What Not to Do When Hungover: Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

The Hangover Struggle: What Really Happens to Your Body?

Ah, the dreaded hangover. That painful, sluggish, never-ending feeling the day after you went a little too hard. You know the drill—headache, nausea, fatigue, and the general sense that you’re never going to recover. I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. But here’s the kicker: What you do when you’re hungover can either make things worse or help you feel better. So, what should you avoid doing? Let’s break it down.

Don’t Make the Mistake of Skipping Hydration

Water is Your Lifeline

If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for coffee or sugary drinks when hungover, trust me, I get it. I’ve tried everything from chugging soda to sipping on a latte, thinking it would help. But nope. The reality is, alcohol dehydrates your body, and the first thing you should do is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Skipping this step is a huge mistake.

When I had one of my worst hangovers after a friend’s birthday party, I thought some greasy food would cure me, but I ended up feeling worse. My friend Sarah—who’s had her fair share of hangovers—reminded me that water should be my first choice. It might sound boring, but I immediately felt a little better after drinking a few glasses of water. If you can handle it, coconut water is a good option, too—it’s packed with electrolytes and helps replenish what your body lost.

Avoid the Coffee Trap

Now, about coffee—it's tempting, right? A strong cup of coffee sounds like the perfect solution to shake off that groggy feeling. But here's the thing: Coffee is a diuretic, which means it makes you pee more and, you guessed it, it dehydrates you further. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way, especially after a night of tequila shots followed by a desperate search for caffeine. Spoiler: It didn’t end well.

Don’t Reach for Greasy Food Right Away

Why Your Body Needs Something Lighter

Yes, I know, a greasy burger or a giant plate of fries sounds like the perfect “cure” after a night of overindulgence. Trust me, I’ve fallen for that trap before. But eating fatty foods too soon might slow down your recovery instead of speeding it up. Your stomach is already struggling to process the alcohol, and throwing heavy food into the mix can make things worse.

After one particularly brutal hangover, I made the mistake of going straight for pizza. Big mistake. My stomach just wasn’t having it. Instead, I tried something lighter—toast with honey and some fruit—and surprisingly, it worked wonders. The carbs helped absorb alcohol remnants, and the fruit gave me a much-needed vitamin boost.

Go for Nutrient-Dense Foods

If you’re craving food, aim for something light but nutrient-rich, like a banana or some eggs. They provide potassium, proteins, and vitamins that can help you bounce back faster. Avoiding anything too greasy or sugary is key to helping your body heal and avoid that sluggish feeling.

Don’t Stay in Bed All Day

A Little Movement Goes a Long Way

Look, I get it—when you’re hungover, the idea of moving at all feels like a monumental task. But staying in bed all day can actually make your symptoms worse. Lack of movement can slow down your metabolism, making it harder for your body to process the alcohol.

I’ll be honest, after one wild night out, I spent the entire day binge-watching Netflix in bed, thinking it would help. Guess what? It didn’t. In fact, I felt more tired and groggy as the day went on. A friend of mine—let’s call her Emily—once told me she swore by taking a brisk walk after a hangover. At first, I was skeptical, but I tried it. And honestly, after just 20 minutes of walking, I felt a little more alive. I’m not saying you need to run a marathon, but a little movement can help speed up the recovery process.

Don’t Overexert Yourself, but Stretch!

If you’re feeling up to it, even some light stretching or yoga can help. These gentle movements stimulate blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and even ease the tension in your head. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this, especially when you’ve been lying around all day.

Don’t Ignore the Pain, but Don’t Overmedicate

Painkillers: Use Them Wisely

So, you’ve got a pounding headache, nausea, and maybe even a little bit of dizziness. It’s tempting to reach for some painkillers, right? But be careful, especially with medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol). Your liver is already working overtime to deal with the alcohol, and adding Tylenol can put extra strain on it.

Instead, try something milder like ibuprofen (Advil), but even then, moderation is key. If you're unsure, it's always better to ask a healthcare provider about the safest option. I’ve definitely overdone it before, and while I felt better temporarily, my stomach was far from happy.

Consider Natural Remedies

Some natural remedies might help alleviate your hangover symptoms. Ginger tea can help with nausea, and peppermint tea can soothe your stomach. Hydrating with something like a homemade electrolyte drink (water, a pinch of salt, and a splash of juice) can also support your body’s recovery. I know it sounds a little "hippie," but after I tried it, I felt like I was doing something good for my body.

Conclusion: Listen to Your Body

At the end of the day, the key to surviving a hangover is to be mindful of what your body needs. Don’t fall for the quick fixes like greasy food or too much caffeine. Instead, focus on hydration, light nutrition, gentle movement, and avoiding overmedication. Trust me, your body will thank you.

Next time you’re dealing with a hangover, remember these tips. I won’t lie—it still won’t be pleasant, but it’ll definitely be more manageable. You’ve got this!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.