When you’re out enjoying time with friends and having a few drinks, it can be very easy to misjudge your limits. Unfortunately, if you do, you’ll likely have a pretty heavy price to pay the following morning.
While you might not think there’s a lot that can be done for a hangover and that you simply need to ‘ride it out’, that’s far from the case. There’s plenty you can do to alleviate the symptoms, and in many cases, it can be remedied a lot quicker than you think.
In this short article, you’ll learn about six methods you can use to get back to feeling like your old self again!
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Drink Plenty of Water
A hangover is partly a problem of dehydration: alcohol is a diuretic, meaning that it increases urine production, leading to a classic dehydration headache.
It stands to reason, then, that one of the most important things to do the morning after is replace the fluids that you’ve lost.
Be very mindful of your water intake throughout the day, drinking regular glasses and keeping a water bottle nearby. You don’t want to overdo it, of course: just make sure it’s regular enough but not so much that you feel uncomfortable (as that will likely exacerbate your symptoms, especially if you have a stomach ache!).
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Take a Nap
While you should avoid sleeping for a considerable amount of time during the day (so that you don’t mess up your circadian rhythm), a 30-minute nap in the afternoon can do wonders. Your body repairs itself when you’re asleep, remember, so this can give you the boost in recovery you need.
If you can’t block out the daylight, get yourself an eyemask. These can usually be found for cheap at your local chemist, and you might also want to grab some earplugs if you’re sensitive to sound.
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Remember to Eat
Unless you have a great deal of nausea with your hangover, you should always try to eat something within an hour or so of waking up. After your body has had a hard time processing the toxic effects of alcohol, it will be craving high-quality, nutrient-dense food.
A breakfast with a balanced macronutrient and micronutrient profile is best: think scrambled egg on toast with a small bowl of fruit or a banana on the side.
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Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
Sometimes, if a hangover is really bad, you just need something to get rid of the pain as quickly as possible, and that’s where over-the-counter pain relief comes in.
Ibuprofen is usually considered the best bet, as it works to bring down the inflammation that makes your body ache and gives you a headache. If your stomach feels upset, antacids are also a viable option to help settle it.
If you do go the medication route, just make sure that you’ve eaten before you take anything.
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Go for a Walk
While you certainly don’t want to be engaging in any vigorous exercise, a short walk can do a lot of good.
Spending twenty minutes to half an hour doing light exercise can help by increasing blood flow and therefore aiding in the body’s repair process, and there’s a lot to be said for the psychological benefits of getting some fresh air.
If you live by the beach or near a wooded area, that’s even better; research shows that being around nature can significantly elevate your mood.
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Mobile IV Therapy
And finally, if you’re really struggling, there’s always the option of mobile IV therapy. Rather than having to continuously sip water, the mobile IV is designed to continuously deliver micronutrient-rich fluid directly into your bloodstream. This offers the fastest possible relief from hangover symptoms, and is particularly useful if you have an appointment or somewhere important you need to be.
A licensed professional with the drip is sent directly to your door to administer it safely, and in most cases, you’re feeling significantly better within half an hour.
Wrapping Up
Dealing with a hangover can be an extremely unpleasant experience, and unfortunately, they only seem to get worse as you get older.
The above methods will help get you back to normal functioning as quickly as possible, but fundamentally, you just need to give yourself time. There’s always a silver lining, too: hopefully, you remember how many drinks it took to get you in this position in the first place, and can better estimate what’s one drink too many next time you go out.
