Have you woken up today with a pounding headache and a deep sense of regret? Congratulations, you’re officially celebrating International Hangover Day.
But don’t worry - help is at hand. Whatever hangover is plaguing you, here’s the lowdown on how to fix each one.
1. The Completely Unfair And Disproportionate One.
I only had one bottle of wine, HOW is this the proportionate response? This is the universe giving you all the hangovers you’ve been storing up for the last 10 years. Dark room. Bed. Do not even attempt to leave the house.
Quick Fix: You need Berocca/Ibuprofen/Lucozade like there is no tomorrow. Because literally your brain feels like there is no tomorrow.
2. The ‘Creeps Up On You At 5pm’ One.
You’re at work and been bossing your to-do-list. No one would even guess you were out till 3 o’clock this morning. Then all of a sudden you realise you’ve been drunk this whole time and it’s only now the hangover has reared it’s head.
Quick Fix: You promised yourself that you weren’t going to have any more caffeine today, but Starbucks is the only way out of this dark hole.
3. The Toilet One.
How much can one person be sick before it’s truly a medical concern? Spend the whole day in the foetal position on the bathroom floor.
Quick Fix: Your mum. Phone her now. She is the only person cut out for this.
4. The “Can You Die From A Hangover” One.
This is the hangover that always produces the “I will never drink again” claims. In fact you wonder how you’ll ever get out of this horizontal position ever again let alone get anywhere near a bar.
Quick Fix: Science may not back this up, but moaning to as many people about your hangover as possible is PROVEN to make it better. Well, that and Supernoodles. (Chicken flavour, obviously).
5. The Seven-Meals-In-One-Day Hangover.
There is only one thing that is going to make this carousel of nightmares go away, and that’s food. A fuck-load of it.
Quick Fix: Today is the day you deserve all the carbohydrates and can clear the contents of the fridge. There is no shame in having a full fry-up, jacket potato, sausages and mash, a curry and Dominos.
6. The Suspiciously Spritely One.
You feel fine, not even an indication of a hangover. You feel smug. Body I owe you one.
Quick Fix: You don’t need a fix, but you should carpe diem the hell out of today. Leave the house, be productive, make plans. Be your most sparkly, unicorn self because this one comes round once in a lifetime.
Please drink responsibly. For the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
Hangover Cures: Do They Work?
Eating Some Asparagus(01 of09)
Open Image ModalIncreasing Water Intake(02 of09)
Open Image ModalDrinking plenty of water or other hydrating fluids is a simple way to treat hangovers. While it won't offer a complete hangover cure, it definitely helps. "Alcohol thins the blood, which is 70 percent water, so it can affect the fluid balance," says Pete McCall, M.S., an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. "Drinking water helps restore necessary fluids and can help the bloodstream and circulatory system carry nutrients and oxygen to the tissue and remove the wastes from a night of excessive consumption." (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="12" data-vars-position-in-unit="13">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40221692@N06/7749343790" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="StuffNThings" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40221692@N06/7749343790" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="13" data-vars-position-in-unit="14">StuffNThings</a>)
Guzzling Sports Drinks(03 of09)
Open Image ModalHere again, the extra electrolytes -- really just salts and sugars -- found in sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade might give them an edge over plain old water to treat a hangover. "Sports drinks will elevate blood glucose and can elevate sodium levels, which helps muscle cells uptake and use water, leading to quicker rehydration," says McCall. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85181010@N02/8211866124" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="caseylmphotography" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/85181010@N02/8211866124" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="11" data-vars-position-in-unit="12">caseylmphotography</a>)
Loading Up On Vitamins And Minerals(04 of09)
Open Image ModalCarolyn Dean, M.D., N.D., medical director of the Nutritional Magnesium Association, says that vitamin C and magnesium can help the body break down alcohol and eliminate it from the body, making these two supplements a viable hangover remedy. “One of the most absorbable forms of nutritional magnesium is magnesium citrate powder, which can be taken with hot or cold water,” says Dean. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="9">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35423169@N00/3197037724" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="SuperFantastic" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35423169@N00/3197037724" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">SuperFantastic</a>)
Sipping A Cup Of Joe(05 of09)
Open Image ModalThe caffeine found in a classic cup of coffee can give you a short-term boost, but its dehydrating effects could limits its effectiveness as a hangover cure, says Weiss. "Caffeine, which could wake you up, can also dehydrate you, potentially making the situation worse," he says. Though having coffee has only temporary and limited effects, it remains a popular way to initially ease a hangover. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29166380@N07/7379515562" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="cooper.gary" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29166380@N07/7379515562" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">cooper.gary</a>)
Knocking Back Some Hair Of The Dog(06 of09)
Open Image Modal"Hair of the dog," or waking up and having another alcoholic drink, may be a feel-good hangover cure (at least temporarily), but this traditional college approach to ease a hangover really doesn't help. "If an individual is planning to be active, recreationally or competitively, this is not a good idea at all," says McCall. "Drinking more alcohol will continue to disrupt blood chemistry and hydration, as well as impair cognitive function and muscular coordination." (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34083669@N07/7433681028" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="BethOlsonCreative" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34083669@N07/7433681028" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">BethOlsonCreative</a>)
Wolfing Down Greasy Food(07 of09)
Open Image ModalA greasy breakfast for a hangover remedy may give your body a short-term boost. "Besides glucose, alcohol reduces the amount of circulating free fatty acids in the bloodstream," says McCall. "A breakfast high in carbohydrate and fat content can help to elevate blood glucose and free fatty acid levels in the short term." However, for the long term, it’s not such a good idea. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="3">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44304926@N07/7897645242" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="chilebeans" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/44304926@N07/7897645242" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="4">chilebeans</a>)
Pushing Through A Workout(08 of09)
Open Image ModalOf all the possible and popular hangover cures, experts say that this one works the best, improving circulation and pumping up your mood-boosting hormones. The only hurdle is talking yourself into doing it. If you can, McCall has this advice: "Exercising during a hangover should be limited to low-to-moderate intensity exercise, since the hangover will negatively impact cognitive ability, motor control and coordination." (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="1">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78428166@N00/8149192477" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Tobyotter" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="57a44e81e4b04ca9b5d2971a" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/78428166@N00/8149192477" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="2">Tobyotter</a>)
Getting Busy In The Bedroom(09 of09)
Open Image ModalHere again, a little morning romp may make you feel much better to ease a hangover -- if you can psych yourself (and your partner) up for it. "Sex with a hangover may be tough for all of the reasons we have discussed," says Weiss. "I've never seen any data to support its use for hangover, but there is no harm in trying." (credit:Shutterstock)