Everyone has been there: waking up after a night of partying with your friends with a pounding headache, nausea, and a mouth that feels like drywall. That is a hangover, and it is an unpleasant side effect of the enjoyment and drinking you had the night before.
A hangover feels unbearable, but fortunately, there are a few ways that you can alleviate its nasty side effects and speed up your recovery. Today, we will discuss the best hangover cures that are sure to get you back on your feet and fast!
What is the Dreaded Hangover?
A hangover is an unpleasant, disorienting physical and mental state that follows a night of drinking excessive alcohol. During a hangover, you can experience things such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, light and sound sensitivity, and a couple of more not-too-nice after-effects.
The severity of your hangover will vary, depending on how much you had to drink, what type of alcohol you drank, your level of metabolism, etc. And though there is no cure for a hangover, there are a few things you can do to help you get through it with minimal discomfort. However, first, let’s go through the effects of a hangover and why they happen.
Common symptoms of a hangover include:
- Headaches triggered by widening blood vessels
- Dehydration because alcohol has an effect called diuretics that causes more pee to be produced, which in turn leads to dizziness, dry mouth, and exacerbated thirst
- Lack of sleep because excessive alcohol interferes with the natural sleep cycle, causing poor sleep quality, weariness, and sleeplessness
- You can feel nauseous and stomach discomfort because alcohol is known for irritating the stomach lining and delaying the emptying of the stomach
- Increased sensitivity to light and sound, which can worsen the headaches
- Sensations of dizziness and lack of coordination because of alcohol’s impact on the vestibular system in the inner ear
- Irritation, sadness, anxiety, or mood swings
The 19 Best Hangover Cures
There is little worse than suffering from a hangover after celebrating an epic night with friends. Whether it is a vacation, a full-blown birthday bash, or a celebration for a promotion, you deserve to have a night of drinking without worrying about the upcoming hangover and its nasty side effects.
But worry not; there is a solution – or twenty for you to choose from. By following these tips, you can recover from your night of over-indulgence and rejuvenate yourself in no time. Some of the best ways to get rid of your hangover are listed below for you.
1. Hydration: Replenishing Vital Fluids
Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydration is one of the most important things you can do to treat a hangover. As mentioned earlier, alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes you to lose fluids and become dehydrated very quickly. Replacing those lost fluids is essential for your body. And, to help rehydrate and restore electrolytes, drink water, coconut water, or electrolyte-enhanced drinks.
2. Nutrient-Rich Breakfast: Fueling Your Body
A nutrient-rich breakfast can be a game-changer when dealing with a hangover. Eat foods high in vitamins and minerals, such as eggs, whole grains, and leafy greens, to help your body detoxify and replenish essential nutrients. Foods rich in potassium, such as bananas or avocados, can also help alleviate hangover symptoms, so make sure you have some in the fridge the next time you go out to that NYE party.
3. Ginger: A Natural Remedy for Nausea
Ginger has long been known for its anti-nausea properties, making it an ideal natural remedy for hangover-induced nausea. You can have ginger in various forms, such as ginger tea, ginger ale, or ginger supplements, to help soothe an upset stomach and reduce nausea. This is a great way to keep your nausea down when you are drinking in a slightly formal setting, too.
4. Sleep: Giving Your Body Time to Recover
Rest is important for your body to heal and recover from a hangover. Alcohol can interfere with your sleep cycle, leaving you feeling groggy and fatigued the next day. Aim to get some extra sleep or take a nap to allow your body the time it needs to recover from the side effects of a hangover. Just make sure that your drinking plans fall before the weekend or holiday because going to work with a hangover is just about one of the worst things you can experience.
5. Pain Relievers: Managing Headaches and Aches
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, are a godsend and can help alleviate headaches and other aches that will accompany your hangover. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage instructions, and avoid acetaminophen, because it can cause liver damage when combined with alcohol.
6. Antacids: Taming an Upset Stomach
Heartburn and indigestion are some of the nastier effects of a hangover. Antacids help neutralize stomach acid and provide relief from discomfort. Choose an antacid containing magnesium or calcium for the best results, and you will be fine in no time.
7. Vitamin B: Boosting Your Energy Levels
Alcohol consumption depletes your body’s B-vitamin stores, which leaves you feeling sluggish and fatigued. Taking a B-vitamin supplement or consuming B-vitamin-rich foods, such as whole grains, lean meats, and legumes, can help restore energy levels and get you on the path to a quick hangover recovery.
8. Exercise: Stimulating Blood Flow
Yes, the idea of exercise is not at all appealing, especially during a hangover, but gentle physical activity stimulates blood flow and encourages the release of endorphins. This, in turn, improves your mood and overall well-being. Try a light walk, stretching, or yoga to help get your body moving, but take it slow, especially if you feel nauseous; then, you can refer to tip number 3.
9. Coffee or Tea: Combatting Fatigue
Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or tea, will give you the much-needed energy boost when dealing with a hangover. However, remember that caffeine is also a diuretic, so be sure to balance your caffeine intake with additional water or other hydrating fluids to prevent further dehydration. You must balance this one a little more cautiously.
10. A Dash of Anti-Inflammatory: Pain Relief Supplements
Hangovers are also accompanied by inflammation in the body, which causes headaches and body aches. Natural anti-inflammatory supplements like turmeric or omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. Additionally, eating foods high in antioxidants, like berries or leafy greens, can help support overall health and promote faster recovery. So, make a few berry pancakes in the morning and add that to tip number 2!
11. Bone Broth: The Ultimate Cure
Since there is a whole SubReddit dedicated to nursing hangovers, it is great advice to listen to when it says that bone broth, which is a nutrient-rich drink, can help soothe an upset stomach and reduce inflammation. It contains amino acids, collagen, and electrolytes that can help restore hydration and replenish essential nutrients. Drinking bone broth before or after a night of drinking will prevent a hangover or alleviate its symptoms while also supporting overall physical health and wellness.
12. Cold Compress: Soothing Headaches and Puffiness
Applying a cold compress to your forehead or the back of your neck can provide some relief from hangover-related headaches and also reduces puffiness around your eyes. This simple remedy constricts blood vessels, helping to lower the pain and inflammation you will likely feel during a hangover.
13. Go Natural: Try Natural Remedies
Some natural remedies have been shown to help alleviate hangover symptoms. Tip number 3 mentioned ginger being a great cure for nausea, but peppermint oil will certainly help your headaches. Also, drinking a cup of green tea can help provide a gentle energy boost while also providing antioxidants to help your body recover. Green tea is a great idea for when you are fighting a hangover that just won’t let go.
14. Electrolytes: Try the Trusty Gatorade
We already covered that when you drink alcohol, it can dehydrate your body and cause an electrolyte imbalance, and this is what leads to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Gatorade can help restore these essential nutrients and provide the hydration you need. The electrolytes in Gatorade, such as sodium and potassium, regulate fluid balance and support nerve and muscle function.
Additionally, the carbohydrates in Gatorade can help provide energy and improve digestion, which also reduces nausea. Drinking Gatorade before or after drinking alcohol can help avoid or ease the hangover symptoms.
15. Have a Bowl of Soup: Power Up!
Soup is a popular hangover remedy that can help nurse hangover symptoms and promote faster recovery. When you’re hungover, your body is often dehydrated and depleted of essential nutrients. Soup provides hydration, electrolytes, and other nutrients that can help replenish your body.
One of the main benefits of taking soup for hangovers is that it’s easy to digest. When you’re hungover, your digestive system becomes sensitive, and you face difficulty eating solid foods. Soup, on the other hand, is a liquid-based diet that’s easy on the stomach and can help improve digestion. Also, like Gatorade, soup can be a good source of carbohydrates, giving you the energy you need and stabilizing your blood sugar levels.
16. Freeze It: Take a Cold Shower or Bath
It sounds uncomfortable, but a cold shower or bath reduces inflammation and stimulates blood flow, which will give you relief from headaches and body aches you acquire during your hangover. Alternatively, you can head on to tip number 4 and use a cold compress on your forehead or neck to help ease the discomfort.
17. Consider Supplements: Beat that Hangover
Certain supplements help reduce hangover symptoms. One supplement that is often used for hangover relief is vitamin B complex. Alcohol depletes vitamin B, which is important for energy production and metabolism. Taking a B complex supplement before and after drinking will replenish the nutrients that improve fatigue, brain fog, and other hangover symptoms.
Also, magnesium is important for muscle and nerve function, and it alleviates muscle tension and headaches that often accompany your hangovers. It also supports relaxation and promotes better sleep, which can be helpful for those experiencing insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns after drinking.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is another supplement that can be helpful for hangovers. NAC is an amino acid that helps strengthen liver function and reduces the toxicity of alcohol. It reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, which are common causes of hangover symptoms. However, always consult with a healthcare provider before taking any new supplements.
18. Prevention is Key: Be Prepared
As boring as this may sound, the best thing you can do to cure a hangover is to not get a hangover in the first place. Drink in moderation and pace yourself during the night out. You can also alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and eat something before you go out. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure!
19. Hangover Fruit: Use the Power of Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and boosts your immune system. They also contain potassium, which can help regulate your fluid balance and support both nerve and muscle function during your hangover.
One popular way to consume tomatoes for hangover relief is by drinking tomato juice. Tomato juice can be a refreshing and hydrating beverage that’s packed with important nutrients. Because it is also a good source of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, it will help fight the dehydration you experience during alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
Hangover cures are important because they help relieve the unpleasant symptoms that people experience after drinking alcohol. Hangover cures can help you feel better and get back to your normal routine more quickly, allowing you to avoid lost productivity and missed social engagements.
While the cures listed above can help you recover from a hangover, the best way to avoid one is to drink moderately and responsibly. Set limits for yourself, alternate alcoholic beverages with water or other hydrating drinks, and never drink on an empty stomach. Remember that these hangover cures are not guaranteed to work for everyone, as individual responses may vary.
Always consult a healthcare professional before using any new supplements or medications. Ultimately, taking care of your body and knowing your limits is the key to preventing and managing hangovers.
I am a passionate beer connoisseur with a deep appreciation for the art and science of brewing. With years of experience tasting and evaluating various beers, I love to share my opinions and insights with others and I am always eager to engage in lively discussions about my favorite beverage.
