Quick Tips to Recover from Holiday Hangovers and Food Comas

Holidays and celebrations are all about fun, friends, and festive food, but let’s be honest—they can also leave you feeling less than fabulous. After indulging in rich meals and a few too many drinks, it’s easy to find yourself battling a hangover or stuck in a post-feast food coma. If you’ve ever felt sluggish, dehydrated, or just plain off the morning after a celebration, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are ways to bounce back and feel like yourself again.

Here are some tried-and-true tips that can help you recover quickly and get back to enjoying the season without guilt or discomfort.

Why Hangovers and Food Comas Happen

Let’s start with the science behind these common holiday aftereffects. When you drink alcohol, it depletes your body of essential nutrients, including vitamin B1 (thiamine), which plays a major role in mental clarity and stress management. Plus, alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it makes you pee more, leading to dehydration. This is why a heavy night of drinking can result in headaches, brain fog, low energy, and even anxiety.

Food comas, on the other hand, are the result of overeating rich, heavy foods. High-fat, high-carb, and high-protein meals—typical of holiday spreads—require a lot of energy to digest. These foods are often low in fiber and essential vitamins, which leads to sluggishness, bloating, and even constipation. The result? A food-induced fatigue that makes you just want to lie down for hours.

But don’t worry! These issues are temporary, and with a little TLC, you can get back on track quickly.

How to Recover from a Hangover

The best defense is a good offense, and a little planning can go a long way when it comes to preventing a hangover. If you know you’re going to have a night of drinking ahead, consider taking a multivitamin to help replenish your nutrients. You can also try enzymes that break down histamine, which is released by certain foods and drinks (like alcohol).

Another key prevention tactic is hydration. Start the day by drinking plenty of water, and be sure to drink a glass of water between alcoholic drinks and another before heading to bed. Moderation is always the best choice when it comes to alcohol consumption, but if you overdo it, make sure to rest and hydrate when you wake up.

If you’re suffering from a hangover, a headache could be a sign of electrolyte imbalance. Coconut water is excellent for rehydrating and replenishing your potassium levels. Green juices are also a great choice, particularly those with spinach, Swiss chard, and celery—ingredients rich in potassium and other essential minerals.

If you’re feeling nauseous, steer clear of citrus fruits and acidic foods. Instead, try sipping ginger tea or making my Ginger Aid Juice, which is specifically designed to calm an upset stomach.

Ginger Aid Juice Recipe

Makes 2 servings (16–20 ounces)

• 1 1/2 cups spinach
• 1 large cucumber
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 large pear, cored and seeded
• 1-inch piece ginger, peeled

Juice all ingredients, and enjoy!

Hangover Myths to Avoid

It’s tempting to try “hair of the dog” (drinking more alcohol) or indulging in greasy comfort foods to cure a hangover, but both of these can actually make your symptoms worse. More alcohol will only further dehydrate you, and greasy foods can upset your stomach even more. Stick with hydrating, nutrient-rich options like green juices and water, and you’ll feel better faster.

How to Recover from a Food Coma

Food comas happen when you’ve overeaten, especially foods that are heavy, rich, or full of carbs. It’s easy to eat more than you intend, and by the time you feel full, you’re often way past the point of comfort. So what can you do to feel better?

Start by hydrating again—water, ginger tea, or peppermint tea are all great choices. You can also try a probiotic or digestive enzyme to support your digestive system (though these work best when taken before meals). Taking a short walk after a big meal can also help your body digest food more effectively, preventing that bloated, sluggish feeling.

If you can, avoid lying down right after eating. Waiting a couple of hours before going to bed can help prevent heartburn and indigestion later on.

Getting Back on Track

The day after overindulging is the perfect time to give your digestion a break. To help your body reset, I recommend trying a simple cleanse or focusing on lighter, more nourishing foods that are easy to digest. A three-day cleanse, like the one in my Crazy Sexy Juice cookbook, can help you regain balance and feel back to normal in no time.

Whether you’ve overdone it with the holiday drinks or stuffed yourself with food, the key is not to punish yourself. Life’s about balance, and getting back on track with healthy habits will help you feel like the fabulous person you are in no time.

Remember, the holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so don’t let the aftermath ruin your vibe. With these simple tips, you can recover quickly and get back to celebrating.