Hangover aftercare

Charlie Oldroyd, Online Tech Editor, offers their advice on looking after our bodies after a night out

AS a student, if you choose to indulge in alcohol on a night out, the chances are you have experienced a killer hangover at least once. From my personal experiences and the expertise of the internet, I have compiled easy steps to recover from a night out.

It may seem self-explanatory, but a good night’s sleep (or afternoon nap) can help counteract the negative symptoms of a hangover. Healthy sleep before and after drinking makes it easier to bounce back to normal life.

When nursing a hangover you may experience high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as ‘hangxiety’ which can negatively impact your wellbeing. Eight hours of deep REM sleep starts to repair the body so you can wake up feeling refreshed and healthy whilst maintaining your psychological wellbeing.

Sometimes you might feel too nauseous to rest, so replacing sleep with acts of meditation and mindfulness might help to stop the room spinning and leave you with a sense of peace. I’d recommend putting on your favourite play- list and unwinding, or delta waves and brown noise to quiet your mind and allow you to relax.

Another cardinal rule of hangover care is to rehydrate! To avoid nausea take small sips of water, and as you start to recover consider a wealth of beverages designed to help you recharge. Drink caffeine (sparingly) for a burst of energy to fight grogginess. My favourite hangover cure is a cup of green tea! I love the way it tastes, and the antioxidants leave me feeling refreshed and ready to combat an early seminar. If you don’t like hot drinks but still want a caffeine boost, the Japanese method of Koridashi allows you to brew tea leaves over ice cubes for a sweeter and more refreshing morning cuppa. Other choices include isotonic energy drinks or Smartwater, which contains electrolytes for expedited hydration.

Even though you might not feel up to a big breakfast, eating a carbohydrate dense meal is important to feel healthy and energetic during the day. You might choose something simple like toast, but my favourite is