The Hormone Hangover: Why You Crash After Big Life Events

There’s the wedding, the graduation, the new job, the move.

There’s the build-up, the prep, the anticipation.
The adrenaline, the high, the rush of “I did it.”

And then… there’s the crash.

You might feel foggy. Wiped. Emotionally raw. Or just weirdly flat.
You’re not “depressed,” exactly. You’re just… off.
And you can’t explain why.

Welcome to the hormone hangover.

What is a hormone hangover?
After a major life event—especially one that’s emotionally charged—your body goes through a hormonal recalibration. You may have been running on elevated cortisol and adrenaline for weeks or months. You may have suppressed normal needs, ignored rest, or functioned on overdrive just to make it all happen.

When it’s over, your body finally exhales. And with that exhale comes a flood of adjustment: drops in stress hormones, changes in neurotransmitters, and shifts in how your body processes energy, mood, and emotion.

It’s not in your head. It’s in your hormones.

 Why this matters
A hormone hangover can show up as physical fatigue, emotional numbness, sadness, irritability, sleep changes, appetite swings, or even feeling “blah” after something that was supposed to be joyful.

But here’s what most women don’t realize: you can prepare for the crash before it happens.

Because the crash doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or “not handling it well.” It just means your body is trying to find its baseline again.Six ways to soften the hormone hangover

1. Normalize the dip.
Don’t shame yourself for not being on a high. Big events often come with big energy output—and your body is allowed to recalibrate.

2. Add back structure.
After a disruptive event (even a positive one), your nervous system craves predictability. Reintroduce consistent meals, movement, and sleep rhythms.

3. Don’t over-schedule the recovery.
Avoid filling the post-event space with more tasks. Let the quiet be quiet.

4. Get outside perspective.
A therapist, friend, or mentor can help you name the emotional residue left behind—especially if the event wasn’t all positive.

5. Balance your blood sugar.
The more stable your energy, the more stable your mood. Focus on protein, fiber, and fat in your meals. This helps your body come down gently.

6. Reconnect with your “why.”
The event passed. The identity shift is still happening. Journaling, meditating, or reflecting on what the transition meant to you helps you reintegrate, not just react.

You don’t have to pretend to be fine. You don’t have to rush the recovery.

Your body’s doing its best to come back to center. And Rae’s here to make that return a little gentler.