After May Day, many people need the same basic things the body needs after any heavy evening: fluids, simple food and a calmer pace. Hangover symptoms are often a combination of dehydration, poor sleep, stomach irritation and the body being generally worn down.
What the stomach can usually handle#
The stomach often does better if you start small. Eat slowly and take breaks. Light options such as bread, fruit, yoghurt and soup are often easier than fatty or very spicy food.
If you are sensitive to lactose, choose lactose-free options. If your stomach bloats easily, fizzy drinks may make it worse even if they feel briefly refreshing.
How to recover in the evening#
The main evening goal is to get sleep back on track. Have a light snack, drink water and calm the evening down. If a nap is tempting, a short rest may help, but long daytime sleep can push night-time sleep later.
If the next day is a workday, the easiest self-care is often to prepare the morning the night before. When stress falls, recovery gets easier too.
How to reduce the risk next time#
The best way to reduce hangover is moderate drinking. A glass of water between alcoholic drinks slows the pace and keeps fluid balance better. Eating before and during drinking slows alcohol absorption. Going to bed at a reasonable time gives the body a chance to recover already during the night.
When to seek care#
Seek care if you cannot keep fluids down and the general condition worsens. Seek care also if there is blood in the vomit, black stool, severe abdominal pain, clear abdominal swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath or marked weakness.
Get help immediately if confusion, unusual drowsiness or seizures appear.
Further reading and sources#
Further reading: