HOW TO CURE A COURAGE HANGOVER

You've probably been there: you try something new, you put yourself out there, you step out of your comfort zone (voluntarily), and the next day (or hour), you feel like you've been hit with a Mack truck. 

You're exhausted, you're headache-y, and you feel like you've generally been drinking tequila all night. 

Believe it or not, this is a good thing. 

This is what I like to call a Courage Hangover, or, what most other people would call "growth". 

However, as entrepreneurs, it can often come at inopportune times, because slowing down can be incredibly difficult when all you want to do is speed up. And, as many of you may know, doing anything with a hangover can feel like an uphill battle. 

After having been through many Courage Hangovers myself, I've found a way to manage them with ease, grace and patience, because, after all, whether we know it or not, our growth will come at some point. We might as well allow it when it does.

How to Cure a Courage Hangover:

1. LET IT HAPPEN: This means stop beating yourself up for not feeling good. This means stop thinking something is "wrong with you". This means don't try to chug 100 coffees trying to make the headache go away. Trust in the process of growth, and let the growth happen. Don't mask it, don't demean it, don't resent it. It is there for your higher good.

2. TAKE A BREAK: Every time I have a Courage Hangover, I often take a break from social media and reconnect with myself and my surroundings. This takes the pressure off of having to be "on" which can immediately shut down the natural growth process our souls are going through. Take some time off - whether an hour or a day - from pushing to get anywhere. Ease into this. 

3. SELF-CARE: Take a walk, take a bath, go out for lunch, watch OITNB on Netflix, snuggle with your puppy, take a midday nap, go to a yoga class, and so on. You know what self-care means to you. Take care of yourself. This is some serious deep transformation you're going through.

4. EAT VIBRANT FOODS: Eat well. Don't eat foods that are going to trigger your brain for negativity and low-vibes (processed foods, etc). Keep your growth capacity open by staying high vibe and nourishing your body. 

5. CONNECT OR RETREAT: If you thrive on connection with others, connect. If you thrive on retreating and spending time alone, retreat. Do what's going to replenish you. Do what's going to get the biggest impact out of this growth momentum. Do what is going to make you feel like the best version of you.

6. CELEBRATE! Whatever gave you this Courage Hangover was a BIG STEP! Don't forget to recognize that and give thanks. Don't forget to remind your head and heart that you're grateful, and that you're totally down for celebration. 

There you have it -- some of the best practices I've used to cure a Courage Hangover without ignoring the oncoming growth. 

Treat these with respect and gratitude, and you'll be back on your feet - transformed - before you know it. 

You got this.

xx, Alexandra