by Michelle Alexander

Created on: July 16, 2008   Last Updated: August 20, 2011

We've all been there. You wake up sprawled over the bed (hopefully your own), and you immediately know that something is wrong. Your head is pounding, your body is so stiff you wonder if someone threw you into the wall the night before (hopefully not the case), and you are sure the room is spinning. Rather you are recovering from a college frat party or one too many glasses of wine, the effect is the same. You're sick, and you feel stupid for getting sick. And, as you close your eyes and wish that you could somehow leave your body, we all think the same thing: "I am never drinking again."

This is one of those empty promises no one ever intends to keep. We are going to drink again, but the main thing we can do is limit the chances of having severe consequences. First and foremost, never drive after a night of drinking, or even the morning after. There still may be alcohol in your system, and nothing can be more dangerous or embarrassing than getting a DUI. Call for a ride or walk to the drug store to get some aspirin. It's never worth the risk.

There are also several things you can do to minimize the inevitable hangover. The first is to know your body. For some people, alcohol on an empty stomach is their vice. For others it's the kind of alcohol, or the speed at which they drink. Once you know which behavior to avoid, you can drink more responsibly, as well as achieve a greater sense of self. Of course this only works when you know to stop drinking as soon as your vice starts to seem less important. There's always that window when you can stop without getting messed up, but you have to tune out the party and check in with your body from time to time. It can be fun to get an alcohol buzz, but never forget the way you felt the morning after.

If this preventative measure didn't work, and you slid right through your warning window and down a few storeys, you can still do certain things to nurse yourself back to health. Aspirin is the old standby, but I find that Midol works better. It has a pain reliever and it contains caffeine. Caffeine opens blood vessels, and this can lessen the pain of a headache. It's in a pill form, so you don't have to worry if your stomach can't keep down coffee. I've heard some say drinking a little more alcohol can be an asset, but this just postpones the hangover. If you feel nauseated, don't hold back. It's gross, it's disgusting, but it will make you feel better to get it out. Just remember to replenish the liquids and electrolytes lost by drinking Pedialight. Once your appetite starts to return, eat something light, like crackers or a piece of fruit. You shouldn't go hours and hours without eating because this alone will make your feel horrible. The most important thing once again is to just listen to your body. You body knows what it needs to feel better, you should try to take note.

By following these simply rules you can have fun and still minimize the after effect. Hangovers are something we all will have to deal with, and as long and we see this as a learning experience, we can move forward and be slightly wiser.

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