Chasing Away the Hangover Blues

Some friends call it “the fear.”  Some call it the “dark day.” Call it what you like, the day after a heavy drinking night can be a downer.  And the next day?  How many times have you wanted to kick yourself because one whole weekend day is lost in recovery?  Don’t let your whole day fall victim to your previous evening of debauchery.

First, take care of the physical.

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  Most of a hangover is dehydration.  However, water can be hard to swallow.  Drink sports drinks instead.  They taste better (water seems to tastes metallic after a night of drinking, but that could just be me) and they will help replenish those electrolytes that you’re missing (which may be causing your shakes).  However, don’t try to chug like your chugged your beer.  Better to take it slow and nurse it. When you feel up to it, switch to water.  Sports drinks are loaded with sugar and you don’t want them helping out your beer gut.

2. Painkillers.  Skip the Acetaminophen. It can do some serious damage to your liver.  Stick with ibuprofen, just make sure that you follow the recommended dosage.  Head really, really hurt?  Probably due to your dehydration.  Drink some more (not alcohol, you ninny).  Sometimes, the headache can be a double-whammy of caffeine withdrawl and hangover hell.  So if your a caffeine addict, go ahead and have your coffee.  Just be darn sure to follow it up with more hydration.

3.  Food.  Yes, I know that a really greasy burger sounds just delicious and you’re certain it will take all of your hangover problems away.  But please, try to restrain yourself.  You’ve just spent last night pummelling your liver and now you want to start picking on your arteries?  Yes, your blood sugar is probably low due to your binge and yes, a hamburger will solve the problem in the short term.  That’s why it’s comfort food.  Choose a healthier option.  Peanut butter on toast is my favorite.  Still kinda greasy, but at least it’s the right kind of grease.  Boiled eggs with salt are another tasty option.

That takes care of the body, but what about the mind?  The depression of “the day after” can be devastating.   

1. Shower and put on some clean clothes.  You’ll probably be in the bathroom this morning anyways and no one said that you had to shower standing up.  Take your sports drink in with you and wash off the bar stink.  Put on some clothes that don’t reek of ciggies and vodka.  Feeling clean on the outside will help you feel better about yourself.  Really.

2.  Take a walk in the fresh air.  Getting out and about will help get all those feel-good chemicals moving.  If you can (without vomiting), even do some light exercise.  Endorphines will do you good.  Also, momma was right that sunshine is good for you.  Yeah, I know you don’t feel like.  Yeah, I know that you really just want to sleep all day.  However, you need to sleep well tonight and that means sticking it out and staying up today.

3.  Do something already.   Plan to meet up with some friend for a late lunch.  Or invite people over and offer to make them a really late breakfast.  If they are in the same condition as you, even better.  Throw a pity party for the hungover (think of it as your own perverse version of a support group).  Believe it or not, these things can be fun.  It’s a chance to laugh at one another or put together peices of the previous evening.  Make plans and DON’T BREAK THEM.  Getting up and about will do wonders for your mental well being.  Also, you won’t feel like a loser for wasting a whole day of your life due to six hours of fun. 

Overall advice, suck it up. Don’t just stay in bed and waste away the day.  Get something accomplished and be the envy of your friends. After all, they’re still in bed with a headache.