Whether you like it or not, Thanksgiving comes with the inevitable turkey-induced food coma. But let us not forget that, with holiday dining also comes holiday boozing, and going shot for shot with the fam can lead to one doozy of a headache afterward. The post-feast sleepy vibes are nothing compared to the beer, wine, or hard cider hangover that ensues just in time for Black Friday shopping. Whether your post-Turkey Day plans are to hit the mall early, or marathon cheesy Hallmark Christmas films, you might want a few Thanksgiving hangover cures in your back pocket to nurse you back to health.
I learned all about hangovers the hard way during my college party days. I have to admit, though, that by enduring the menacing nausea and headaches, I've become very in-tune with my body, and I now know exactly how to nurse it properly after a night of getting my drank on. Water is a must, breakfast a close second, and even though the mere thought of working out is cringeworthy when you're seeing double, getting my body up and moving definitely helps me to recuperate.
Personally, I don't drink more than a glass or two of my sister's specialty cranberry sangria on Thanksgiving, so my days of boozy holiday celebrations are long gone. But for those of you banking on being a little shwasty for the long weekend, here are a few foolproof tricks to curb even the worst symptoms.
Alcohol might give you a buzz but, like caffeine, booze can severely dehydrate your body. Gastrolyte reports that because alcohol decreases your body's natural production of anti-diuretic hormones that absorb water, you're most likely to lose fluids through urination or, "breaking the seal," as the kids say.
Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, and founder of Nutritious Life tells Elite Daily that symptoms like headaches, weakness, and nausea are most likely direct results of dehydration after a night of drinking. So, if you know Thanksgiving for your squad is less of a feast and more of a drinking fest, strategically place two bottles of water on your bedside table: one to sip before bed, and one to down before breakfast.
I'll admit, I'm as basic as they come. When I wake up after a night of drinking, I'll be first in line at the bagel store for an egg and cheese sandwich with a large coffee to go. Even though there's nothing more satisfying than sopping up any remaining alcohol in the system with carbs on carbs, Sarah Greenfield, RD, CSSD, director of education for HUM Nutrition, says this is not the first step to recovery (bummer).
It's definitely important to rehydrate with a ton of water, but according to Greenfield, adding soothing elements and probiotics to your first sip of the day can be extremely beneficial. "I like to mix one cup of water, a quarter-cup aloe vera juice, one tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and one teaspoon powdered probiotics, or you can open a capsule of probiotics and empty them into the drink," she tells Elite Daily.
Your body is essentially sending out an SOS after a night of alcohol consumption, so it's going to crave beverages that are hydrating and healing. Aloe juice is full of soothing properties and stimulates healthy digestion. Apple cider vinegar can also enhance digestion, while a serving of probiotics will boost the immune system.
Nausea definitely kills an appetite, and if you wake up feeling queasy, I'm willing to bet breakfast is the least of your worries. Still, the truth stands: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially when you're nursing a nasty hangover.
Obviously, if you're feeling physically sick, I'd advise holding off on a large meal and sticking to the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) until your stomach starts to feel better. But if you're holding off on a normal-size breakfast for the sake of "cleansing," Glassman says it's actually more beneficial to eat a high-protein breakfast, such as an egg scramble, to "keep you more satisfied throughout the day, help regulate your blood sugar, and help get back into a normal routine."
I know what you're probably thinking: "I can barely walk or stomach saltines when I'm hungover, and this girl wants me to exercise?"
Listen, I'm not saying you should go all #BeastMode and muddle through some kind of HIIT routine before enduring some intensive retail cardio on Black Friday. I am, however, suggesting you nurse your body with light activity.
According to Greenfield, twisting yoga poses are wonderful for digestion. Even something as simple as power-walking with a friend can wake up your metabolism and "stimulate the digestive track, encouraging foods from the night before to move on and out."
HUM Nutrition Wing Man, $25, Dermstore
Generally speaking, aspirin eases headaches temporarily, but your body needs more than a quick fix in order to restore balance to your system after a night of drinking.
Greenfield tells Elite Daily that HUM Nutrition's Wing Man supplement makes for an excellent Thanksgiving hangover cure. Made with dandelion root extract, artichoke, and milk thistle, pop two capsules to detoxify the liver and balance digestion.
Morning Recovery 6 Pack, $30, Morning Recovery Drink
That's right y'all, there's actually a way to potentially bypass any sign of a hangover before it even has a chance to wreak havoc on your body.
The concept behind Morning Recovery's detoxifying beverage is to allow you the chance to have that second or third glass of wine without suffering any repercussions later on. The best part is, you don't have to wait until morning to start sipping. Simply chase your celebratory drink of choice with a bottle of Morning Recovery, or down a serving just before bed.
Founder and CEO of Morning Recovery Sisun Lee tells Elite Daily that the science behind the drink lies in its key ingredient, DHM, which naturally flushes alcohol out of your system before the hangover can set in.
Cheers to that, amirite?
