Surviving the ups – and downs – of festival fun
KATIE WRIGHT gets some timely advice from health experts on how to get back on track after a big weekend
Glastonbury might be behind us, but festival season is just beginning, which means there are going to be plenty of exhausted revellers having to deal with the consequences of a hedonistic weekend (or longer) of partying this summer.
Lack of sleep, overindulging on booze, fizzy drinks and junk food means music festivals can leave you feeling a shadow of your former self.
Plus, there’s the risk of sunburn and heatstroke (particularly if you’ve ventured to a European event), or maybe you’ve been shivering in the rain all weekend.
Here, health experts explain what to do in the post-festival days to fasttrack your recovery...
Drink your hangover away
As well as drinking plenty of water, Rob Hobson, head of nutrition at Healthspan (healthspan. co.uk), recommends using herbs and spices as a natural hangover cure.
“Fresh mint with lemon and a little honey works well (in hot water) – mint helps to alleviate bloating and gas,” he says. “Another brilliant combination is pouring boiling water over freshly squeezed lemons, ground turmeric, ground ginger and honey. This spicy combination works well to perk you up, and the ginger can help settle delicate tummies.”
Get to bed on time
“Get a full eight hours sleep for the first week after the festival,” says Giulia Guerrini, lead pharmacist at Medino (medino.com).
But avoid daytime naps, Giulia says, adding: “You may be inclined to get more sleep to try and ‘catch up’, however you don’t want to oversleep, as that can also be damaging.”
Resume your routine
It may be tempting to flop in front of the telly and order a takeaway, but the sooner you get back to homecooked meals, the better.
“Try to get back to your normal routine as quickly as possible,” Giulia advises. “Take yourself to your local supermarket and do your weekly food shop, making sure you’re purchasing healthier items to try and counteract the unhealthier food you might have eaten at the festival.”
Have a salt bath
A soothing soak in an Epsom salt bath could have multiple post-festival benefits.
“When Epsom salt is dissolved in water, magnesium ions are released,” explains Dr Ravi Tomar, GP partner at Portland Medical (portlandmedicalcentre.co.uk).
“Bathing in this has been shown to increase the levels found in the body. Magnesium plays a role in sleep and stress management, as it helps produce the neurotransmitters responsible for this.”
And if your digestion has suffered from a lack of fibre, the salts can get things moving. “Magnesium can help bowel function, easing constipation as the magnesium draws water in to soften stool,” Dr Tomar explains.
Supplement support
As well as munching lots of fruit and veg, you might want to add some supplements to your diet to kick-start the recovery process.
“Try Berocca, which contains vitamin C, B vitamins, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium,” suggests Giulia. “That will help replace any nutrients lost through alcohol. Vitamin D is a great supplement to take daily, helping with your bones and joints, while also boosting your immune system.”