How Not to Die From A Hangover!

Celebrated Friday like it was your last night on Earth (and prosecco was about to be discontinued)? Us too. But fear not: pop a paracetamol and down some water for your head. Here’s how to fix the rest...

- Jennifer Savin

1. THE THROAT HANGOVER

So, they played Rihanna’s Work last night, and sure, you only understand half the lyrics, but you lost your sh*t to it anyway—and now you sound like one of Bart Simpson’s aunts. “Both shouting and drinking alcohol can irritate the muscles in the throat and cause them to swell. Swelling is what causes your sore throat and husky voice the next day,” explains Dr Adam Simon, Chief Medical Officer at pushdoctor.co.uk. “Gargling warm salt water (no more than half a teaspoon in a standard glass of room-temperature H2O) is the best way to reduce swelling.” A more hangover friendly option is a hot shower—steam helps to rehydrate your throat and makes it feel less scratchy.

If you find yourself having to speak, do instant damage control by drinking plenty of fluids. Chamomile tea acts as an anti-inflammatory and reduces throat pain. Ditto with ginger and peppermint tea. Add a splash of honey—which works as a ‘hyprtonic osmotic’ (oh yeah, you’re fancy)—to help drain water away from inflamed tissue, easing the ouch.

2. THE HEELS HANGOVER

As a woman who doesn’t give up easily, last night you made a commitment to your highest heels. Now you’re walking like John Wayne. Due to the unnatural position those Christian Louboutin beauties cause our bodies to adopt, you overcompensate for being tilted forward by leaning back—which wrecks havoc on your lower back, knees and ankles, says Dipesh Raja, Podiatrist and Director of London’s Footopia clinic. The calf muscle in the back of the leg contracts too, with more pressure being placed on the balls of her feet.