How to stay hangover-free this New Year - Effective tips from experts
Photo: How to avoid New Year hangover (Getty Images)
Nobody wants to start the New Year with a pounding headache. Yet for many, January 1 comes with severe headaches, nausea, and complete exhaustion.
The Daily Express explains how to avoid a hangover on the first day of the year.
Why do we get a hangover?
The main reason for feeling unwell after drinking alcohol is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes the body lose fluids along with essential minerals. That’s why experts recommend starting hangover recovery not with coffee or greasy food, but by restoring your fluid balance.
Doctors emphasize that plain water is good, but adding electrolytes is even more effective.
Electrolytes are minerals your muscles and nervous system need, but they are quickly lost when drinking alcohol. Drinks or tablets with electrolytes help reduce fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. The best time to take them is before going to bed after celebrations, so your body can start recovering overnight.
Coffee does not cure hangovers
Contrary to popular belief, coffee does not help with hangovers. In fact, caffeine is also a diuretic and can worsen dehydration. Pharmacists recommend delaying coffee and opting for water or electrolyte drinks, especially if you feel nauseous or weak.
What to eat if you have a hangover
Food can also support recovery. Doctors suggest eating potassium-rich foods the next day, such as bananas, oranges, apricots, leafy greens, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, mushrooms, and peas. These help restore electrolyte balance and speed up recovery.
Sleep is crucial
Alcohol disrupts deep sleep, so your body cannot fully recover. Experts recommend allowing yourself extra rest on January 1, including short naps and a calm routine without heavy activity.
Another tip is to stop drinking alcohol as early as possible. The liver takes about an hour to process one unit of alcohol. The earlier you put down the glass, the higher the chance of waking up hangover-free and starting 2026 feeling good.
Earlier, we shared how much alcohol causes a hangover.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
