunlight & movement.
A 15-minute walk in natural light can reset your circadian rhythm, boost mood, and reduce anxiety.
Regulate your nervous system.
Try breathwork, a warm shower, or a guided meditation to calm post-party jitters.
Support your dopamine.
Listen to your favorite upbeat playlist 🎶
Connect with someone you love 💜
Do something small and rewarding ✅ (check a box = tiny dopamine hit)
💧 The Truth About Hydration & Mental Health
Water isn’t just for your body—it’s therapy for your brain.
We hear it all the time: “Drink more water!” But this isn’t just about glowing skin or flushing toxins. Dehydration directly affects your mental health, and most people don’t even realize how much.
Let’s break it down:
🔬 What Happens to Your Brain When You’re Dehydrated
Your brain physically shrinks.
Yes, really. When you’re low on water, your brain literally contracts, triggering pain receptors = headaches, brain fog, and irritability.
Neurotransmitters get out of whack.
Dehydration messes with the balance of chemicals like dopamine and serotonin—the very same ones that control mood, motivation, and emotional regulation.
Even mild dehydration (just 1–3% loss of body water) can cause:
Anxiety spikes 😰
Depressive symptoms 😞
Decreased focus 🧠
Memory issues 🧩
Mood swings 🌪️
Your nervous system goes on alert.
Being dehydrated is a stressor. Your body may go into fight-or-flight mode, increasing cortisol levels and leading to irritability, restlessness, and even panic.
🧠💧 Hydration = Mental Health First Aid
Here’s what proper hydration can do for your mind:
✅ Stabilizes mood
✅ Supports cognitive function
✅ Reduces mental fatigue
✅ Improves emotional resilience
✅ Helps regulate sleep and wake cycles
✅ Promotes calm in your nervous system
💦 Simple Ways to Hydrate with Intention
Start your day with water before coffee or sugar.
Add a pinch of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon to boost absorption (especially after drinking alcohol).
Sip throughout the day, not just when you’re thirsty.
Eat hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon, and oranges.
Use electrolyte packets when recovering from alcohol, heat, or intense stress.
🗣️ Real Talk:
If you’re feeling anxious, foggy, down, or just off—ask yourself if you’ve had enough water. Sometimes what feels like a mental health dip is actually just dehydration in disguise.