Nightlife Tips: Avoiding a Hangover
You know all too well those hateful, day-after symptoms: nausea, headache, dry mouth, and a lingering dread. You drank too much, had too much fun, and now you're paying the price. But there are ways to mitigate the pain. Follow our tips to bounce back quicker, and learn a few cautionary tricks to ward off the effects that might be yours during the holiday season. You'll thank us in the morning!
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Even in the midst of the festivities, it can become apparent that you've made the transition from enjoyment to excess. When that time comes, you may find yourself lamenting "Why didn't I refrain?" Well, here's what you should have done...
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Do not drink on an empty stomach. The goal is to ingest food as a foil for the alcohol, preventing it from affecting the body so potently. Carbs are particularly useful in this respect, so include them in your pre-party meals.
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Hydration is mandatory. If your body is lacking it, the alcohol can take a quicker route into the bloodstream. Do yourself a favor and get your fill of water before going out.
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Some folks swear by the idea of coating the stomach with a substance to decrease alcohol absorption. A top candidate? Milk. Have a glass or two prior to imbibing, and save yourself some sorrow. Avoid extra calories by choosing skim.
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Without going into specific scientific terminology, suffice it to say that dark liquors and red wines feature more of the chemicals that can get you drunk than light liquors and white wines do. For that reason, stick to the paler drinks. Also, make sure to enjoy the good stuff when possible, because refined, better quality liquors help the cause as well. And while we're advising, keep in mind that proper anti-hangover sequencing demands hard liquor before beer, never the reverse.
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Sure, they're pretty, and they taste good too, but sweet cocktails, laced with sugar, can contribute to hangovers more readily than their less frou-frou cousins. Keep them to a minimum, and whenever you do indulge, drink at a slow pace and in moderation. Slamming anything is a surefire route to dangerous intoxication.
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If prevention is no longer a possibility, know that you can lessen the aftermath of a hangover in a number of ways. First and foremost, eat something, even if you don't feel up to it. Opt for foods that are light and nutrient-rich. Honey is a great option because it offers sugars, minerals, and other necessities. You might also consider bananas, sardines, pickles, and the like. Contrary to popular belief, greasy foods are not recommended because they can upset the stomach.
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You should also rehydrate with beverages that feature good things for the body. Water is fine, but fruit juices are even better, because they have more of the vitamins and minerals that drinking has depleted. Sports drinks are also a possibility; they work along the same principles.
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A more direct route to feeling better lies in the form of vitamins. When you overindulge, you lose valuable nutrients; concentrated capsules and pills can resupply them quickly.* Good options include a B-complex, along with C, E, and calcium. Even if you're tempted, however, over-the-counter pain relievers aren't suggested; they don't interact well with alcohol, especially in the long term.
*Consult your physician.
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As most folks who've experienced a hangover know, sleep is often the best remedy. It requires little effort on your part, and it allows the body to recover on its own time frame. Keeping noise and light to a minimum are good strategies, and allowing yourself the leisure to nap is a gift to your physical well-being.
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Depending on the severity of your hangover, you'd do well to get physical. Exercise is great when it comes to metabolizing alcohol, and oftentimes, the presence of fresh air and sunshine are doubly comforting. If you can make it upright, at least try to go for a walk, if not more.
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Few things rejuvenate as satisfyingly as a long shower – even moreso when you're recovering from a hangover. Turn on the water, let the spray beat down, and wash yourself clean of everything from the night before. Even going to the bathroom can help rid the body of too much alcohol – take every opportunity to help the cause!
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While more drinking in the face of a hangover is generally frowned upon, some folks swear by "hair of the dog" remedies. If that's your tactic, consider a Bloody Mary. You get some booze, but you also get vitamins and hydration to hurry the recuperation.
Check out a few of our favorite places to get a mean Mary:
Dixons Downtown Grill – Denver, CO
Pelican Cafe – Miami, FL
Starlite – Austin, TX
Front Page News – Atlanta, GA
Balthazar – New York, NY
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