Best hangover cures to beat post-booze blues!
Experts’ quick and easy tips for fast recovery from New Year over indulgence
The after-feeling from a night out can be draining and filled with fatigue. And, with masks still present, it’s all about the eyes, writes Christine Emelone. So here are eight quick and easy tips from Feel Good Contacts optician Sharon Copeland on how best to tackle post-party puffiness and bags under tired eyes to ensure your New Year peepers look perky.
1 Use Witch Hazel
This acts as a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties.
It has a tightening effect on the skin which means that it is great for controlling bags and puffiness under the eyes by shrinking blood vessels.
Simply soak two cotton wool balls in witch hazel and place them on closed eyes for about ten minutes.
2 Freeze your spoons
Place two metal spoons in the freezer for a couple of minutes.
Then place the cup of the spoons over your closed eyes for a minute. The chill will help to reduce the swelling.
3 Tea bags can do wonders
Wear chilled and used tea bags under your eyes as eye masks.
The antioxidants and caffeine content will help to tighten and de-puff the eye area.
4 Cucumber or potatoes
Try chilled slices of cucumber or chilled raw potato slices over your eyes.
The enzymes in potatoes will perk up your peepers.
5 Be sure to rest well
The key to keeping puffiness and bags under your eyes at bay is to catch up on sleep.
Aim for 7-8 hours of rest to ensure you recharge your body and mind.
6 Water is your friend
Drink plenty of water – you should be drinking two litres a day.
7 Take an effective pill
Eye bags can also be caused by allergies. Take antihistamines.
8 Try a refreshing face mask
Give Thera-Pearl Eye Mask a go, available from Feel Good Contacts.
This £7 mask has been developed by eye care professionals Bausch & Lamb to help to reduce puffiness.
Designed with latest technology, small pearls can remain cool for long periods of time.
Simply chill in the freezer for two hours then let it sit over your eyes for doctor-recommended 20 minutes.
Spire Healthcare doctors also answer hangover questions.
1 How best to replenish the body?
Hydrate yourself by drinking water. You can usually replace any lost electrolytes easily through food.Bananas are a good source of potassium while avocados, nuts and sweet potatoes are good sources of magnesium.
Avoid foods that will be harder for your body to digest such as dairy products, refined sugar and fatty meat. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, soups and broths.
2 What is the most common myth we seem to believe?
The biggest myth is drinking lots of water can prevent or cure a hangover. This isn’t true as the rate at which your body clears toxins produced by drinking alcohol, which is what causes hangovers, can’t be changed.
3 What happens to the body during a ‘binge’ period?
Binge drinking has serious short and long-term effects. In the short term, it can cause dehydration, nausea and poor judgement.In the long term, it can cause weight gain and heart problems.
Quitting alcohol for even a month, such as during coming Dry January, can help reduce some of the effects of binge drinking, specifically helping lower your blood pressure while reducing your weight and risk of diabetes.