National Hangover Day was a few days ago…are you still hurting?

SSgt Timothy Prevost — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 10:13:03 -0500

Bet you will be surprised to learn that National Hangover Day is none other than January 1st! Perhaps not. New Year’s Eve is known for being the night to party; the artist formerly known as Prince even wrote an entire song about what was thought to potentially be the last celebration (anyone else remember Y2K??). While we all enjoy the noisemakers, confetti cannons, champagne and smooches, no one likes the hangover the next day or even the days after. Here are five ways you can avoid celebrating NHD:

1.Be choosy! - There is a lot of science behind hangovers. Our bodies react to alcohol in a myriad of ways that affect everything from hydration, glucose levels and sleep. Before you get a knowledge hangover, let me throw out an easy way to help you avoid the after-effects of a night of heavy drinking. Stick with clear booze. Yup, it’s that simple. You can read the long answer here, but the short one is that colored liquors such as whiskey (especially Bourbon), cognac and tequila have a high amount of congeners (toxic chemicals primarily responsible for hangover symptoms). In contrast, liquors such as vodka, gin and rum have very little (or in the case of vodka, almost none) congeners making them a better choice for indulgence.

2.Stay hydrated! - As a general rule of thumb, consume one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume and always end the night with H2O. Alcohol is a diuretic which means it makes you pee, a lot. Less fluids in your body means dehydration. Dehydration is responsible for many unpleasant hangover symptoms such as headache, stomach irritation and cotton-mouth.

3.Pre-Game! - Nope, not with shots. With supplements. In particular, red ginseng, ginger and prickly pear have shown to be quite effective in reducing hangover symptoms. This is likely due to their anti-inflammatory effect on the body and hangovers are a form of inflammation. In one study, participants who drank prickly pear juice before a night of drinking had 40% less of an inflammation protein (i.e. hangover culprit) than the people who received the placebo. Bottom’s up!

4. Ahead! - Make sure you have some eggs, toast, maybe even some bacon on hand for a hearty breakfast the next morning. Alcohol lowers blood sugar and low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, causes symptoms such as weakness and headaches. Fuel up with some protein, carbohydrates and natural sugars to replace what your partying depleted. Bonus points for cooking the night before and reheating breakfast the next morning.

5.Don’t Get Obliterated! - This is the most obvious but also most effective way to prevent a hangover. Overindulgence always comes with a price. Shoot for tipsy, not trashed. If you start to see double, back off and drink some water. Your body will thank you in the morning and you can keep from celebrating National Hangover Day like the rest of your sick-as-dog friends.

Have your own hangover prevention tips? Share them here and please drink responsibly. Cheers to a safe and fun start to 2022!

Response by GySgt Thomas Vick made Jan 3 at 2022 12:05 PM

GySgt Thomas Vick — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 12:05:19 -0500

Didn't have a hang over this year, don't understand why, I damn sure didn't drink any less

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 3 at 2022 1:42 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:42:23 -0500

A couple young soldiers went to the pentagon to receive awards and coins. They had partied hard the night before. They were late in waking up and threw their uniforms on themselves. The general gave awards and coins to them and whispered you two have been drinking last night.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jan 3 at 2022 4:09 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:09:10 -0500

Had a few of these. Especially after a few trips to the Grog Bowl.

Response by PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln made Jan 3 at 2022 4:20 PM

PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 16:20:58 -0500

SSgt Timothy Prevost I found the ultimate hangover cure when I quit drinking. I spent several years watching people over indulge and make complete asses of themselves. I also don't have black outs anymore.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Jan 3 at 2022 5:59 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:59:31 -0500

Never could stand anything other than beer. And then one day I didn't like it either.

Response by PO2 William Rowanoak made Jan 3 at 2022 6:44 PM

PO2 William Rowanoak — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 18:44:53 -0500

I have never had a problem with hangovers, even after drinking more than was sensible.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 3 at 2022 8:52 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 20:52:33 -0500

you are hung over then you didn't have enough PT!

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jan 5 at 2022 10:16 AM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 10:16:46 -0500

There is NO fun in feeling like "hell" after a celebration...it'll be twelve years since I decided for myself, to live differently.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2022 1:38 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:38:40 -0500

No. I don't drink much anymore.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2022 3:56 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:56:59 -0500

I remember when I was 20 :)

Response by Maj William Mitchell made Jan 28 at 2022 5:24 PM

Maj William Mitchell — Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:24:04 -0500

When I first arrived at my flight squadron in 1983 they had a beer dispensing machine in the hallway. It was gone within a year or two of my arrival as the world was beginning to change in that regard...

Response by PO2 D Patrick Gleason made Feb 9 at 2022 9:19 PM

PO2 D Patrick Gleason — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 21:19:49 -0500

Living in 420-friendly Washington State, alcohol is no longer my preferred recreational substance. My current intoxicant of choice does not lead to hangovers.

Response by SSG Eric Blue made Feb 24 at 2022 11:38 AM

SSG Eric Blue — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 11:38:23 -0500

National Hangover Day is a thing?!?