Hair of the dog is not an option!
Hangovers wreak major havoc on your body even after the alcohol clears your system. They can stick around for 8 to 24 hours and goodness only knows once I had one that felt it was in my system for 2 days!!! Not that I am a big drinker by any means, just this weakened immune system and peri-menopausal body is far from the toxic shifting machine it was in years gone by!
Researchers remain far less certain about how to beat a hangover. A systematic review in the British Medical Journal looked at eight randomized control trials about preventing and/ or treating hangovers and came to the conclusion that : “No compelling evidence exists to suggest that any conventional or complementary intervention is effective for preventing or treating alcohol hangover,” researchers wrote. “The most effective way to avoid the symptoms of alcohol induced hangover is to practice abstinence or moderation.” Well yes, but what was once moderate to me is now a recipe for a hangover, so as ever-changing unique systems we have to pay close attention to what moderation means to us right now . It is not what your friend or anyone else calls moderate, it´s what your body can handle without being heavily compromised. Abstinence I think we would all agree seems to be the most fail-safe option for avoiding hangovers.
These 10 top holistic strategies can lessen the brutal aftermath of hitting “the grog”.
- Water
Among major hangover culprits DEHYDRATION reigns supreme. You’re probably already dehydrated before you take that first glass, so alcohol merely compounds that effect. Simply put try to make sure you have a well hydrated body and mind at all times. The My Body Journal and the My Food Journal both have water consumption diagrams for you to monitor and tick-off your daily H20 consumption. Click here for the My Body Journal.
- Magnesium
Studies show magnesium can relieve various types of headache and nausea. We can easily become magnesium depleted by alcohol use. Magnesium-rich foods such as dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds, fish, avocados, bananas and dark chocolate may help you avoid headaches. Also magnesium supplements and an Epsom salt ( that´s magnesium sulphate ) bath will both help to melt away some of that hangover pain . Click here for my Epsom Salts article. You can also by it from Amazon – Epsom Salt 10 kg – 2 x 5Kg Bags
- Coconut water
When you drink alcohol you pee and sweat more, heaven forbid you might even vomit …yikes! Besides dehydration, alcohol triggers electrolyte imbalances. Coconut water’s electrolytes replenish the body’s water levels after dehydration.
- Protein
Among its many roles, dietary protein helps balance blood sugar and protects your immune system. Without sufficient protein, your liver can’t detoxify, which can spell real problems after a hangover. If the thought of food makes you want to hurl, try a shake with plenty of antioxidant-rich foods like berries, flax-seed and raw greens.
- Sulfur-rich foods
This mineral plays a big role in detoxification, and your liver needs all the help it can get after a heavy nights drinking. Eggs, garlic, onions, and cruciferous veggies are among your best sulfur-rich rock stars.
- Sleep
This is the worst part, when you finally hit the sack and know that you need sleep but after a few short hours the alcohol tells you it´s party time.! If it´s not the your liver arousing you, it´s daylight, your usual wake pattern, the kids, the cat or the neighbours! The liver tends to detox and replenish between 4 and 5am so it´s going to wake you up ( if you´re asleep by then ) to get rid of toxins ( pee etc ) and re-hydrate ( needs water ) . Sleep deprivation only exacerbates a hangover’s misery, so aim for at least eight hours’ sleep after you’ve had a liquid night out and always have a pint of water before you go to bed and keep some on the bed-side table.
- Green tea
Among the zillion of other things it’s good for, organic green tea helps your over-stressed liver . Green tea contains a calming amino acid called theanine, which studies show can benefit mental alertness too. So once you´re up and about, green tea consumption can really help out that fuzzy-head feeling.
- Alkalizing green drinks
One of the easiest and simplest things you can do is to start your day with something that is alkaline, detoxifying, very nourishing, easy to digest, and easy to make . I make my morning shake in the bullet -blender with coconut water, a banana, mango or berries and a big teaspoon of spirulina powder. This is the organic powder I use and it packs a nutrient-rich punch – Naturya Organic Spirulina Powder 200 g Nutritional Power Food Pouch
- An Infra-red sauna
Sweating is the body’s safe and natural way to heal & stay healthy. An Infra-red sauna benefits the body by heating it directly causing a rise in core temperature resulting in a deep, detoxifying sweat at the cellular level, where toxins reside.You only need 15 to 30 minutes and as long as you have water at hand the toxins are going to pour out.
- Gentle exercise such as walking and stretching whilst really focusing on your breath. Inhale love and exhale toxins!
I feel sure all these top holistic tips will help you if you´ve over-indulged in any way, but particularly keep your eye on the amount you are drinking and make sure you get loads of H20 before, during and after an alcoholic session.