How to Avoid being a little "Green" after St. Pat's Day!

It's that time of year when we don our green attire and tap into our Irish roots (which may or may not exist) and attempt to drink like the Irish.  Just as people prepare to run a marathon, one should train for an entire day of drinking.  Most people do not and the day after may look a little green.


Here are some helpful hangover remedies, just in case you are one of the many who will be praying to the porcelain gods the day after St. Patty's Day.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. This information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader should seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

1. Replenish Potassium

While you were drinking you were most likely peeing like a racehorse, thus lots of potassium drained from your body. Here are some foods and drinks that are high in potassium.

Bananas, approx. 422mg per one average sized bananaWhite beans, approx. 1004mg per 1 cup cookedPrune juice, the highest of all fruit juices approx. 700mg in every cupTomato juice, approx. 500mg in 1 cup

2. Ginger tea

There are many benefits to consuming ginger root.  Commonly used by the Chinese as a remedy for a cold.  Many use it to settle their stomachs or to help with sea sickness and nausea.  The best way to consume after a night of drinking is to make a tea.  You should start with about an inch of fresh ginger cut into slices, combine with about four cups and boil for 20 minutes.  Strain and add honey as needed.  

3. Food

I know eating is one of the last things you will want to do while hungover.  You do need energy to make it through the day.  According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, after a long night of drinking a breakfast of toast with some honey on top is a brilliant way to help with hangover symptoms.  Why? Toast and honey supplies the body with sodium, potassium and fructose, which is needed since you depleted yourself of electrolytes and sugars by being dehydrated.

4. Lemon

So I found an article that had one of the funniest hangover remedies I had ever come across.  I would also do some of the other things listed, just to be safe :-)
As stated in an article written on the View London website, rubbing lemon slices under your armpits will help guard against dehydration.  The thought is that lemon juice helps retain fluid.  I am still not sure what your armpits have to do with it.  I imagine you would need to do this lemon armpit rubbing prior to going to sleep, more as a preventative measure before you become dehydrated.  
I am definitely going to try this one next time I am out and have had one too many.  Plus, I am sure that the act of rubbing lemons under your armpits when drunk seems totally normal not to mention amusing.  

5. Light Exercise

If you can stomach it, then a brisk walk outside will accomplish a couple things.  It will induce a little sweat, which helps release toxins from your body.  Gets you outside breathing fresh air, bringing in more oxygen, which will lift your mood by increasing your levels of serotonin.  All-in-all leaving you feeling more refreshed and relaxed.

6. Water

Well dehydrating yourself is how you got in this mess.  One of the oldest and proven methods to cure a hangover is to drink water.  This water can be still, sparkling, tap or bottled.  Drink lots! And when your done with that, drink more!
So now that you are re-hydrated and have kicked your hangover to the curb.  Your all ready thinking about next weekend.  As much as you swear that you will never drink again, it might just happen.  Next time do yourself a favor and take a couple preventative measures.  

Things to Try: Drink lots of water prior and eat a substantial meal (approximately 80% of alcohol absorption happens in the small intestine).  It takes the liver around one hour to metabolize an 1.5oz shot of 80 proof alcohol, 5oz of wine and a 12oz beer.  So try to slow your consumption down to one beverage per hour.  

Have fun, be safe, and drink responsibly!

For more information on Victoria D. Gray www.victoriadgray.com

Her specialties lie in Post-Injury Rehabilitation, Kettlebell Instruction, TRX Suspension Training, Pre/Post Natal Coaching, weight loss, and general health and wellness. 

For information on group kettlebell classes 

http://www.victoriadgray.com/group-classes

Resources for this article:http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/clubs/hangover-cures-feature-2011.html
http://www.rsc.org/AboutUs/News/PressReleases/2007/HangoverAvoidance.asp