By Emily McLaughlin
Out all night on Friday? Want to do it again Saturday? You are in college. It is okay to hit the bars on the weekend and drink to your heart’s content, just make sure you are ready to deal with the repercussions—the hangover.
Everyone has had his or her fair share of hangovers, but it does not have to be all that bad. Here are some tips and tricks to waking up sans regrets.
Fuel up before drinking
In college and on a budget? That is no excuse for skipping dinner before a night of drinking. Sure the strictly liquid diet will help you feel more festive with less alcohol, but you will feel the pain in the morning. Make sure you fuel up before hitting the bars, and have a light snack near the end of your night.
What to drink
Try to drink beverages on the lighter end of the spectrum. Darker booze contains more congeners, chemicals that up inflammation in the body, intensifying your hangover. If you are drinking mixed drinks, you may assume that it would be healthier to add diet soda, but diet soda empties out of your stomach more quickly, making you feel a buzz much faster. Also, avoid using energy drinks as mixers since the caffeine makes you feel less intoxicated and you may not realize when you have reached your limit.
Before bed rituals
When you walk in the door at home, head straight for the Brita. Drink a few glasses of water to combat dehydration. Before snuggling up, remember to wash your hands and face. Sleep may be the only thing on your mind, but it is important to wash of germs from the bar or party you previously attended. Alcohol suppresses T cells, which the body needs to defend itself.
Sleep in
It is hard to get a good sleep after a night out, but sleeping late might just help you bypass post-party pain. Shut of your alarm, and get as much sleep as you possibly can.
For breakfast
Choose ibuprofen, a tall glass of water and maybe some eggs if you can stomach it—definitely don’t reach for the Bloody Mary or Mimosa. The alcohol-fix in the morning will only temporarily relieve your symptoms. Replacing the calories with a light breakfast is best. I choose eggs because they contain cysteine, a substance that breaks down acetaldehyde (which is a hangover-causing toxin in found in alcohol). A breakfast of scrambled eggs, or egg on toast has never failed me. If that sounds unappetizing, force down something light.
Hit the gym
Flush the alcohol out of your system with a little exercise. Just remember to keep it light (yoga, a brisk walk, pilates) because what you body is really craving is rest. Other things to remember are 1.) STAY HYDRATED and 2.) You could be behind on your nutrition, so do not overdo it.
So, it is okay to drink, but it is not okay to suffer a nasty hangover. Try these tips next weekend to keep your morning-after aches to a minimum, making you more productive and far less miserable.
