Social StudentYour time at university will be spent in a number of different ways – while you are obviously there to study and gain a degree in your chosen subject, there is so much more to university than this. For many of you, your time at university will be your first real taste of independence, moving away from your parents to a new city, making new friends and experiencing new things.
One thing that most students are bound to come into contact with at some point during their time at university is the dreaded hangover. Yes, you might have already had hangover prior to university, but with student nights and cheap drink offers, your hangovers are set to hit a whole new level at university!
When the morning arrives and you open your eyes, only to be hit by a splitting headache, dry mouth and dodgy stomach, what do you do? Sure, you could spend the day horizontally on the sofa, binge-watching Netflix and gorging yourself on pizza, but what if you have exams coming up? Just because you’re suffering from a hangover, doesn’t mean your studies should suffer with you. Here are some of our top tips for revising with a hangover.
What should I eat when I’m hungover?
Hangovers affect different people in different ways – some people wake up feeling hungrier than they’ve ever felt before, while others will feel nauseous even thinking about eating. Regardless of how you feel, it’s important to eat when you’re hungover, especially if you need to concentrate on your revision.
When it comes to what you should be eating, contrary to popular belief, a greasy fry up or burger and chips is not the best thing for you. While this might make you feel better momentarily, a greasy meal can actually irritate your already sensitive stomach, making you feel worse.
Fruits like bananas and kiwis are full of potassium, an electrolyte that is often depleted after a night out drinking. Try stocking up on fruit, or consider blending it into a healthy smoothie. Eggs are another great hangover-fighting breakfast dish, as they contain important amino acids like taurine and cysteine. If you’re worried about keeping food down, try and eat some plain toast – this will help raise your blood sugar without upsetting your stomach.
What should I drink when I’m hungover?
We know, we know, drink is what caused your hangover in the first place, but we’re not talking about alcohol anymore. It’s important to know what drinks will help you deal with your hangover and get on with your revision.
Many people will be quick to reach for the coffee when they’re hungover, hoping that it will give them a much needed energy boost. However, coffee is a diuretic, which will dehydrate you and make you feel worse. Try switching your coffee for herbal tea instead.
The best thing to drink when you’re hungover is water, as this will rehydrate your body, helping to reduce your pounding headache and making you feel more refreshed. If you want to take things a step further, try drinking some coconut water, which is full of electrolytes.
Is there anything else I should can do to cure my hangover?
While exercise might be the last thing on your mind when you wake up with a hangover, it can be a great way of making yourself feel better again. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which can help improve your mood, putting you in a better mindset to revise. Working up a sweat will also help you rid your body of the toxins from a night out drinking.
Once you’ve followed these tips and feel ready to get back to work, check out PasTest, who offer a variety of online revision aids for medical students.