I’m not twenty one anymore, a sad fact that my alcoholism won’t seem to get on board with. This means that when I have a night out on the town it often takes days for me to recover. I feel, after much research and practice, that I have the perfect formula for fast hang over recovery. The plan is three-fold.
BEFORE
* Eat food. Something healthy and in the form of good carbohydrates. Like grainy bread, porridge or brown rice. Sushi is a pretty perfect pre-drinking meal.
* Drink water. Lots of it.
* Have a Berocca or similar water dissolvable vitamin B supplement.
DURING
* Drink water. Lots of it.
* Try to stick to one drink. I used to think this was an urban drinking myth but after years of self testing I’ve come to realise there’s merit to this rule.
* If you choose to drink spirits go easy on sugary mixers. You don’t need a sugar hangover on top of the alcohol one.
* If you’re having a lengthy drinking session, try to have an hour break with no alcohol. Have a mineral water, go for a walk, have a dance. It makes such difference.
* Do not go to bed drunk. This is really difficult to achieve sometimes but if you can get to at least a semi-sober state before you collapse into bed you will have a better sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and less like someone ground your brains.
* Before bed, have as much water as you can physically drink and another a Berocca.
AFTER
* Drink water. Again, as much as you can handle. Ridiculous amounts. Your body needs it, I promise.
* Have another Berocca and some electrolyte powder. You can buy it at the chemist and it’s generally used for severe dehydration after sickness but it’s a miracle for hangovers as it completely re-hydrates you.
* Eat carefully. Try fresh fruit and vegetables, pure juice and some wholegrain toast. A banana smoothie is also fantastic as bananas are full of potassium which is fantastic for hangovers. Try this recipe –
250 mls low fat milk
2 bananas
1 tblsp honey
cinnamon
nutmeg
handfull of ice
Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
* Try to get moving. I find hangovers are so much worse if you give in to them. Go for coffee, do a gentle gym session, clean the house.
* This is a very, very unofficial suggestion because I liken sports drinks to cyanide but if you’re desperate try a blue Powerade. Only blue. And only in emergencies.
Have happy hangovers!
Love Lady Smaggle
xxx
P.S I recently got sent the book Fit, Healthy and Intoxicated by one of my favourite readers and it’s hilarious. A must read for hardened drinkers.
16 Comments
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Blue powerade all the way. I don’t often drink, but blue powerade or orange juice always works for me. And hash browns.
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I’m with you on the berocca, or gastrolite. I hated gastrolite when I was a kid, but now that our relationship has developed we are on much better terms. And there is nothing like a bacon and BBQ sauce toasted sandwich (wholegrain bread) when you get home in the middle of the night, I’m sure it’s the ultimate cure.
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I usually find that if I’ve got my wits about me to drink water before bed, I’m not that drunk 🙂
Gastrolite is great. Well I’ve only ever tried it once. I had the hangover from hell, could barely move and was on hols in SE Asia. Had to get out of bed, packed and to the airport and had my holiday first aid supplies on me. It worked a treat.
I am also a huge fan of milky, sweet Earl Grey tea for hangovers. I’d also suggest not drinking in shouts, because it’s easy to drink much more than you plan!
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My brother swears by chicken twisties, But I say a good strong cup of tea, followed by scrambled eggs on toast and your good to go!
I also drink a lot of water before bed, especially if the room is spinning – that usually means your in for a rough time the next day!! -
If I never drank again I have ingested enough for several lifetimes. Also got to the stage where I got hangovers – rarely – which shows a frightening tolerance for poison. I haven’t had a drink in over 8 years – it freaks others out somewhat (I dunno, maybe they think I’m going to sit in judgement with a face like a chicken’s arse? – Nooooo) – you can be every bit as silly and loud without a drink – of course it is a bit awkward sometimes without the old social lubricant, but it isn’t a prerequisite for a good time. I never make an issue or mention it – just have my mixer/water/juice and let everyone think its voddie if it makes them feel better. I used to swear by ice-lollies the morning after mmmm cold, sugary, mouth-refreshment. Also buttered toast.
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Your body can really only absorb 1 berocca (or similar) per day, so the extra dosing is unlikely to be beneficial. Otherwise, I agree entirely but would also like to add downing some panadol AND nurofen before bed-time.
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+1 for Nurofen before bed. And blue powerade.. are you MAD? It HAS to be sugar free lemon (less carbs and so refreshment!)
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Oh my lord, I totally agree with the blue powerade tip! Glad you liked the book, I am going to write to her and ask if she wants to meet up for a drink, haha!
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I can’t go past a Grill’d burger on the days after a little too much red. And their amazing chips with rock salt and rosemary.
Mmmmm… It’s almost enough to make the drinking worthwhile!
Poppy xox
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Is it weird that this looks like WAY TOO MUCH work for me to ever want to get drink any sort of alcohol? I’m glad you’ve found something to minimize your pain, though. 🙂
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lolol blue poweraide! THIS is my desperation cure as well!
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Woulda been so helpful last weekend, lmao! My bff swears by Vitamin B for drinking nights too.
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Oh don’t we all hate a hangover!
Def got some tips from you there babe.
xxx
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I’m with you Reyna, far too much effort for very little in return (for me). I’m always a bit torn when it come to alcohol, I’m a bit angry at it. Had a terrible time for about 5 years where I would basically have an allergic reaction if I drank anything. 2 or 3 standard drinks would cause me to stay awake for hours and hours after going to bed, heart racing, breathing very heavily… Once I woke up after finally getting to sleep I would be fine though.
I’ve worked out however, I can drink cocktails til the cows come home and I’m fine!
But I have a bit of a thing about the social aspect of “having a drink” and the stigma of not. E has a point, sometimes you just let people assume you are drinking vodka just to make them feel better. Why do people *have* to drink to have a good time? My problem is definitely not with people who drink, it’s with the fact that it’s seen to be abnormal if you don’t. I chose not to drink at all at my wedding, and my mum was incredulous “You have to drink something at your own wedding!”
haha, I’ll end my little rant there =P But next time I do go out on the town, I will definitely be doing the berocca before going out, I’ve heard before that’s a really good idea.
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[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LadySmaggle, Pam Power. Pam Power said: RT @LadySmaggle: http://bit.ly/cWy3UM How to deal with a hangover… like a lady. […]
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[…] How to deal with a hangover – handy advice. my remedy is drinking lots of water before/after, take some advil and a vitamin before bed, and then drink lots of water the next morning + have eggs on toast. It works in all except for the most drastic of cases! (in which case, honestly, sleeping it off is your best bet.) […]
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by LadySmaggle, Pam Power. Pam Power said: RT @LadySmaggle: http://bit.ly/cWy3UM How to deal with a hangover… like a lady. […]
[…] How to deal with a hangover – handy advice. my remedy is drinking lots of water before/after, take some advil and a vitamin before bed, and then drink lots of water the next morning + have eggs on toast. It works in all except for the most drastic of cases! (in which case, honestly, sleeping it off is your best bet.) […]