Has this ever happened to you? You share something close and personal with a friend or family member, and whether you’re met with compassion or not, you find yourself feeling an overwhelming sense of unease, anxiety, or self-doubt. Well, if this sounds familiar, then you have just experienced what is referred to as a “vulnerability hangover.”

Coined by Brené Brown, the term “vulnerability hangover” describes the feelings of anxiety, regret, or overwhelm that can follow after sharing raw, unfiltered emotions or revealing intimate details about one’s life story.

People typically experience a vulnerability hangover for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to) the following:

• being taught or told that vulnerability is a sign of weakness

• being met with judgment or dismissal when previously sharing something vulnerable

• fear of being judged by others

• the sheer emotional energy it can take to share something vulnerable (similar to feeling exhausted after physical exercise)

• a tendency to overthink or over-analyze situations and conversations

Being vulnerable can be challenging and uncomfortable, especially when followed by a vulnerability hangover. So why then be vulnerable at all?

Well, because being vulnerable not only shows our friends and family a willingness to be open and honest, but also encourages and promotes accountability, self-awareness, mutual trust, and deeper emotional connections. From a biblical perspective, vulnerability also allows us to engage in a deeper relationship with God and fellow believers. In fact, Scripture invites and exhorts us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and be accountable to fellow believers in order that we may experience healing (James 5:16).

Without a doubt, vulnerability takes courage and is hard work. Experiencing a vulnerability hangover on top of that can leave us feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. But similar to working a physical muscle, practicing vulnerability can get easier over time. To help you in this, the infographic below lists a few practical ways to manage and cope with a vulnerability hangover.

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