How to Ease Your Healing Hangover: Support Tips for After Your Somatic Therapy Session

Somatic therapy can be incredibly powerful—helping you release deep-held tensions, process emotions, and reconnect with your body. But sometimes, after a session, you might feel a bit drained, emotionally raw, or physically sensitive. This is often referred to as a “healing hangover,” and it’s a sign that your body and mind are integrating new experiences. Just like a hangover from overindulgence, it’s a natural part of the healing process, signaling that change is underway.

Understanding this phase can help you approach it with kindness and patience. The good news is, there are many supportive steps you can take to ease these symptoms and support your ongoing journey of healing.

What Is a Healing Hangover?

Research into somatic and trauma therapies shows that releasing stored tension, emotions, and trauma can activate your nervous system (Levine, 2010). This reactivation may produce feelings of fatigue, vulnerability, or physical discomfort. It’s your body and mind working through a reset, often accompanied by physical sensations like headaches, muscle soreness, or emotional fluctuations.

Similarly, the post-therapy period might involve heightened awareness of sensations or feelings that were previously subdued. Recognizing these as normal and temporary can help reduce any anxiety or frustration during this phase.

Practical Strategies to Support Your Recovery

1. Hydrate Mindfully
Water is essential for nervous system health. Post-session dehydration can sometimes exacerbate feelings of fatigue or headache. Drinking plenty of fluids helps facilitate the removal of toxins released during therapy, supporting your body's natural detox process (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Adding a few drops of citrus (or any juice), and a pinch of salt to a cup or two of water creates a natural and inexpensive electrolyte drink. This means your water is absorbed more easily so a smaller volume of liquid is more effective in hydrating the body. 

2. Prioritise Rest and Gentle Movement
Give yourself permission to rest or nap if needed. Quiet activities like gentle walking, stretching, or restorative yoga can help your nervous system settle. Movement helps to consolidate the release and reduce physical tension (Field, 2010).

3. Nourish Your Body with Wholefoods
Eat nutrient-dense foods—fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats—to stabilise your energy and mood. Avoid processed or overly sugary foods as these can cause fluctuations in blood sugar and affect your emotional state (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2019).

4. Engage in Grounding and Mindfulness Practices
Deep breathing exercises, body scans, or mindfulness meditation can help anchor you in the present, calming the nervous system and easing overwhelm (Benson & Klipper, 2010). Using grounding objects such as stones, crystals, or textured fabrics can also provide comfort and stability.

5. Journal or Express Creatively
Writing about your experience, feelings, or insights gained during therapy can promote emotional processing and integration. Creative activities like drawing or music can also serve as outlets for processing activation or vulnerability (Pennebaker & Beall, 1986).

6. Reduce External Stimuli and Overload
In the hours or days following your session, limit exposure to noise, screens, or stressful situations when possible. Creating a calm, quiet environment allows your nervous system to reset naturally (Porges, 2011).

7. Practice Gentle Self-Soothing Techniques
Warm baths, soothing scents like lavender, or self-massage can promote relaxation. Comforting rituals signal safety and help your body lower stress hormones, supporting healing (Miller et al., 2013).

8. Maintain Connection and Support
If you’re feeling emotionally vulnerable, consider reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or your therapist. Sharing your experience can normalise sensations and feelings, reducing loneliness or anxiety (Herman, 1992).

When to Seek Additional Support

Most healing hangovers will resolve within a day or two. However, if symptoms persist or intensify—such as severe pain, overwhelming emotions, or physical symptoms—you should consult your healthcare provider or therapist to ensure your recovery remains safe and supported.

Embrace Your Healing Journey

Remember, healing isn’t always linear. The healing hangover signifies that your body is processing change—sometimes even more intensely than we expect. Be gentle with yourself, honour your process, and celebrate each small step forward.

You’re doing important work. Trust that each experience, even the challenging ones, is a vital part of your growth and transformation.

Get Support

If the sensations are deeply uncomfortable and you need some help shifting the emotional weight of it, you can book an emergency appointment with us at AT Somatics.