Why do I feel more grounded and awake the day after experiencing intense stress, anxiety, and panic?

From the Guidelines

You feel more grounded and awake the day after experiencing intense stress, anxiety, and panic due to your body's natural recovery processes, which involve the rebound of your nervous system from a heightened state of arousal and the restoration of balance by your parasympathetic nervous system. This phenomenon is supported by the fact that your body releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline during periods of intense anxiety, activating your sympathetic nervous system's "fight-or-flight" response 1. Once the perceived threat passes, your parasympathetic nervous system becomes more active to restore balance, creating a sense of calm and mental clarity the next day.

Some key points to consider:

• The exhaustion following anxiety can lead to deeper sleep, which improves cognitive function and emotional regulation upon waking 1.
• Your brain may also experience a temporary increase in certain neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA after stress subsides, contributing to improved mood and groundedness.
• It's essential to develop healthy stress management techniques rather than relying on this cycle, as chronic stress can have negative long-term health effects, including increased risk of anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health issues 1.
• Screening for anxiety and depression is crucial, especially in individuals who have experienced intense stress, anxiety, and panic, as it can help identify underlying issues and prevent long-term health consequences 1.

In terms of management, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends routine screening for emotional distress and symptoms of anxiety from the point of diagnosis onward, using valid and reliable tools like the GAD-7 scale 1. Additionally, assessments should identify signs and symptoms of anxiety, severity of symptoms, possible stressors, and underlying problems/causes, and should be a shared responsibility of the clinical team 1.

From the Research

Feeling Grounded and Awake After Intense Stress, Anxiety, and Panic

The provided studies do not directly address why individuals may feel more grounded and awake the day after experiencing intense stress, anxiety, and panic. However, some insights can be gathered from the information on anxiety disorders and their treatment:

• Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, are characterized by symptoms such as worry, social and performance fears, unexpected and/or triggered panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, and avoidance behaviors 2.
• These disorders can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and functioning, and are often associated with physical symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness 2.
• Treatment options for anxiety disorders include pharmacotherapy, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), as well as psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 2, 3, 4.
• Some studies suggest that SSRIs, such as sertraline, can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, including worry and depressive symptoms 3, 4.
• CBT has also been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety, although the effect sizes may be smaller compared to pharmacotherapy 3.

Possible Explanations

Some possible explanations for feeling more grounded and awake after intense stress, anxiety, and panic include:

• The body's natural response to stress, which can include the release of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, may lead to increased alertness and energy after the initial stress response has passed.
• The experience of intense stress, anxiety, and panic may lead to a sense of relief or release after the event has passed, which can manifest as feeling more grounded and awake.
• Treatment options, such as pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy, may help individuals manage their anxiety symptoms and improve their overall sense of well-being, leading to feelings of being more grounded and awake.

Key Points

• Anxiety disorders are common and can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and functioning.
• Treatment options, such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
• The body's natural response to stress and the experience of intense stress, anxiety, and panic may contribute to feelings of being more grounded and awake after the event has passed.