How to Get Rid of a Hangover: Natural, Practical, Medicinal, and Lifestyle Ways
Perhaps you’ve been there before: waking up the morning after a night of drinking with a throbbing headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. If you’ve ever experienced a hangover, you know it’s not an enjoyable experience. While preventing or eliminating a hangover altogether may not be realistic, there are several ways to alleviate the symptoms naturally, practically, medicinally, and through lifestyle choices. In this article, we’ll explore these various approaches and tips to help you feel better sooner after a night of drinking.
The Natural Way
One of the most effective ways to prevent and treat a hangover is to address it naturally as soon as possible. Here are some natural methods you can try:
Drinking Water
One of the most important things you can do is stay hydrated. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates your body, which can lead to headaches and other symptoms of a hangover. Drinking plenty of water throughout the night, during and after drinking, can help you stay hydrated, flush out toxins, and reduce the intensity of your hangover.
Consuming Electrolytes
Electrolytes are essential minerals that help regulate fluid balance in our bodies. When we drink, our electrolyte levels may become depleted, which can cause nausea and muscle cramps. Consuming electrolyte drinks or snacks (e.g., coconut water, bananas, sports drinks) can help replenish these vital minerals and relieve hangover symptoms.
Getting Enough Sleep
Alcohol can disrupt your sleep patterns, leaving you feeling groggy and irritable the next day. Getting enough sleep is crucial for recovering from a hangover, as your body repairs and rejuvenates while you rest. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep, if possible, and try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
Eating a Healthy Breakfast
While the last thing you may want to do is eat when you wake up with a hangover, consuming a nutritious breakfast can help boost your energy levels and reduce the effects of a hangover. Foods high in protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates (e.g., eggs, avocado, whole-grain toast) can help stabilize your blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy throughout the day.
Incorporating Certain Foods and Supplements
Some foods and supplements may help prevent or alleviate hangover symptoms, such as:
- Ginger: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help soothe an upset stomach and reduce nausea.
- Vitamin B6: Found in foods like chicken, fish, and bananas, vitamin B6 may help reduce hangover symptoms by converting alcohol into less harmful substances.
- Milk Thistle: This herb has been shown to support liver function and protect against liver damage caused by alcohol consumption.
The Practical Way
In addition to natural remedies, there are practical steps you can take to prevent or alleviate a hangover:
Setting Limits on Alcohol Intake
One of the most obvious ways to prevent a hangover is to drink in moderation. Setting limits on how much you drink and sticking to them can help reduce the severity of a hangover. Men should limit themselves to no more than two drinks per day, and women should stick to one drink per day, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Drinking Water Throughout the Night
As mentioned earlier, staying hydrated is crucial for preventing a hangover. Keep a glass of water nearby and sip on it throughout the night, alternating with alcoholic beverages.
Avoiding Sugary Drinks
Drinks with high sugar content (e.g., cocktails, sweet wine, soda mixers) can cause blood sugar levels to spike and then crash, leading to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Opt for drinks with lower sugar content, such as beer or wine, or mix liquor with water or soda water instead.
Not Drinking on an Empty Stomach
Drinking on an empty stomach can increase the speed at which alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream, leading to a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and a greater likelihood of a hangover. Eating a meal or snack before drinking can help slow down alcohol absorption and reduce the severity of a hangover.
The Medicinal Way
If natural and practical methods are not enough to alleviate your hangover symptoms, several medication options are available:
Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen, can help relieve headaches, muscle aches, and fever associated with hangovers. However, be careful not to take too much or mix different medications, as this can cause liver damage or other health complications.
Anti-Nausea Medication
If you’re experiencing persistent nausea or vomiting, prescription anti-nausea medication (e.g., ondansetron, promethazine) may help relieve your symptoms. These drugs work by blocking certain chemicals in your brain that can trigger nausea and vomiting.
Rehydration Salts
Rehydration salts (e.g., Pedialyte, Gatorade) can help replenish electrolytes and fluids lost due to alcohol consumption. These products typically contain a mix of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and other minerals that can help relieve dehydration and other hangover symptoms.
The Lifestyle Way
The most effective way to prevent future hangovers is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits:
Reducing Overall Alcohol Intake
While you may not want to give up alcohol altogether, reducing your overall intake can go a long way in preventing future hangovers. Stick to the recommended limits of no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
Adopting Healthier Habits
Regular exercise, healthy eating, and stress reduction can make your body more resilient to the effects of alcohol and improve your overall health and well-being. Incorporating these habits into your routine can help reduce the frequency and severity of hangovers.
Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep each night is essential for restoring your body and mind and preventing hangovers. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night and stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends.
The Combined Way
While each approach can be effective on its own, combining various remedies and practices may work best for you. Try different methods and find what works best for your body and lifestyle. A comprehensive approach that includes natural remedies, practical steps, medication, and lifestyle changes may be the most effective way to prevent and alleviate hangovers.
Conclusion
Hangovers can be a miserable experience, but there are various ways to alleviate the symptoms and prevent future hangovers. Drinking plenty of water, consuming electrolytes, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy breakfast, incorporating certain foods and supplements, and adopting healthier habits can all help reduce hangover symptoms naturally. Setting limits on alcohol intake, drinking water throughout the night, avoiding sugary drinks, and not drinking on an empty stomach are practical steps you can take to prevent hangovers. Pain relievers, anti-nausea medication, and rehydration salts can provide effective relief for severe hangovers. Finally, reducing overall alcohol intake, adopting healthier habits, and getting enough sleep can help prevent future hangovers. By combining different approaches, you can find the best way to treat or prevent hangovers for your body and lifestyle.