Nobody likes a hangover—it’s that punishing aftermath of a night of fun that leaves you praying for relief.
We’ve all been there, nursing the mother of all headaches, wrestling with nausea, and cursing our adventurous spirit from the night before.
What if I told you there are ways to ease this pain—that experts swear by certain tips to help you recover faster?
In this article, I’ll share seven expert-backed tips that do more than just promise relief—they deliver it.
Hangovers can be brutal, but they don’t have to be unbearable!
1) Hydration is key
Seriously, this can’t be stressed enough.
Hangovers are often a sign your body is dehydrated.
The alcohol you consumed the night before has a diuretic effect, which means it makes you pee more, ultimately leaving your body dehydrated.
Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, and fatigue—all classic symptoms of a hangover.
It’s almost like your body is begging you to replace those lost fluids.
Drinking water between alcoholic drinks and before hitting the bed can help to prevent or lessen hangovers.
Hydrating the morning after can also assist in easing the symptoms.
Keep a glass of water by your bed and make it the first thing you reach for when you wake up.
Water is your friend when it comes to battling hangovers.
2) Don’t skip breakfast
I’ll let you in on a little secret from my personal playbook.
A few years back, after a rather eventful night out, I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.
My head pounded like a drum and my stomach churned like a rough sea.
Instead of wallowing in my misery, I decided to try something different.
I dragged myself out of bed and whipped up the most substantial breakfast I could manage.
Eggs, whole grain toast, some fresh fruit—I went all in.
And you know what? It actually helped!
Eating a good breakfast can replenish nutrients that your body may have lost due to alcohol consumption.
Plus, it can help maintain your blood sugar levels, which if low, can contribute to some hangover symptoms.
From personal experience, never underestimate the power of a hearty breakfast when dealing with a hangover.
3) Avoid coffee
I know, I know—it’s practically a morning ritual for most of us, but hear me out.
Caffeine narrows your blood vessels and boosts blood pressure, both of which might make the hangover worse.
Just like alcohol, coffee is a diuretic, which means it can further dehydrate you.
Ironically, despite its reputation as a pick-me-up, your morning cup of joe could be doing more harm than good when you’re nursing a hangover.
If you’re looking for relief from your hangover pain, it might be best to skip the coffee and stick with water or herbal tea instead.
4) Try ginger
Ginger has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including nausea and vomiting.
Now, you might be thinking: “But I don’t have any raw ginger lying around!”
Don’t worry, there are other ways to enjoy the benefits of ginger.
You could sip on some ginger ale or make a hot cup of ginger tea.
Ginger can help to reduce nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of a hangover.
The next time your stomach is churning after a night out, consider reaching for some ginger as it might just do the trick.
5) Don’t underestimate the power of sleep
I’ve found myself many times trying to power through a hangover with loads of water, a good breakfast, and all the right intentions, only to find that it’s just not enough.
Sleep, on the other hand, has always been my secret weapon.
It’s when your body does most of its healing.
While you sleep, your body is hard at work repairing cells and flushing out toxins.
Let’s face it, after a night of drinking, your body has a lot of repairing to do.
When you’re hungover, don’t feel guilty about hitting that snooze button or taking a nap in the afternoon—your body will thank you for it.
6) Try some light exercise
I know it’s the last thing you feel like doing when you’re hungover.
Believe me, I understand, but getting up and moving can actually help.
Light exercise can boost your mood and make you feel better by stimulating the release of endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
Just remember to keep it light: A gentle jog, some yoga, or even a leisurely walk can do the trick.
Don’t push yourself too hard—your body is still recovering, after all.
Of course, don’t forget to hydrate before, during, and after your workout.
7) Time is the best cure
There’s no magical remedy that can instantly cure a hangover, despite all the claims you may hear.
The only surefire way to recover is to give your body time to heal.
Your body has to process the alcohol you’ve consumed and repair any damage done.
This takes time, so be patient with yourself—rest, hydrate, eat well and give your body the time it needs.
It’s okay to take it slow when you’re recovering from a hangover!
Afterthoughts: The body’s resilience
Hangovers remind us of our body’s remarkable ability to recover, to heal itself from the inside out.
They also highlight our body’s need for care and attention.
Every pounding headache or wave of nausea we experience after a night of drinking is a signal from our body.
It’s telling us that it’s dehydrated, that it needs nutrients, that it needs time to recover.
Beyond these tips, let’s not forget the bigger picture—our bodies are incredible machines that deserve our respect and care.
Here’s to listening to our bodies, to understanding their signals, and to treating them with the kindness they deserve.
