We all love hitting the town for a night of cocktails and fun with our friends. But as much as we love a good night out, we have equally strong feelings about what happens the day after. Everyone dreads waking up to a pounding headache, waves of nausea, and no will to live. Since there is no miracle cure for a hangover (at least not yet), we have put together some tips and tricks that you can use to cope during your recovery. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to prevent and recover from a hangover.
1. Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is one of the major causes of a hangover. Proper hydration is key in not just to hangover relief but also in hangover prevention. If you know you will be drinking at night, try to start drinking water early in the day. You also want to ensure that you are alternating your alcoholic drinks with water. Drink more water before you head to bed that night and continue hydrating as soon as you wake up the next morning.
Another tip when it comes to hydration is to choose your drinks wisely. Drinks with zero water content are going to be the most dehydrating. Such things as wine, shots, or cocktails with no mixers like a martini are going to be the least hydrating. Instead, try something like a gin and tonic or a light beer.
2. Eat the Right Foods
There are two types of hungover people. There are the people who want to wake up and immediately dive into a greasy and deep-fried breakfast. And there are the people who are so nauseous that the mere thought of food could induce vomiting. Neither of these methods are going to be the best for hangover relief, although eating something when you wake up is better than nothing.
Having breakfast will help to maintain your blood sugar levels which are directly responsible for many of the negative symptoms we experience during a hangover. You also need to eat the morning after a night of heavy drinking to replace any vitamins and minerals that may have become depleted. This is why eating the right types of food is key. You need to eat foods that are rich in the vitamins that are commonly lost during alcohol consumption to best relieve hangover symptoms.
Carbs are the best for maintaining your blood sugar levels during a hangover. This will help you to feel less fatigued throughout the day. Try things like wholewheat toast, oatmeal, or fortified cereals. Eggs are also great due to the amino acids they contain. Amino acids help to clear the body of things like acetaldehyde, which is responsible for many of the most common hangover symptoms. You should also reach for foods that are high in potassium. Potassium is an electrolyte that becomes easily depleted when drinking. This can then cause muscle cramps, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Eat things like banana, spinach, or avocado for an extra hit of potassium. Also don’t be afraid to add a little salt to your meals. You will need to replenish your body’s sodium levels post drinking as well.
3. Supplements
There is some evidence that suggests that certain supplements or superfoods can help in hangover relief. Things like red ginseng, prickly pear, milk thistle, or B & C vitamins are all common in hangover relief pills and drinks. Try out a hangover drink with these ingredients the next time you head out for a night of cocktails. Most hangover drinks need to be taken before or during alcohol consumption so keep that in mind, but we have experienced success with these products. When taken properly, hangover symptoms are severely reduced and far more manageable then on the nights we didn’t take a hangover drink.
4. Sleep it Off
At the end of the day the best thing you can do to help shake the worst of hangovers is sleep. It is important to keep in mind that alcohol can cause disruptions to your sleep. There is a good chance that the more you drink, the worse the quality and duration of your sleep will be. And lack of sleep in itself can cause or worsen many of your hangover symptoms such as fatigue, headaches and irritability. Try to plan heavy drinking nights on days when you can sleep in. Even better if you can fit in a nap or two the next day. When all else fails, you’re going to have to just sleep it off.
Just Relax
Follow these tips and tricks to help ease some of the pain that comes the morning after a night out. And if all else fails then take some time to chill out in front of the TV, take a nap, or eat your favorite snacks. By the end of the day you should be feeling back to your normal self, so take it easy!
