Yesterday was rough. Let’s just say that girls night turned into crazy night toward the end. The girls and I drank a couple drinks too many, and we were all 100% messes the next day.
That definitely took me back to my college days, and I must say, I don’t know how I coped with a hangover while trying to write papers. Yikes. I couldn’t even manage to get out of bed for more than some water or to go the bathroom. I guess I’m getting old. Well, since I want to stay hangover-free for as long as possible, I’m writing a short little post about how to avoid the dreaded beastly hangover. Hopefully, I can practice what I preach.
How to Avoid a Hangover
1. Limits – You should roughly know how many drinks you plan on having. Even if you get to your limit and you “don’t feel drunk,” don’t keep drinking. Sometimes being drunk can creep up on you, and if you have more and more drinks, you’ll be a hot mess in no time.
2. High-Quality H20 – Every time you finish a drink, get a glass of water. Alcohol is severely dehydrating, and that contributes to that ghastly hangover that’s waiting for you in the morning. If you don’t want people to know that you’re drinking water, ask for a bit of lemon and a straw.
3. Never Ever Mix – This was my problem. After a couple margaritas, someone had the bright idea to order shots. In my head, I knew I should turn it down but I didn’t. The shot was definitely not tequila (which is what is in margaritas) so it didn’t sit well. Rule: Stick to one alcohol.
4. Keep that Tummy Full – Before you start drinking, I’d recommend that you eat a piece of toast and some butter. Drinking on an empty stomach can make you drunk faster, and can lead to some unpleasant dry heaves in the morning. Plus, drinking causes you to lower your inhibitions, making you more likely to get White Castle at 4 am.
Granted, you can do all of this and still end up with a hangover. Sometimes we over-drink, sometimes something just doesn’t sit right and sometimes things just don’t go as planned. The only thing we can do is learn from the situation and try to feel better as soon as possible.
Here are some of my tips for fighting off a hangover:
1. Ginger Ale – This drink is my savior if I’m hung over, or just not feeling well. It calms your stomach, and it’s actually really tasty. If you don’t have any in your home, just put a couple teaspoons of ginger in some water and mix.
2. Rest – There is no miracle cure for a hangover, and it will take time to overcome it. The best way to do this is by resting. Get in your bed, turn off the television and sleep. Your body needs it.
3. Carbs – Though it’s really difficult to shove food down your throat when you’re feeling awful, your body does need it. Stick to things like bread, crackers, a little bit of peanut butter, etc.
4. Water Bottle – Ginger ale may be my recommendation, but there’s no substitute for water. It’ll help rehydrate your body, so make sure to keep drinking it throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you if necessary.
So there you have it. My tricks of the trade for preventing a hangover and dealing with one. 🙂
Do you have any hangover tips? Have you had a hangover before?
Raven Waves 
I make sure to take 2 or 3 ibuprofen with a glass of water before bed, and in the morning I take alka seltzer. It works for me every time.
Yikes feel better! I feel your pain, I was a blob of nothing on Sunday morning/all day. Something I’ve realized that helps (but is totalllly unhealthy) is to have 2 pieces of white bread before you go to bed when you know you’ve had a few too many 😉
I ALWAYS chug a bottle of water before bed if I drink, no matter how much. But the water in between trick really helps, too! 🙂
I always chug water before bed!! And eat something greasy when I wake up 🙂
I always chug a glass of water and take 2 ibprofuens before going to sleep. I just read about Coconut Water on Healthy Tipping Point and how hydrating it is so I wonder if drinking that instead of plaing water the morning after would help cure any headache or dehyrdation.
Great tips! Being hungover just ruins my whole day & any plans for exercise are gone or very limited. I always drink a TON of water before bed and stick to either beer or wine. I avoid shots & mixed drinks just cause they make me feel so gross.
You need a girls’ night like that every one in a while 😉
I try to drink lots of water and exercise to prevent a hangover from getting too bad. I find chocolate helps pretty good as well…
I love this post 🙂 When I drink, I always chug water before bed and pop an Ibuprofen. If I’m hung over the next day? Greasy fast food is always on the menu 🙂
Good tips! You need bad food the next day, bacon is always good and a big glass of coco-cola. Maccy D’s usually does the trick too 🙂
all great tips!!!! I use a lot of these methods (ok all of them! i like my liquids!) and they really do help and work! ❤
my new trick is to eat something with veggies and calcium beforehand and also make sure I have a kombucha with ginger in the morning. fizzy annnnnd nuturing! gingerade kombucha FTW! ❤
Last weekend, my husband tried to get me to drink a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage. Whatever, that was not happening!!! But it is probably the most effective way to prevent a hangover (um, except for drinking less).
Everytime I drink I say I’m getting old too! haha I try to just stick to one or two drinks so that I don’t waste an entire day bed (I’ve done that way too many times). 🙂
I always drink water in between drinks and when I drink a lot I make sure to eat a lot too, that really helps. I feel as you get older your body doesn’t handle drinks as well as it use to at a younger age.
I’ve only had 2 really bad hangovers and that was because I start mixing my drinks. Always a bad move lol I just gotta wait it out and take an advil =/
I never used to get as bad hangovers as I feel I get now! Ugh getting older. Even though it seems contradictory, I think one of my favorite things to do when I’m feeling rough from a night out is to go outside. Sunlight and fresh air really cure the stuffy feeling I get. Also a long nap!
Totally agree that you should never drink while hungry/on an empty stomach…not from experience or anything! 😉
Hangovers are the reason I don’t drink and why I act like an 80 year old. I hate them with a passion, and I get very intense ones! I hope you feel better! 🙂
I’ve definitely had a hangover before. Sleeping it off it what helps me 🙂 and lots of nut butter 🙂
I made my housemate read this…considering she has gone out everyday but yesterday of this week.
I wish I was joking ha.
I wish I would have known these things a few years ago haah 🙂 thanks for the info, hangovers are the WORST
I agree with never mixing. I have had some pretty wicked hangovers back in my college days, but not since (thankfully)! I like drinking lots of water, taking an advil and drinking juice like the Naked Green Juice to help replenish the lost nutrients my body needs back!
I get NASTY hangovers. I don’t drink often, and that’s a major reason why! I am totally out of commission the day after a few too many drinks.
Pump the water before bed, and with it take some pain killers and multivitamin. Then I eat a banana in the morning and keep with the fluids. Hangovers are merely extreme dehydration!