How to cure a hangover fast
You’ve had a big night, and now, you’re feeling the sting. Don’t worry: we’ve all been there. Anyone who’s paid a visit to the North’s number one dive bar knows you don’t leave without living it large.
But actions do have consequences. Now, it’s likely way past noon, and you’re sitting up in bed googling ‘how to cure a hangover fast’. While we wish there were an over-the-counter medicine for undoing bad decisions, there isn’t.
What there is, however, is Salt Dog’s tried-and-tested guide to hangover cures. We’ve put together our top tips for getting rid of pounding headaches. So, whether you’re meeting mates for food or soldering onto another messy night out, put these tips to work, and we promise you’ll be up and running in no time.
1. Guzzle water (lots of it)
If you’ve ever been so thirsty that you’ve genuinely considered unscrewing your hot water bottle, this tip is for you.
When you drink alcohol, the body actually loses fluids, so staying topped up on water before, during and after your night out will ease that all-too-familiar sand-in-the-eyelids feeling.
Heading out for day drinks? Start on the right foot with a big 500ml glass of ice-cold water (or room temperature, if you’re weird). As you’re chugging down Salt Dog’s TNT tequila cocktails, grab some water while you’re at the bar.
Then, when you get home, try to manage as much of a 500ml glass as you can. That single hit offsets a chunk of the fluid you’ve just lost and preloads you for the overnight hours.
Keep the glass by your bed so it’s right there when you wake up: work smarter, not harder.
2. Have a sugary cup of tea or coffee
Likely the first non-alcoholic beverage you’ve had in 24 hours, a sugary cup of tea or coffee can really put the world to rights.
We Brits love our hot beverages, often first thing in the morning: what better time to load up than when your head feels like it’s full of gravel? Aside from being a hug in a mug, there’s actually a real reason why this can make you feel better.
When you’re loading up on our famed White Cove Daiquiris and Fancy Bastard Woodford Reserve cocktails, your body is forced to focus on breaking down the alcohol. As such, there’s less glucose (sugar) in the body.
No wonder you’ve got the shakes! With low blood sugar, you’ll likely feel weak until you get a cup or two down. Plus, a sensible dose of caffeine will help you feel more awake (even if you’ve only had a couple of hours’ rest).
3. Painkillers are your best friend
Ibuprofen and paracetamol: two medicine cupboard staples you’re sure to have rattling around. These hangover heroes are a sensible first move against the headache from hell, provided you’ve stopped drinking and started rehydrating.
Ibuprofen will take the edge off of inflammation, and paracetamol turns down the pain dial.
Because your liver is still busy clearing ethanol, wait until you’ve had a large glass of water and a light snack before popping the tablets, then keep tally on a phone note so you don’t lose count of how many you’ve had.
4. Get some carbs in your body
Do you have hollow legs when you’re hungover, or do you snarl at the cooked breakfast you specifically asked for?
Well, we have bad news for the latter: learning how to cure a hangover fast might mean pushing past your food aversions. Alcohol can lower your blood sugar, which is why, by the morning, you’re feeling rather trembly, and sorry for yourself.
Your brain is running on fumes, but starchy food can keep things topped up. If you’re feeling queasy, start small: light, low-odour options you can manage in small bites will work best (e.g., a piece of toast, plain oatcake or a handful of dry cereal).
As your appetite increases, fold in potassium-rich carbs (a banana on peanut-buttered toast, or oat porridge with berries) to replenish electrolytes lost during late-night bathroom trips.
5. Have a cold shower
Nothing quite shocks the system like a cold shower.
Two or three minutes in a freezing cold shower is like an icy turbocharge, but you’ve got to put a brave face on. Even a 60-second cold rinse is enough to feel ‘more alert’ and may even nudge your body to process the alcohol more quickly.
Cold showers are famous for increasing endorphins, so a quick blast might give you enough dopamine to buy an hour or two of focus (and that’s without any other interventions).
Ready for steins, brines and good times?
Every hangover feels like the end of the world, but eventually, life returns to normal. Now you know how to cure a hangover fast, it’s time to guzzle water, eat plenty of food and get back on the dance floor. When you’re ready to go again, why not visit Salt Dogs?
We’re the North’s number one dive bar, and our expert mixologists are ready and waiting to serve you some of the tastiest cocktails you’ve ever tried.