By: Amanda Froelich,
2013 was a year of monumental change and liberating opportunity. Now, to bring in the new year, the time for celebration with companions all over the world has come. Parties will rage throughout the night with abounding drink, and fireworks will light up the darkened sky as the clock counts down to 2014.
But for many, this amount of celebrating will induce a headache along with the hopeful intentions for a new year. Although fun, consuming a large amount of alcohol creates toxins in the body, and the day-after effect is what happens when one becomes too dehydrated from the byproducts.
To combat the after effects of celebrating, there are a variety of natural ways one can help their body find alignment and recover faster. Popping pills may be the mainstream way to drum out the pounding in one’s head, but often pharmaceutical drugs amplify alcohol and have side effects. To ensure rapid recovery, adopt the following aids and get back to enjoying life with clear intention.
**It should be noted that the best way to avoid a hangover is to abstain from alcohol. Group gatherings and parties can still be extremely fun when emphasis is placed on celebrating each others’ company and the reason for the festivity.**
1. Water
Hydration is key when recovering from a hangover. Before falling asleep, be sure to drink a large glass of water and also have one next to your bedside table. Upon waking, consume the purifying glass of aqua and many more throughout the day.
2. Bananas
Rich in potassium, bananas will quickly supply a much needed glucose boost and replenish potassium stores lost by ingesting alcohol. Not only are they a cheap staple, but they’re filling and an easy breakfast if movement towards the kitchen is too difficult.
3. Green Juice
Be aware that the most healing thing you can do for your body is to give it hydration, vitamins, and minerals (along with rest) to undo the damage an intensely fun night of partying caused. Green juices are amazing for hangover recovery as they are rich in chlorophyll, B vitamins, help detoxify the body, balance pH, and are rich in enzymes and antioxidants. Stomach it any way you can, you’ll feel much better after your cells receive the energizing juice.
4. Tiger Balm
Tiger Balm can be an incredible aid; a popular topical used traditionally in Asia as a multi-purpose remedy, it is blended from camphor, menthol, cajuput oil and clove oil. It is best known for its analgesic and blood flow promoting properties.
It may not be made to mitigate hangovers, but it is one of the best topical headache cures around. Dab the potent, eye-stinging salve on the back of your neck and temples, massage it in, and wait a few minutes until your headache seemingly melts away.
5. Sweat
To increase blood circulation through the organs and promote oxygenation of the cellular tissue, sit in a sauna to sweat and help clear the cells of metabolic waste. Sweating also allows toxins to be detoxified through the skin’s pores; this will help you feel better faster.
6. Raw Honey
Unheated, untreated honey is rich in potassium and antioxidants. Consuming live enzymes and the vitamin-rich staple may help counteract a hangover. In fact, the Royal Society of Chemistry believes that honey on toast may be the best way to beat a hangover.
7. Ginger
Ginger is commonly relied on to alleviate motion sickness, indigestion, and nausea, but it can also be helpful to cure morning-after woes.
Its benefits range, making it an incredibly medicinal root, and one of the best ways to prepare the soothing plant is by taking it in a capsule or making ginger tea. To make the tea, simmer a few slices in water for 15 minutes. You may also choose to add it to your green juice!
8. Rub Your Feet
Reflexology is a known remedy for a slew of ailments, hangovers included. To rub your aches and pains away (while assisting to speed up liver detoxification) stimulate the outer edge area on the right foot, about halfway between the middle of the foot and the little toe. This is the reflex to the liver. You may notice some “crunchy” texture—which is a sign that there is some congestion in the area associated with that spot.
9. Asparagus
Korean researchers found that asparagus boosts the production of enzymes that break down alcohol, and volunteers who participated in the study reported fewer hangover symptoms.
In fact, it’s been shown that eating asparagus before and after a fun night out can reduce alcohol toxicity symptoms. From soups to a side dish, there are a variety of ways you can prepare this delicious culinary ‘medicinal’.
10. Yoga Pose
Finally, as part of a post-party liver purge, this twisting yoga pose can help squeeze the alcohol out of organs (similar to twisting a towel to squeeze out water).
The Seated Twist
– Get out of bed and sit on the floor with your legs extended straight in front of you.
– Bend your left knee and cross your leg over your right, placing your left foot on the floor beside the outside of your right knee.
-Rotate your torso to the left so you are twisting your body.
– Bring your right arm across your body and place your right hand on the floor beside your left butt cheek. Use this arm to help you twist even more.
– Inhale big belly breaths. Hold the pose for 30 seconds. Switch sides.
If a fun night out will result in an alcohol-induced hangover, know the natural ways you can give back to your body and begin to feel better faster… and Happy New Year!
