I’m not twenty one anymore, a sad fact that my alcoholism won’t seem to get on board with. This means that when I have a night out on the town it often takes days for me to recover. I feel, after much research and practice, that I have the perfect formula for fast hang over recovery. The plan is three-fold.
BEFORE
* Eat food. Something healthy and in the form of good carbohydrates. Like grainy bread, porridge or brown rice. Sushi is a pretty perfect pre-drinking meal.
* Drink water. Lots of it.
* Have a Berocca or similar water dissolvable vitamin B supplement.
DURING
* Drink water. Lots of it.
* Try to stick to one drink. I used to think this was an urban drinking myth but after years of self testing I’ve come to realise there’s merit to this rule.
* If you choose to drink spirits go easy on sugary mixers. You don’t need a sugar hangover on top of the alcohol one.
* If you’re having a lengthy drinking session, try to have an hour break with no alcohol. Have a mineral water, go for a walk, have a dance. It makes such difference.
* Do not go to bed drunk. This is really difficult to achieve sometimes but if you can get to at least a semi-sober state before you collapse into bed you will have a better sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and less like someone ground your brains.
* Before bed, have as much water as you can physically drink and another a Berocca.
AFTER
* Drink water. Again, as much as you can handle. Ridiculous amounts. Your body needs it, I promise.
* Have another Berocca and some electrolyte powder. You can buy it at the chemist and it’s generally used for severe dehydration after sickness but it’s a miracle for hangovers as it completely re-hydrates you.
* Eat carefully. Try fresh fruit and vegetables, pure juice and some wholegrain toast. A banana smoothie is also fantastic as bananas are full of potassium which is fantastic for hangovers. Try this recipe –
250 mls low fat milk
2 bananas
1 tblsp honey
cinnamon
nutmeg
handfull of ice
Throw all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
* Try to get moving. I find hangovers are so much worse if you give in to them. Go for coffee, do a gentle gym session, clean the house.
* This is a very, very unofficial suggestion because I liken sports drinks to cyanide but if you’re desperate try a blue Powerade. Only blue. And only in emergencies.
Have happy hangovers!
Love Lady Smaggle
xxx
P.S I recently got sent the book Fit, Healthy and Intoxicated by one of my favourite readers and it’s hilarious. A must read for hardened drinkers.