Glasses clink all night and even those who usually don’t overindulge go overboard and pound one too many shots in celebration of the New Year!
But a night of total revelry can trigger the dreaded new year hangover that leaves one with a throbbing headache, irritable, parched, weak, woozy, nauseous, red eyed, and feeling just plain awful.
So, how do you avoid the nasty after effects the next day after pushing the limits at the drunken binge?
Remember, there is no magic pill that can snap you out of your stupor as the hangover won’t stop until the alcohol is flushed out of your system. Remedies don’t provide a cure. They simply address a few symptoms and minimize your suffering a bit.
Sleep:
After staying up late, rest is your best friend! Sleep deprivation can definitely make the symptoms worse. For those who do not have the luxury of “sleeping it off” the next day, taking a nap at some point later in the day is a good idea as it gives foggy brain and achy body time to recover.
Avoid Coffee:
If you are nursing a hardcore new year hangover, people tend to grab a coffee to help feel better. While a weak cup of coffee may be okay, drinking shot after shot of espresso will only make you feel worse as the caffeine continues to dehydrate your body more.
Over-the-counter painkillers:
The first thing many people do is to reach for over the counter painkillers for hangover recovery after a night of heavy drinking. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen (such as Advil) or Acetaminophen is risky and can wreak havoc on your liver if ingested while intoxicated.
Hydrate:
Given that alcohol drains the body of water and electrolytes, sipping plenty of fluids before going to bed and throughout the day helps the detoxification process if you are seriously hung over.
Try and drink orange or sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade to combat dehydration. Tomato juice with cayenne pepper, sugar and lime both before retiring and immediately upon waking up can also ease hangover symptoms.
Munch on something:
Overindulgence irritates your stomach and the mere thought of food can make you sick in the stomach. However, eating something will make you better. Bland foods like lightly salted crackers and toast are known to help deal with hangovers. The food will absorb the alcohol and alleviate feelings of nausea. However, if still feeling queasy, take it slow or you will end up staring at the toilet bowl.
Coca Cola:
A chilled coke may pay rich dividends the next morning. The fizz works for the nausea, liquid for the dehydration while the caffeine and sugar makes you feel perky.
