How To Get Over A Hangover

It is never a good idea to push your limits when it comes to alcohol. I have done it a couple of times and the next day I literally felt like something the cat dragged in. There are some simple ways to prevent a hangover that may help you avoid the pain that I experienced.

1. Never go drinking on an empty stomach – Eating a full meal before or snacking during and after your drinking session will give your liver something other than alcohol to process and your body vitamins and minerals to help counteract the effects of a hangover.

2. Drink water during and after alcohol consumption – This will help keep you hydrated since drinking such high amounts of alcohol causes the body to become dehydrated which is the root of many of the symptoms of a hangover such as headaches and stomach pains.

3. Know your limits! This suggestion may be the most important. When you have reached your limits, stop drinking alcohol. Switch to water, juice or some other non-alcoholic beverage.

   

   Photo by Anna Kay

Remedies (for the morning after)

1. Rehydrate – Drinking water at room temperature will help cleanse the liver of the damaging alcohol. Adding lemon to the water will also add vitamin C, an essential nutrient in fighting hangovers. Drinking juice provides vitamins and minerals to your body to support the work of the liver as it processes the alcohol. Additionally, drinking flat ginger ale will soothe the stomach.

2. Sleep – If possible, sleep in the next day to give your body the rest it needs to recover from the symptoms.

3. Avoid caffeine – Caffeine will continue the dehydration process that alcohol started the night before.

4. Eat toast or crackers – Since your liver can’t use old carbohydrates to rebuild your blood sugar levels, the toast and crackers help bring your blood sugar levels back up.

5. Exercise – Some persons believe that exercise will help you sweat the toxins out. The endorphins will also help boost your mood and maybe help ease your guilt of drinking so heavily the night before. Not to mention you will be burning some of those empty calories in the alcohol you consumed.

Prevention is always better than cure but in case you do have a hangover, I hope these suggestions help ease your discomfort. If you have more suggestions, share them with us in the comments below.