Ease the morning-after-the-night-before pain ...
A pounding head, churning stomach and a mouth as dry as the Sahara Desert - it must be the morning after the night before. Here are some healthy hangover cures that don't involve a feed from the local takeaway.
Head under the pillow
Don't despair – you might have blown your chances of promotion for the next six months but there's no need to blow your diet as well. Contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely no proof that wallowing in a greasy fry up and Bloody Mary will cure a hangover.
In fact, it's a complete myth that a full-on breakfast dripping with fat is the best way to counteract the effects of a drinking binge.
So how do you banish a hangover instantly? Well, the bad news is, you can't. But while there are no miracle cures for the after-effects of alcohol, there are a few things you can do to get on the path to recovery.
And the good news is, all of them are low in fat. Check out this morning-after action plan:
1. Drink lots of water
When you wake up feeling parched after a drinking session, give in to that instinct to gulp lots of water. It's the best and most effective way of flushing alcohol out of your system – and therefore flushing away that nasty hangover.
Alcohol is a toxin in the body. We get rid of it through enzymes in the liver and it is a diuretic, which means that it makes us produce more dilute urine. So we need to drink more fluid to flush it out of our body.
When you're out drinking, it's a good idea to try and alternate alcoholic drinks with a diet soft drink or water. This stops the effects of alcohol being so pronounced, plus keeps you hydrated, which is the number one hangover cause.
2. Eat something
Drinking alcohol affects your ability to sleep well, so it's likely that the next morning your energy levels will be low and you may be feeling drained. It's a good idea to replace some of that energy by eating.
If you are one of the many that swears by a cooked breakfast the morning after a big drinking session, why not try a healthy version of the traditional fry-up?
Swap fried fatty bacon for grilled lean bacon, a slice of wholegrain toast, served with grilled tomatoes and mushrooms and maybe even a poached egg. With a small glass of fruit juice, this is an excellent way to revitalise your energy levels - and stock up on essential nutrients.
3. Go for a walk
Any form of exercise will probably sound about as appealing as letting someone jump up and down on your head. But while no-one is suggesting a full-on aerobics session, a gentle walk might help boost your spirits.
Strenuous exercise isn't a good idea because it will add to feelings of dehydration. But a walk is a good way of getting some fresh air back into your body.
4. Stay in bed
When all else fails, give in to the doona urge and crawl back under for a few hours extra sleep.
Do you have any home remedies for a hangover? Enter your comments below.
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