Since the dawn of drinking, man has been on a quest to find the best hangover cure. There’s no shortage of advice on what helps a hangover, but college co-eds and scientists are still to this day divided on the most effective forms of relief. Our research team turned to scientific data, urban legends, and our own personal experience to collect a hand full of hangover remedies into one complete hangover cure, to keep you winning after a night of championship drinking. Although this game plan requires several strategic plays, it’s easy, fool proof, mobile, and the absolute best way to get over a hangover.
Pre-Game
These hangover tips require you to have several supplies on hand. All of them are available at the grocery store, and even 24 hour drugstores. We recommend pulling everything together the night before, if not days in advance. Since none of the items are perishable, it’s a good idea to keep everything stocked in your cabinets all the time, in multiple quantities. That way, if a friend sends you a message on the weeknight, and you find your self in the club on a Tuesday, you’ll be ready to go in time for work the next day.
Step 1 – Water
Your best friend on a night of heavy drinking, other than Misty from Syracuse that’s in town for “a meeting”, is water. You must consume 8 oz servings of water at these specific times:
Before you start drinking
After every two drinks
After your last drink
First thing when you wake up the next day
This is the groundwork for all other steps in the hangover cure, so if you truly have your eyes on the prize, you’ll complete the water step without modification. On the morning of your hangover, after the first glass of water, wait 5-10 minutes before continuing to step 2.
Step 2 – Chewable Pepto
Calming your stomach is an important part of achieving hangover relief. Unless you can tackle food and liquids in your stomach, you’ll fail. Because liquids are a big part of the other steps, chewable Pepto Bismol tablets are highly recommended. Pepto is great for a number of symptoms, including upset stomach and diarrhea, and even the flavor of this over-the-counter classic is relaxing. Wash down with 8 oz of room temperature water. Wait 10 minutes.
Step 3 – Beef Ramen with Turmeric
Drinking depletes your body of water and nutrients. Consuming salt helps your body retain water, and re-hydrate more efficiently. So it’s time to heat up some water, and make prepackaged, super-cheap beef ramen. The beef style is best, due to mild flavor and salt content that’s off the charts. If queasiness isn’t one of your symptoms, and some red pepper flakes to jump start your metabolism. Another trick to taking hangover foods to the next level is adding turmeric. New research suggests that hangovers, in part, may be a physical response to alcohol toxicity, increasing inflammation in the body. The herb turmeric, available in any supermarket, is proven to reduce inflammation, and has been used as a remedy for arthritis and swelling for centuries. Stir in up to 1 tablespoon of turmeric to your beef ramen broth, and you’ll end up with a double-punch quick hangover cure. Bonus Tip! If the noodles go down easy, take a dose of ibuprofen. Make sure your stomach is feeling good before you do, as ibuprofen can cause cramps if you take it without food.
Step 4 – Grapefruit Juice & Electrolyte Tablets
It’s time for more hydration! Bottled drinks with too much added sugar can make your blood sugar spike, so it’s not the best option. Grapefruit juice is naturally high in electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium, and the fresh squeezed variety is much lower in sugar than a sports drink. Electrolyte tablets, available in the first aid section of the supermarket or drugstore, are the best way to get a controlled dosage of what your body needs to restore.
Step 5 – 20 Minute Nap
Now that you’ve got nutrients and fluid in your system, your body needs a chance to recharge. You may feel like skipping this step, but more sleep is actually one of the most effective cures for hangovers. You might even get up earlier than you normally would for work, complete steps 1 through 4, then crawl back under the covers before getting ready. Your body will want to hit the snooze button, but don’t let the hangover win. Sleep for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours, if you’ve got the time to spare.
Step 6 – Workout
Don’t close this tab just yet! I know it seems crazy to think about working out with a hangover, but getting the body moving works like magic. Alcohol is a depressant, and slows many functions of the body, including endorphin release. Light exercise will get your body going again, releasing those pleasure-giving hormones and getting everything else back on track, as well. Drink at least 10 ounces of water while you exercise, and work out for at least 10-20 minutes.
Post Game
Stay focused, and this entire hangover cure should only take about 90 minutes to complete, at which time you should be well on your way to feeling normal. If you wake up too late, there’s also the “my cat threw up on the floor” excuse for being late to work, which will bide you some time. For weekend benders, go slow. This hangover cure works best when completed in full, so plan ahead, and practice on a long weekend, so you can champion the process when game day arrives.
Rodney is a seasoned writer who’s focus is finding joy in everyday life. He loves to help people live life to the fullest. His motto is – Enjoy life, wine, and great cocktails.
