10 Amazing hangover cures for the festive season
While we don't condone excessive drinking at Lucky Voice, we are well aware that sometimes things get out of hand at an office Christmas party or family shindig, and one can find oneself feeling more than a touch worse for wear come the cold harsh light of dawn. Fortunately we're here to help, with 10 surefire ways to kick a festive hangover in the nether regions and out of your poor throbbing head...
1) Limit how much you drink the night before
It sounds like a no-brainer, but the best thing you can do for your hangover is drink responsibly the night before. Have a glass of water in between each alcoholic drink, learn to say no, and always remind yourself that a round of Jägerbombs is a terrible, terrible idea!
2) Pay attention to what you drink
You want to avoid drinks that are high in congeners; chemical by-products in the fermentation process by which sugars turn in to carbon dioxide and ethanol (alcohol). Drinks low in congeners include vodka, gin and rum, while tequila, whiskey and cognac are all very high in congeners.
3) Eat a healthy breakfast
You need to replace the minerals and vitamins in your body that have been depleted through excessive alcohol intake and eating a healthy breakfast the next morning is the easiest way to do it. Salmon, eggs and avocado on toast is a particularly good meal to start your day with. Bananas, oranges, nuts and tomato juice also help.
4) Light exercise
It's really important to do the right kind of exercise when dealing with a hangover, as the old wives' tale about sweating toxins out through strenuous activity is complete nonsense. You actually want to focus on a low intensity form of exercise that'll release endorphins, improve your mood and wake your body up without further dehydrating it or adding to feelings of nausea.
For entirely self-promotional reasons we'd recommend signing up to a free 14 day trial of our online karaoke service to sing your little heart out to your favourite tracks as this is a proven endorphin-releasing mood booster, but yoga, stretching and light weights also work.
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5) Hydration
A lot of the nastiest effects of a hangover – fatigue, headache and dizziness – come from dehydration, so drink lots of water. Electrolyte-heavy drinks like Gatorade or Lucozade Sport are also a good call, as the electrolytes help you retain water and urinate less, leading to quicker re-hydration. A Dioralyte sachet also works wonders.
6) Painkillers
To deal with the headache aspect of a hangover, you want to use a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller like ibuprofen. Make sure to avoid Tylenol though as it will put too much strain on an already over-worked liver!
7) Supplements
Some of supplements that have been found to be beneficial on a hangover by scientific studies include red ginseng, prickly pears, ginger, borage oil and eleuthero (Siberian ginseng).
8) Sleep
While a lack of sleep doesn't cause your hangover symptoms, it does make them worse. If you get the chance, grab a nap during the day as it will help alleviate tiredness and give your body some time to process the nasty chemicals it needs to to make you feel better without your conscious mind there to suffer!
9) Distract yourself
Find something to keep you entertained that isn't too taxing. A duvet day with Netflix and Disney might not help alleviate any of the physical suffering of a hangover but it can do wonders for your mental state. Cat memes also help.
10) Finally: What not to do
Firstly, don't try hair of the dog. While some research has been done to suggest it might help a hangover by getting the body to start breaking down the less nasty chemicals in alcohol, you're only delaying the inevitable and potentially perpetuating a dangerous cycle of dependence. Also, don't drink coffee. While the obvious appeal of a caffeine boost is understandable, it further dehydrates the body and is just a way of borrowing energy from your future self. Finally, don't trust any pill claiming to be a miracle hangover cure as they simply don't exist!
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