We've all been there . . . in fact, many of us more than we'd like to admit. But when the champagne is flowing at those holiday parties, it's easy to drink, drink, and be merry. And if you happen to have imbibed a bit too much, luckily there are ways to look good the day after, even if you don't feel it. Find out how you can turn that hangover around with these helpful tips.
Not sleeping enough makes you grumpy. Drink too much, you feel hungover. Overeating makes you feel stuffed — or worse. Basically, when you do something your body doesn't like, you will feel the negative effects.
The pattern should be obvious enough, and yet we're constantly making bad choices that try to challenge the result. Whenever I do something my body doesn't like, I try to remember the unpleasant feeling, so I can recall it the next time I'm about to order another cocktail or pig out on Doritos. We all make unhealthy choices from time to time, so don't beat yourself up over it. Just recognize that your body is trying to tell you something.
I can only think of one exception to the rule: muscle soreness after a great workout. In those cases, you might hurt because you pushed yourself a little, which is OK. However, it might also mean you're not warming up enough or stretching properly after your workout, so don't ignore those signals either. Can you think of any other exceptions to the "what's bad for you feels bad" theory?
Allow me to be the first person, morning after, to say Happy New Year and welcome to the new decade! Hopefully you celebrated in high style last night. Though if you did, there's a serious chance that you might be a little, well, under the weather today. No worries, because I've got just the thing for that hangover. Here are 10 meal suggestions that'll be sure to have you feeling better in no time.
Holiday parties don't have to mean drinking too much and stuffing yourself silly. It's all about the choices you make. I've already offered a number of ways to prevent hangovers, but here's a less scientific strategy: put down your drink and hit the dance floor.
Dancing at a holiday party keeps you away from the booze and the party food, assuming you don't take your drink with you (you don't want to spill, do you?). Better yet, it burns those extra calories you might be racking up. In just 30 minutes of low-impact aerobic dancing, a 130-pound woman burns about 148 calories. Be sure to follow up your turn on the dance floor with plenty of water. What are you waiting for? Put on some music and get the party going.
To the many of you who are convinced that greasy carbs and bacon are the best foods to eat when hung over: research is about to add some scientific validity to your argument.
According to researchers at Newcastle University's Centre for Life, food — specifically, bacon sandwiches — can do a hungover body good. Food on the whole speeds up the body's metabolism, helping it to deplete the body of alcohol more rapidly — but why bacon sandwiches?
"Bread is high in carbohydrates and bacon is full of protein, which breaks down into amino acids. Your body needs these amino acids, so eating them will make you feel good," explained Elin Roberts, the center's science communication manager. "Binging on alcohol depletes neurotransmitters, but bacon contains a high level of aminos which tops these up, giving you a clearer head."
You know what this means: the morning after we celebrate our excuse to overload on red wine, we can enjoy a greasy, carbo-loaded breakfast free of any guilt. Do these findings surprise you?
If you woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather, know that you're not alone: All around the world, revelers are rising with a pounding headache, waves of nausea, and, after a night of wearing some serious beer goggles, 20/20 vision that's clear as day. Hangovers may be a universal experience, but each culture boasts its own cures, from simple solutions to seemingly bizarre behaviors. Can you match the cure to the country? Take this quiz to find out!
Happy New Year! If you are feeling a little hungover today, I suggest you eat greasy foods, drink lots of water, and take my quiz. It's full of fun facts about hangovers and New Year's. So what are you waiting for? Get started!
