If you’re someone who enjoys an alcoholic beverage every once in awhile, you’ve probably also experienced one of those I’m never drinking again moments at least once in your life. As you get older, you have a better idea of your tolerance and what’s going to leave you fighting back waves of nausea and a throbbing headache the next morning, but that doesn’t mean you won’t sometimes over indulge. After all, some occasions like weddings and milestone birthdays deserve to be celebrated with a few too many tequila shots. If you’ve already gone past the point of drinking responsibly, don’t worry, the internet is full of hangover cures that could work wonders—or might be a complete waste of time. Either way, you’re no worse off than you were before.
Drink all the liquids
Since a hangover is caused in part by dehydration, it makes sense that drinking a ton of water both before you go to sleep and the next day should help you start to feel a normal human again. Some people swear by a Gatorade the morning after to replace all the electrolytes you lost to your night of partying. Another option for electrolytes is coconut water which could also help to settle an acidic, upset stomach. If you’re one of those people who can’t help but think coconut water tastes like the sweat you’d ring out of your gym socks, there are flavoured versions that are a little more palatable. Or you could just treat yourself to a Coca-Cola Slurpee because sometimes a blast of sugar is what you need to get over the mental hump of your hangover symptoms. Be sure to skip hair of the dog though, because despite what your dumbest college friend told you, having a shot of whiskey as soon as you wake up isn’t going to help.
Get your blood pumping
Running a 5K or heading to the gym to try to beat your squat record is probably the last thing you want to do after a night of drinking, and that’s probably for the best. But going for a walk and getting a little fresh air won’t kill you—it might actually boost your mood and make you feel productive. If you’re feeling even more energetic, a slow yoga class is another option. If you don’t want to risk going out in public, just throw on a YouTube yoga video and do some stretches and easy poses in your living room. The goal isn’t to burn calories, it’s just to get your heart pumping so your body can flush out the toxins causing your hangover that much faster.
Get plenty of sustenance
Okay, so “eat food” isn’t so much a cure as it is a necessity, but eating the right food is more important than you think. There’s nothing like a big, greasy breakfast the morning after a wild night but it turns out that if you’re feeling nauseous, a bunch of unhealthy food is likely to make your stomach feel worse. Instead, opt for light, non-greasy snacks like crackers, toast, or a boiled egg and some fruit. Your body is fighting to get back to normal so help it out by filling it with food it can actually use to give you more energy—not a bunch of junk that will just make you feel heavy and lethargic.
Sleep it off
Sleeping until you wake up feeling good is, of course, the most effective and preferred hangover cure out there. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to sleep the day away. Only you can decide if cancelling all your plans for the day if warranted. Sleeping through it is taking the easy way out, but if you’re in a position to take this option, just do it.
Pop an anti-inflammatory
All pain killers are not made equal. If a pounding headache is preventing you from getting the sleep you desperately need, take an Advil or ibuprofen. It will help your headache and reduce overall discomfort such as muscle or stomach aches. Avoid acetaminophens like Tylenol because they’re metabolized in the liver just like alcohol and it’s better to let your liver rest after the workout of you just gave it.
