How To Get Over ‘The Fear’ – Hangover Edition

A great night out can be spoiled by what our generation refers to as ‘The Fear’, or in more familiar terms… an anxiety-riddled hangover. It’s hard to avoid and can seem impossible to overcome.

More often than not, the morning after the night before can hit you like a ton of bricks… right in the face. The overwhelming feeling of worry kicks in, the flashbacks start and before you know it you have been consumed by ‘The Fear’.

You are left with the notorious feeling that everyone is against you, you think deeply about life and swear you will never touch a drop of alcohol again.

What you do in the next 24 hours may determine how the next week of your life will play out.

Will you spend the day buried in your thoughts, rotting away in bed, or will you take control of your mind and body, to save the potential in the day that lies ahead?

Choose your fighter.

If you have chosen the first option, no judgment! Sometimes sleeping away your problems can be the cure. However, if you’ve decided to switch up your hangover routine then allow us to share our insight.

Last year I had this idea to make “The Fear” after a hangover into a Horror movie trailer. So then I made it for work and here it is. pic.twitter.com/Zw9mISVteI

— Justine Stafford (@JustineStafford) August 23, 2019

A Thought

First thing’s first… know that these feelings are not permanent. Everything will be okay, contrary to what your mind may tell you.

Sometimes I like to think of ‘The Fear’ as if it were another person, separate from myself. We are not our thoughts… we are simply observing them. Believe it or not, we have control over our minds if we just allow ourselves to.

Soluble Electrolytes

It’s a magical hangover potion. Electrolytes are an array of essential minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium and chloride that are vital for proper bodily function  – and they get lost when we guzzle back the drink. Without them, we are a dehydrated mess. Alcohol is the enemy.

Let’s be real, your body probably hates you right now. You’ve quite literally sucked the hydration from it. The best way to begin your day, post night out, is to drink a big pint of water with a soluble electrolyte tablet. You will without a doubt feel more lifted and recharged.

Music

Now that we are feeling slightly more refreshed, it’s time to set the vibe for the day and music is always the answer.

Studies have shown the positive effects that music can have on alleviating stress and anxiety as opposed to white noise. I mean, anything seems more appealing than sitting in silence with nothing but the returning memories of drunk conversations and strobe lights from the night previous.

Yes, music is a distraction but is also a proven mood booster as it gets the dopamine rolling and the happy hormones hopping. I am a personal fan of the jazzy tunes when I’m hungover. A little Frank Sinatra, anyone?

Food

Your body is a temple. It carried you from club to club last night… in heels. It’s time you show it some love.

What you eat today is the game-changer.

A hangover is essentially your body’s response to the overconsumption of alcohol.  You’re dehydrated, you’ve lost a whole load of minerals and your muscles have practically shrivelled up. Build yourself back up, buttercup.

Fruit and vegetables are of course going to replenish your soul but it’s important that you know why.

Fruits like bananas are full of electrolytes such as potassium which have a miracle effect on renewing your body’s stores. Watermelon is notorious for hydration and may increase blood flow.

Oranges are known for being rich in the infamous vitamin C whose greatest asset is its ability to prevent our bodies from losing glutathione, an antioxidant that pushes alcohol out of your system. Just what we need right now!

Chicken noodle soup is the perfect go-to if you’re feeling lazy and need something wholesome. It also has a high sodium content which studies have shown can help rehydrate.

Honestly, the list of foods that may fix your hangover is endless. Sometimes you just want to reach for the takeaway apps and order food that has absolutely no benefit to your body whatsoever.

I’m not telling you to eat a bowl of leafy greens… but try cooking something up for yourself will allow you to consume the nutrition your body is begging you for, whilst leaving you with a little sense of accomplishment.

The Right Company

I would argue that this part is the most important. The people you choose to surround yourself with become your environment and set the vibes.

We want to keep the energies high. Having a friend who can pick you up when you’re feeling down, sit comfortably in silence with you when you’re not in the mood for talking or listen to your hungover gibberish and let you vent about last night’s chaos is essential.

Get Out and About

Connect with nature! It’s a cliché but genuinely the outdoors is the greatest hangover healer of all. A sweep of fresh air and the sun’s vitamin D will bring you straight back to life. Look for the bare necessities in our beautiful, little world… forget about your worries and your strife.

Words by Shauna Whyte 

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• the fear