The arrival of the new year often brings with it a feeling of renewed motivation and a desire to start afresh. It’s a time to set ambitious goals for the year ahead and make positive changes.
For most people, that means focusing on better health, being more active, eating right, and drinking less. But despite this desire for a fresh start, it’s not always easy to get off on the right foot.
New year remains one of the biggest celebrations of the year. So even if you don’t drink all that often, it’s easy to wake up with a headache and feeling a little worse for wear on January 1st.
Even when you’re not hungover, long, dark mornings combined with miserable weather and the festive period in the rear-view mirror can make bouncing out of bed throughout January a struggle. And as we age, it becomes even harder.
So how do you tackle those challenging January mornings? Let’s explore the best ways to feel better in January, whether you’re battling the new year blues or still feeling the effects of the festive season.
How to deal with a new year hangover
New Year’s Eve is the day most people admit to taking it a bit too far with drinking, according to a survey by Alcohol.org. So starting the new year feeling as fresh as your ambitions is challenging, with many waking up on January 1st with a hangover instead.
With so many big things to achieve in the next 12 months, not feeling your best is hardly the ideal way to start the year.
It can be particularly hard to pick yourself up after a night of celebrations as you get older, too. Especially if you don’t go out as much as you used to.
Why do hangovers hit harder as we age?
Springing out of bed in the morning happens a little less as we get older. And there’s even less chance of doing so after a big night. Plenty of people complain about hangovers hitting harder as we age, but is there any science behind it, or is it just a case of looking back through rose-tinted glasses that gloss over those wasted mornings of our youth?
There’s little research into the effect of aging and hangovers, but there are some links between the two. Hangovers may feel worse as you get older due to:
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A slower metabolism, which means your body may take longer to metabolise alcohol
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Decreased liver function that produces less of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), creating an acetaldehyde buildup that worsens hangover symptoms
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Less body water content in older adults, so there’s a greater concentration of alcohol in the bloodstream
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Taking more medication or developing health conditions that are sensitive to alcohol consumption
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A lower tolerance to alcohol if you drink less frequently and in lower amounts, so you’re not as used to hangovers and their effects.
If you’re finding it harder to brush off a hangover as you age, or just not feeling as fresh as you’d like to in the morning, there are a few important steps you can take to minimise the risk and manage it effectively.
A simple new year hangover plan for older adults
Planning a New Year’s Eve party or heading out for the night? You’ll want to prepare for the morning after to avoid waking up feeling worse for wear.
Use these tips to build a simple hangover plan and start January with a spring in your step rather than a slump.
Have home remedies ready
There are loads of home remedies for hangovers, so it’s important to figure out what works for you and have them to hand when required. Electrolytes and sports drinks are popular because they help replenish sodium, potassium and magnesium while rehydrating – key minerals that are depleted by drinking alcohol.
Humans Against contains these as part of its 24 active ingredients, vitamins, and minerals, all working together to help alleviate hangover symptoms and fight fatigue for a fresh start to the new year. Simply mix with cold water for a tasty drink that boosts your energy levels and helps you feel human again.
Other potential home remedies include drinking lemon juice, sugar water, or coconut water. It’s important to note that while these remedies may relieve symptoms, they’re not a complete cure for a hangover.
Follow your pharmacist’s advice
General pharmacist advice is to use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief carefully during a hangover. Take it the morning after and not before going to bed, as alcohol and paracetamol are both processed by your liver, so dealing with both at once could overwork it and increase the risk of liver damage.
Paracetamol, aspirin, and Ibuprofen may relieve headaches, but they can also irritate your stomach – not ideal if you’re already feeling nauseous. When you take any medication, always check with your pharmacist or doctor before drinking to ensure it’s safe to consume alcohol alongside it.
Prepare before you party
Good preparation in advance of a big New Year’s night out can help minimise the risk and severity of a hangover. Drink plenty of water before and during your night out to mitigate the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
You should also eat before you go out. Dairy and carbohydrates help line the stomach to slow down alcohol absorption and prevent blood alcohol levels from peaking too quickly. Stay away from crisps, nuts, and other salty snacks (where possible), as they can make you thirsty and encourage you to drink more.
Tackle the morning
Don’t waste the morning. If you’re not feeling fresh, here are a few simple things you can try to help you feel revived and make the most of the day ahead:
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Drink plenty of water to rehydrate
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Add some electrolytes to your glass of water to fight fatigue
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Eat something healthy to replenish lost nutrients and increase blood sugar levels
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Have a cold shower, if you can bear it, to get rid of any grogginess
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Go for a walk to improve circulation, clear your head, and get some fresh air.
Cook a revitalising breakfast
Eating breakfast every morning is vital to provide your body with the energy it needs to fuel you for the day. It’s even more important when hungover to replenish the vitamins and minerals lost the night before.
These are some popular breakfast ideas containing nutrients that might help fight off hangover symptoms:
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Eggs (scrambled, poached, fried, boiled, or any preparation) contain cysteine, which breaks down acetaldehyde, responsible for many hangover symptoms.
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Bananas are full of potassium and easy to eat as they’re soft and digestible. Slice one up and enjoy with cereal or on toast.
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Avocado is rich in potassium and other vitamins that restore electrolytes. Smash it and spread on toast for extra carbs and energy.
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Pho helps hydrate while being salty to replenish sodium. It takes more time to prepare, but you can adapt the recipe to your tastes.
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Fruit juice and green tea are ideal if you’re not up to eating much. Fruit juice provides essential vitamins, while green tea has antioxidants that help protect the liver.
New year, new you: Feel better every morning in January
Hangovers aren’t the only thing that can disrupt your mornings in January. The first month of the year is all about fresh starts, resolutions, and setting new personal goals. Around 39% of new year’s resolutions are health-related, according to YouGov research. Eating healthy, exercising, and drinking less alcohol are common aims.
It’s important to begin every day right in January (and beyond) to make the most of the mornings and work towards these goals. Better mornings mean you’ll be up, refreshed, and energised for a strong start to the year. But it’s not as easy when the weather is bad, the mornings are dark and you’re not feeling your best.
Your at-home kit to feel better every morning
Having a get-up-and-go kit ready with a few key items at home can help you start every morning the right way. Make sure it’s focused on energising, hydrating and refreshing to give you the best possible start every day and banish wasted mornings throughout January.
Stock your morning kit with:
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Bottles of water to help keep you hydrated
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Porridge pots, sachets, or boxes for energy, digestion, and blood sugar support
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Bananas for a quick boost of potassium, fibre, and energy. Add to toast, porridge, or eat on their own for a nutritious and healthy breakfast
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Humans Against sachets, to ensure you have all the vitamins and minerals that’ll help you maintain focus and support energy production
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Green and ginger tea bags to boost your immune system and metabolism, as well as promoting calmness.
Top tips to start the new year right
Home remedy kits can help get your morning off to a great start, but you’ll also need to focus on other things to make the most of every day in the new year.
A good sleep pattern is essential for physical and mental health. It helps with weight maintenance and heart health, and boosts your immune system. Strong sleep schedules benefit concentration and focus, improving your chances of sticking to your resolutions. You’ll wake up energised and ready to tackle the day.
What you eat and how you fuel your body are also important. Following a healthy, balanced diet should help you feel better physically and reduce the risk of illness. If you’re active and going to the gym, running, cycling, or doing any other exercise, then a good diet should support your performance. And after the festive season, focusing on your diet can also be a great way to get back on track and feel energised for the year ahead.
No wasted January mornings
Start the new year fresh and set yourself on a path to success by banishing wasted January mornings. Tackle those cold, dark, wet winter days with boosted energy and a positive outlook.
Focusing on your health, diet, sleep and overall wellbeing should mean you’ll wake up ready to make the most of every morning in January. And if you do find yourself waking up with a hangover or just need a morning pick-me-up, try our product to transform your mornings throughout January and beyond.