If you’re hungover at work wondering if you’ll ever see the light at the end of the tunnel, I feel your pain.
I am the girl that gets terrible hangovers. They are so bad that I have thrown up on the London Underground, over the back of a boat in Barbados and in the toilets of a plane out of Las Vegas. Now post people say to me “Why do you drink if you’re like this the next day?” but seriously, why does anyone drink? Because at the time it feels good, and once I’ve had one whiskey and coke I don’t always now when to stop myself.
I feel like I’ve become the queen of bad hangovers, which is why I’ve become rather an expert on how to handle them. So to help you get rid of your nausea and speed up the recovery process, here are my top tips for how to stop feeling sick from a hangover:
Chug gatorade and electrolytes
Doctors will tell you you need to hydrate, but sometimes water just won’t cut it. Personally I’m not a big fan of water anyway because it tastes like nothing, so gatorade is the perfect alternative. Sports drinks are packed with electrolytes so they’re a good way to replenish and restore the balance in your body. I always keep a pack of Dioralyte electrolytes handy – these are powder sachets that are usually used to treat dehydration from diarrhoea, but they work on hangovers too.
Drink coconut water
Coconut water is also an excellent choice to keep you hydrated, since it contains more potassium than a banana and can help you replenish those electrolyte levels. Plus it just tastes so healthy and refreshing when your mouth is as dry as the Sahara desert.
Try Berocca
I swear by this stuff. In fact my cousin left boxes of Berocca in the cottages for all the guests at his wedding. Berocca is basically a tube of effervescent vitamin tablets containing B vitamins and vitamin C – it’s said to help you release your energy & pantothenic acid which contributes to mental performance. Just drop one of these into a glass of water then guzzle it and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Have crystallised ginger
Ginger has long been known to be a great cure for nausea caused by pregnancy, motion sickness and hangovers. You can drink ginger tea or eat crystallised ginger to help settle your stomach and stop the vomiting.
Vomit if you need to
If you feel sick, just let it all out. Your body is trying to get rid of toxins, so they’ll need to come out one way or another. Sometimes if I vomit I instantly feel better, other times I’m vomiting into the toilet all day. Either way, if you’re feeling nauseous don’t fight it, and don’t be embarrassed about people hearing you. We’ve all been there.
Eat some nutrients
Most people will tell you to eat a greasy meal to line your stomach. Personally I’m not one of those people that feels better after a McDonalds. What you want to do is fill your body with plenty of nutrients, like vegetables and fruits that are full of antioxidants. Asparagus is particularly good for you, so try to incorporate this into a meal. Don’t believe me? Check out this article about asparagus being a scientifically proven hangover cure.
Take a hot shower
Somehow, I always feel better after a hot shower. Particularly if I’m in Europe where smoking in clubs is still legal, because then I can get the smell of cigarette smoke out of my hair. Wash last night’s mascara off your face, feel the hot water on your skin and hopefully you’ll feel like a new woman/man.
Try to sleep
Trying to get sleep on a hangover is an absolute nightmare. It’s like your stuck in purgatory between this state of being so, so tired and yet being so, so awake. I find I wake up super early when I’m hungover simply because my body is screaming for water and nutrients. Take an ibuprofen to kill the headache straight away, and if you’re lucky enough to have a Xanax prescription, then take one.
