It doesn't matter what type of party it is or who was there, a hangover can be a killjoy. Of course, says Julie Daniluk, RHN, in her article "Feed that Hangover" featured in Viva magazine, "the easiest way to avoid a hangover is to abstain from consuming too much alcohol." But if you do end up clinking your glasses all night, here are some ways to relieve your hangover:
Drink Liquids ASAP
According to Reader's Digest's 1,801 Home Remedies: Trustworthy Treatments for Everyday Health Problems, drink liquids as soon as you wake up. Relieve dehydration by drinking about two 250-mL glasses of water. Juice is also suitable as it contains sugar fructose, which "speeds the metabolism of alcohol," says Reader's Digest. So consider drinking a glass of orange, tomato or grapefruit juice.
What about coffee? Maybe think about drinking two cups of coffee for a hangover. "Heavy drinking causes the blood vessels to relax in your head and dilate, which causes the headache," says Daniluk. "The caffeine in a cup of coffee eases the headache by constricting the blood vessels."
Another morning drink you can mix and stir is a banana shake. Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, which are nutrients lost during an evening of heavy drinking. Add some honey into the shake too, as it's rich in fructose and also helps build up depleted blood sugar levels.
Foods to Eat
Reach for these nutritious and delicious foods that are known to relieve your hangover or even absorb alcohol:
- Almonds: Snack on these during your party to slow down the absorption of alcohol.
- Chicken Soup: Helps replace any salt or potassium that you might've lost during your drinking bout.
Drinking Tips
So you've decided to indulge in more than a little bit of drinking. That's okay, but consider taking measures to avoid a hangover. For example, drink your glass of alcohol at a slow pace. According to Reader's Digest, "your body burns alcohol at a pace of roughly 30 milliliters (one ounce) an hour."
If you're leaning towards some hard liquor, have vodka instead of rum, cognac or bourbon. Clear alcohol, explains Reader's Digest, doesn't have congeners, which are compounds that impact nausea and headaches. This also goes for wine - drink white wine instead of red.
Wrap up
Overall, always take care of yourself during and after a night of fun drinking. A hangover should only last for at least 24 hours - so if you are still feeling sick, speak to your doctor. Cheers!
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