The sun streams through the windows and falls across your face. As you open your eyes it hits you that you had a few too many drinks last night. Your mouth feels like cotton, your head is pounding, and that sunlight is way too bright. You have a hangover.
Is there any way to make this feeling go away? Read on for some ideas.
What Is a Hangover?
A hangover is a physical reaction caused by the overconsumption of alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the worse these symptoms can be. Lack of sleep makes a hangover worse as does the emotional baggage that can come along with it.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a hangover may include:
Fatigue and weaknessExcessive thirst and dry mouthHeadaches and muscle achesNausea, vomiting or stomach painPoor or decreased sleepIncreased sensitivity to light and soundDizziness or a sense of the room spinningShakinessDecreased ability to concentrateMood disturbances, such as depression, anxiety and irritabilityRapid heartbeat
Fatigue and weakness
Excessive thirst and dry mouth
Headaches and muscle aches
Nausea, vomiting or stomach pain
Poor or decreased sleep
Increased sensitivity to light and sound
Dizziness or a sense of the room spinning
Shakiness
Decreased ability to concentrate
Mood disturbances, such as depression, anxiety and irritability
Rapid heartbeat
Can You Prevent Hangovers?
The easiest way to prevent a hangover is obviously to avoid drinking alcohol, but if you are going to drink, do so in moderation (up to one drink a day for women, and up to two drinks a day for men). Always have food in your stomach before drinking alcohol, and stay fully hydrated by alternating alcoholic beverages with a full glass of water. Getting a full night’s sleep can help too.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Make a Hangover Go Away?
Other than time, there is nothing that will completely cure a hangover, but there are some home remedies that can help you feel better while you wait it out.
Fluids, Fluids, and More Fluids
Water: If you have a hangover, you are definitely dehydrated, so start by sipping as much water as you can tolerate right when you wake up.ElectrolyteDrink: Electrolytes help your body re-hydrate faster. The best natural electrolyte drink is coconut water which contains the same five electrolytes that are found in human blood. (Sports drinks usually only contain two.) Coconut water is also low in sugar and contains no artificial colors or sweeteners.Coffee: If you are a regular coffee drinker, a cup of joe might help soothe your headache. If you aren’t a regular coffee drinker, skip it.Tea: Your stomach lining has taken a pounding.Gingerorpepperminttea might help soothe pain and decrease nausea.Juice: The natural fruit sugars in a glass of juice can help break down the alcohol more quickly.
Water: If you have a hangover, you are definitely dehydrated, so start by sipping as much water as you can tolerate right when you wake up.
ElectrolyteDrink: Electrolytes help your body re-hydrate faster. The best natural electrolyte drink is coconut water which contains the same five electrolytes that are found in human blood. (Sports drinks usually only contain two.) Coconut water is also low in sugar and contains no artificial colors or sweeteners.
Coffee: If you are a regular coffee drinker, a cup of joe might help soothe your headache. If you aren’t a regular coffee drinker, skip it.
Tea: Your stomach lining has taken a pounding.Gingerorpepperminttea might help soothe pain and decrease nausea.
Juice: The natural fruit sugars in a glass of juice can help break down the alcohol more quickly.
The Best Foods to Eat
Eggs: Eggs contain a substance calledcysteinethat helps break down the toxins left behind by alcohol. Scrambled eggs are also well-tolerated by an irritated stomach.Soup: Broth is a great way to help rehydrate the body and replaceelectrolytes.ToastorCrackers: Especially if you’re feeling nauseous, these might help settle your stomach so you can eat more later.Smoothie: If you can tolerate it, a smoothie made with bananas and leafy greens will help you hydrate and detox.Oats: A warm bowl of oatmeal can settle your stomach while providing essential nutrients likeB vitamins,calcium,magnesiumandiron.Supplements: If you’re having trouble eating anything more than crackers, there are a few supplements that can help, likemagnesium,B vitaminsandchlorophyll
Eggs: Eggs contain a substance calledcysteinethat helps break down the toxins left behind by alcohol. Scrambled eggs are also well-tolerated by an irritated stomach.
Soup: Broth is a great way to help rehydrate the body and replaceelectrolytes.
ToastorCrackers: Especially if you’re feeling nauseous, these might help settle your stomach so you can eat more later.
Smoothie: If you can tolerate it, a smoothie made with bananas and leafy greens will help you hydrate and detox.
Oats: A warm bowl of oatmeal can settle your stomach while providing essential nutrients likeB vitamins,calcium,magnesiumandiron.
Supplements: If you’re having trouble eating anything more than crackers, there are a few supplements that can help, likemagnesium,B vitaminsandchlorophyll
Things to Avoid
Hair of the Dog: It’s a common myth, but drinking more of what gave you a hangover won’t help you get over it. It might make you feel better for the moment, but the hangover will still eventually happen when you stop drinking.Greasy Food: A giant burger is better suited forpreventinga hangover than for treating one. Stick to the bland and basic foods listed above for now.Acidic Food and Drinks: Remember, your stomach is ultra-sensitive right now, so stay away from anything acidic or sour that could make it feel worse such as orange juice, tomato juice or grapefruit.
Hair of the Dog: It’s a common myth, but drinking more of what gave you a hangover won’t help you get over it. It might make you feel better for the moment, but the hangover will still eventually happen when you stop drinking.
Greasy Food: A giant burger is better suited forpreventinga hangover than for treating one. Stick to the bland and basic foods listed above for now.
Acidic Food and Drinks: Remember, your stomach is ultra-sensitive right now, so stay away from anything acidic or sour that could make it feel worse such as orange juice, tomato juice or grapefruit.
Like I said before, time is the only thing that makes a hangover fully disappear. Depending on the severity, it can take anywhere from 8-24 hours. If you are able to rest, rest. If you have obligations like work or school, hydrate throughout the day and eat as tolerated. If you’re able to fit some exercise in, that might rev up your metabolism to process the alcohol more quickly and help you feel better. Just make sure to have plenty of water on hand and don’t push yourself too hard.
There is no magic cure for a hangover, but I promise, it won’t last forever.
