5 Most Effective Ways To Beat a Hangover

Nobody plans for a hangover, but sometimes they happen anyway. Whether you overdid it at a celebration or had one too many drinks with friends, dealing with the aftermath doesn’t have to ruin your entire day. Try out these proven strategies to beat a hangover.

Rehydrate Your Body Fast

Start drinking water as soon as you wake up, but don’t stop there. Add electrolyte solutions or coconut water to replace the sodium and potassium you’ve lost. Sports drinks work too, though they often contain more sugar than necessary.

For even faster results, consider professional IV hydration therapy. Services like hangover IV treatments deliver fluids directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your digestive system entirely.

Eat the Right Foods

Your blood sugar drops when you drink alcohol, which contributes to shakiness and weakness the next day. Combat this with foods that provide steady energy without overwhelming your sensitive stomach.

Bananas are perfect—they’re gentle, provide potassium, and contain natural sugars. Toast with honey gives you carbohydrates and helps stabilize blood sugar. Eggs contain cysteine, an amino acid that helps break down acetaldehyde, one of alcohol’s toxic byproducts.

Avoid greasy foods despite what you might have heard. They can irritate your already sensitive stomach and make nausea worse.

Get Strategic Rest

Sleep helps your body recover, but quality matters more than quantity when you’re dealing with hangover symptoms. Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycles, so you might not feel rested even after sleeping for hours.

Create a dark, quiet environment and try to sleep in longer stretches rather than napping on and off. If you can’t fall back asleep, at least rest quietly—your body still benefits from the downtime. Moreover, keep your bedroom cool, as alcohol can affect your body’s temperature regulation and make you feel overheated.

Take Smart Supplements

Certain vitamins and minerals can help speed up your recovery. B-complex vitamins are particularly effective, since alcohol depletes them from your system.

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant and may help your liver process alcohol more efficiently. Magnesium helps with headaches and muscle tension that often accompany hangovers.

NAC (N-acetylcysteine) supports liver function and helps break down toxic substances. Take these supplements with food to avoid stomach irritation.

Use Temperature Therapy

Heat and cold can both provide relief, but use them strategically. A warm shower can help you feel more like yourself and may ease muscle tension, but keep it brief—hot water can worsen dehydration.

Cold therapy, like holding an ice pack on your forehead or the back of your neck, can help with headache pain. Some people find alternating between warm and cool temperatures helpful.

Steam from a hot shower can also help if you’re feeling congested, which sometimes happens with hangovers due to inflammation.

Speed Up Your Recovery

The most effective ways to beat a hangover work best when combined, rather than individually. Start with hydration and food, then add rest and targeted supplements for maximum relief.

Severe hangovers with persistent vomiting, extreme dehydration, or concerning symptoms may require medical attention. Professional treatments can provide faster relief and ensure you’re getting proper care.

The key is acting quickly once symptoms start. The sooner you begin treating your hangover, the faster you’ll feel better and get back to your normal routine.