The following measurements are what is considered a “standard” drink in the U.S.:
- 12 ounces of beer (about 5% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (about 12% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol)
While these measurements are considered “standard” at 14 grams of alcohol, serving sizes at bars and restaurants often do not reflect this. In fact, you are often being served a lot more alcohol per drink than what is considered “standard.” For these reasons alone, it can be easy to overindulge!
The occasional night out can wreak havoc on your system the following day. While all things should be enjoyed in moderation, if you do find yourself over served, following these tips can help you bounce back after a night out.
1. Detox
Alcohol is effectively poison to your system. When you overindulge, you want to make sure you give your body adequate time to heal and restore itself. This looks like drinking water, fighting the urge to eat a greasy hangover breakfast and instead reaching for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins, and sweating out some of that booze. If you’re hosting a party, one tried and true method of starting the detox process of right is making sure that the food you’re eating is healthy. Check out Subway catering prices and get a jumpstart on preventing your next hangover.
2. Hydrate
Alcohol, sweat, and cigarette smoke can make your skin appear dry and blotchy. The key to preventing this is hydration. It’s a good idea to drink a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume throughout the night, and on top of that, try to drink two glasses of water before bed. This will reduce the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Water also helps plump up your skin cells, flushing out impurities from your skin and making it look less wrinkled.
3. Take it easy
After you’ve detoxed, eaten a balanced breakfast, and hydrated, all that’s left is rest. You’ve put your body through hell and probably stayed up too late, upsetting your body’s natural circadian rhythm. If time allows, resting up and heading back to bed probably isn’t a bad idea. Healthy adults require between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but after putting your body through the stress of a night out, don’t be surprised if you need a little extra sleep to recover fully.
4. Get a boost
Sometimes we have to jump back into life: we don’t have time to detox and take it easy. If that’s the case, do what you can to eat well and hydrate, but also reach for an energy drink that won’t give you a sugar crash. This can help get you through your day of important meetings until your hangover is cured. Check out 5 Hour Energy prices to find the most affordable retailers near you.
The bottom line
Next time you find yourself hungover, don’t reach for the greasy diner breakfast and coffee–your body will be a lot happier if you detox, hydrate, and take it easy. If a boost of energy is necessary to help get you through your day, try an energy supplement like 5 Hour Energy.