So, you didn't stop drinking when you were buzzed like you're supposed to and you forgot to down a bunch of milk thistle, activated charcoal pills, and B vitamins before you even got started. Rookie move, Amateur Hour (that's your new nickname)!
But fear not, there are still ways to combat that hangover and you've got to get started on them ASAP. So put on your sunglasses so you can finish reading this article and let's get to work.
1. Hydrate!
You've heard this one a million times before and that's because it's so damn important. You can drink water, fruit juice, sports drinks (electrolytes! sodium! life!), and tea with ginger to help with the nausea and motion sickness. Also, a cup or two of coffee can help both with a headache and with the sleepiness, so today is not the day to kick your caffeine habit. The best combo IMHO is a TON of water and a little coffee — helps clear your brain and makes you feel sane. Well, sane-ish.
2. Treat what's actually happening to your body.
If you have a headache, take some ibuprofen. If you have a stomachache, down some Pepto-Bismol. Listen to your body, it's screaming at you with exactly what's wrong — deal with that. (The only caveat here is to stay away from anything containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol because it may cause liver damage when combined with alcohol and you've already done enough liver damage for one lifetime.)
3. Eat some fruit:
Specifically, ones that are a good source of potassium like bananas or kiwis. You see, alcohol has a diuretic effect and you need to replace the lost minerals. Plus, the sugar in fruit helps burn off the alcohol.
4. Eat carbs!Â
Best sentence ever, right? Munch on some bread to bring your blood sugar up, and add some jam to get the alcohol-burning effects of fruit in the mix, too. However, don't go big on a greasy breakfast because that'll just make you feel like garbage longer.
5. Take an Emergen-C and a vitamin B complex.
A Vitamin B complex — a pill that includes B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), folic acid, B6, and B12 — as well as some vitamin C will help knock your hangover to its knees and get you back out there drinking again! The vitamin B complex replenishes the what alcohol depletes and the fizzy vitamin C going down helps with overall wellness. Good job taking your vitamins in the face of adversity, champ!
6. Remember, hangovers aren't just internal.Â
Remember to treat your feet, skin, and eyes, too. Â Take care of the rest of your body when your brain is screaming at you for being such a dummy.
7. TV and Sleep:
Honestly, the best way to get through a hangover is to lay in front of a TV with a bottle of water and your Netflix subscription. I swear, napping between episodes of Orange Is the New Black has very restorative properties.