So it’s Sunday and I have woken up, not for the first time, feeling fragile after too many wines and I’m sure I’m not alone. As a 29 year old woman who enjoys a cocktail or four, this isn’t my first time at the rodeo and today I’m going to help you get through this.

Since booze began there have been countless old wives tales, miracle cures and everything in between when it comes to curing a hangover. People all over swear by different remedies including the classic Ribena and a bacon sandwich, a spicy Bloody Mary, that weird black drink from The Parent Trap and many more.

What to eat

After a night of drinking my appetite is a bottomless pit and I am always tempted to order the largest meal that I can from Just Eat. I always try to have a filling but nourishing meal, although sometimes you do just need a takeaway with all of the sides. These are my go to hangover meals.

I am adamant that a burrito is the perfect hangover food. The main components of a burrito are avocado, beans and peppers. Beans contain fibre, protein, and vitamin E, avocado is rehydrating and replaces potassium, and peppers are a good source of vitamin C. On top of this there is meat (optional), cheese and it’s all held together in a warm wrap. I also enjoy a sharp injection of coriander and salsa to reset the senses.

A massive bowl of vegetable heavy pasta is a delicious way to pack in a load of nourishing, healing nutrients. My favourite additions include courgettes, mushrooms, peas and olives. Pasta is also nice and filling and a great vehicle for cheese, which, as we all know, makes everything better.

Sweet potatoes have been long known to help cure a hangover. They help replace the magnesium and potassium which is lost in drinking. I like to eat mine packed with mushrooms and guacamole, do you see a trend emerging here?

For me, carbs are needed to soak everything up. They also add a comfort element to meals which is essential for hangover eating.

What to drink

A smoothie is a great way to start the day on a normal day but all the more necessary when you’re hungover. Waking up with a portion of fruit and vegetables makes you feel a little virtuous despite giving your liver a beating the night before. To give it an extra kick I like to use quite sharp flavours like kiwi or raspberry and a whole load of ginger. Frozen fruit is also essential for maximum refreshment.

For all of my sins I absolutely love fizzy drinks. Ginger ale is one of my favourites as it tastes delicious and ginger helps to settle the stomach in case of nausea.

Drink all of the water. I’m not joking, rehydration is key to killing this hangover and water is your best option. If you must, add some lime or squash but either way, you should be drinking as much as you can of this miracle drink.

What to do

Sweat it out

Sometimes I am able to muster up the courage to do a spin class, it is definitely a struggle but I feel great afterwards. This is definitely a weekday, made it into work kind of hangover though which is an easy fix.

Sometimes I take myself on a short brisk walk to raise my heart rate, it especially helps to get some fresh air. Even if it’s just to the shop to get provisions (ahem, ginger ale and gummy bears) it’s still something.

Hitting up a steam room is a good way to detox and sweat out your sins. I find this to be especially effective when you are on holiday and able to take full advantage of the hotel’s facilities, this also helps with debloating and clearing up lacklustre hangover skin.

My favourite however, and I’m sure you’ve probably heard me talk about it before, is a long, hot, salt bath. Any salt will do but I have always favoured himalayan salt. A detox bath will help detoxify your skin while your body absorbs recuperating minerals. (Obviously I am no doctor but these work an absolute wonder for me with hangovers, after workouts and when I’m not sleeping well.)

Listen to your body

This will come as no surprise but the body needs time to recuperate. If you need to spend a day on the sofa watching cartoons then just go with it, otherwise you may find yourself vomming on the train, or worse, your friend’s shoes.

Like many people, my mother swears by ibuprofen. After a night of drinking she always takes two before going to bed as well as taking a couple if she is feeling ropey in the morning.

Sleep

I mean, it’s the best, isn’t it? Sometimes you wake up too early after a night of drinking feeling horrendous but then sleep for another few hours and you feel ten times better.

 

So there you have it, my guide to saying goodbye to a hangover. If you have any cures of your own, let me know in the comments or over on the grid.