Ok crisis time-threat level MIDNIGHT. Your alarm clock is blaring, you have class, or work, or brunch with your mom in t-minus 1 hour, and you’re sporting a serious hangover that has incapacitated you in the worst way. What to do?
Beyond the self-loathing and inevitable vowing never to touch another drop of drink as long as you live, there are a few practical steps you can take to minimize the physical suffering. And quickly.
1. Water, Water, and More Water.
Ideally, before you go to bed after a night of partying, you should try to drink at least a liter of water to stave off the unavoidable headache, but even if you didn’t- water is still the most important weapon against even the deadliest hangovers. Down a glass before you even think of doing anything else.
2. Shower
See? Water really is the key. Even if the idea of getting up is sickening to you, I promise, a shower will do wonders in washing off last night’s debauchery, and giving you the refreshment you need to start the day.
3. Cold Spoons
No, don’t gauge your eyes out-no matter how horrific the pounding is behind them. Put the back of cold spoons on those huge, dark under eye circles you’ve got for about 5-8 minutes-it will reduce swelling and discoloration, so that you almost look like a real person.
4. Eat a Banana
I’m all for the greasy post hangover food tradition, however, sometimes that hurts more than it helps. The potassium in bananas does wonders for the body, restoring key vitamins and nutrients, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s better for you than that oily bacon, egg, and cheese.
5. Grin and Bear it
I know, I know-not what you wanted to hear. But sometimes the only defense is a smile (no matter how much it hurts) and the knowledge that it’ll all be over soon. Since alcohol is a mood depressant, sometimes, the effects are purely psychological. You’d be amazed how far a smile and a good attitude go in combating the day after doom.
What are your sure-fire hangover treatments?
guest
How about not drinking to the point of a hangover? Blogs like this really make me mad. ITs OKAY to get wasted on alcohol because its legal. Don’t drink that amount to get to that point in the first place. Let’s give tips on how to cover up other withdrawls from other drugs as well. Alcohol is a real drug people. A drug is something that alters your state of mind. Alcohol does this all too well. It tears families apart, kills people and ruins lives.
Why in the world would Lovelish be posting about this?
Boo.
hydrangea / 83 posts
Vitamin B tablet, also. And something caffeinated….I prefer large fountain coke.
guest
Or, don’t drink to the point of intoxication? Please, someone tell me what’s so fun about forgetting the night before, waking up feeling like shit, vomiting your guts up into a toilet and spending at least the next 12 hours with a pounding headache and a permanent feeling of nausea? Why do people think it’s a good idea?!
guest
I’d have to say the best way to “beat a hangover” is not to put yourself in the position to be suffering from one in the first place! I’m not saying don’t ever drink, I am saying enjoy your occasion cocktail or two, and do so intelligently. Be sure to eat something, stay hydrated and don’t drink so much that you can’t remember your name or where you live.
sunflower / 413 posts
I always drink a full glass of water before bed if I’ve been drinking. I only got blackout drunk one time and the next day was not fun. I know my limit now and I know not to mix different types of alcohol. For example, stick to either rum based drinks or vodka based drinks. DO NOT MIX THEM! I usually don’t wake up sick the next morning. I know it’s not the healthy thing to do, but eating greasy starchy food helps the next day. So go to a diner or McDonald’s.
guest
I believe the best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink in the first place. Drinking is a pollution to body and spirit.
guest
The best formula for me: Water, Ibuprofen (before bed), and making sure to snack on something while I”m drinking. Been doing this for years…and never gotten sick. Also, eat a big breakfast the next morning.
That crap about mixing drinks is not true. At least not for me.
I rarely get drunk, but if I do, I do it at ONE place, with people I know and trust.
daisy / 727 posts
I’ve only had one hangover and that was a few years ago. After I’ve been drinking though, the next day soda and greasy food is always the best. I didn’t realize so many Xangans were against getting drunk. I’m all for not getting drunk all the time, but once in the while who cares. Anyways, I grew up on block parties and in an Irish family. Drinking is pretty much a second nature to everyone I know. I’m usually the DD anyways, but the judgement is just radiating in some of these comments
guest
My friend says to eat the greasiest food possible.
guest
@sunflowersforlove@xanga - I’m not against drinking, just against drinking to the point where you’re sick the next day. I don’t think anyone’s saying you can’t go out and have a few glasses of wine with friends or whatever, but drinking to the point where your body is making you sick is not a smart thing to do. Like it or not, alcohol is a poison. Being sick is your bodies way of staying “you shouldn’t have done that”.
guest
@daydreams_nightmares@xanga - I can have two glasses of wine, not be drunk, and be sick the next day. My body doesn’t process the alcohol out like most others do, and I’m completely healthy. It doesn’t matter how much water I drink, if I eat, or any other tip or trick…sometimes it just happens. Other times I can down beer, shots, and whatever else and be completely fine. YOLO.
My savior, when it works, is Alka-Seltzer.
guest
@Cookstergirl88@xanga - Well said!
guest
The best way to beat a hangover—learn your limit and don’t get drunk! Its simple! I don’t drink so I will never need this advice.
guest
I’m surprised by the amount of judginess on here. Like for real. ”I don’t get drunk, so I don’t have to worry about this. If you didn’t get drunk, you wouldn’t either.” Well, good for you. But every once in a while (like maybe once every other month) I just want to let loose and have more drinks than may be good for me. And you know what? I am perfectly aware of the potential consequences of that, which may include a hangover. I do my best not to drink the night before anything important, but sometimes things come up unexpectedly. I find drinking on occasion to be relaxing, fun, and a break from everyday stresses. Lots of other fun activities have potential bad side effects (nearly all sports or physical activity has a risk of injury or dehydration or both), but no one says “don’t play football because you can have your collar bone broken in a tackle.”
guest
@Cookstergirl88@xanga - A hangover isn’t withdrawal. A hangover is severe dehydration induced by excessive alcohol consumption. You can get a hangover without being addicted to alcohol. You can also get all the symptoms of a hangover by not drinking water or any other beverage for a few days. This isn’t “5 tips to hide your alcoholism.” Yes, alcohol is a drug, and unfortunately it is abused by some people. However, it can also be used sparingly for responsible, enjoyable recreation. Alcohol consumption has been a cultural norm for thousands of years in hundreds of cultures. If you choose not to partake, that is your choice. But my alcohol consumption has never and will never kill (I refuse to drink and drive and I know my limits so I won’t die of alcohol poisoning), tear my family apart, or ruin anyone’s life. Maybe instead of demonizing a substance that has been used for millenia and the people who partake in it, we can work on education to help prevent abuse and harmful behaviors.
guest
I’m not sure what’s more annoying… that people drink to the point of that, or that others use this common phenomenon as a way to get on their high horse and preach down to everyone else in comments.
guest
alright everyone who is telling me to “not drink in the first place” needs to suck a nut. seriously, i get bad hangovers and i don’t drink ALL that much (no head in the toilet for me). Why yes, I have had my fair share of drinks (half a bottle of pinnacle + jungle juice anyone?) but I do make it on time for my 10 am shift the next morning. i have learned that water, sleep, and a nice hot shower in the morning with a healthy breakfast of eggs and oatmeal works WONDERS. So, I’d say my partying has resulted in fun the night of AND hasn’t created too many problems in the morning.
guest
@TiPrometto@xanga - I’m the same way except with beer…. especially really crappy beer. my body doesn’t process it too well. i just stick with liquor or wine.
guest
Water. Drink tons of water.
guest
Mothafuckin alkaseltzer.
guest
GATORADE! LOTS OF IT!
Drink a ton the night before and eat. Before you sleep, drink a couple glasses of water. When you wake up to pee, drink a couple of glasses of water. Repeat. Replenish electrolytes.
guest
Eat something with protein and complex carbs before you go to bed. Wash it down with at least 20 oz of water. When you get up in the wee hours to go to the bathroom go drink another 20 oz of water.
No hangover.
Next time don’t get so snockered. Or you can chase each alcoholic drink with the same amount of water. You don’t even get drunk then.