how to: survive a hangover

Hangovers, for me, are not a consequence. They are an event.

There is a version of me that wakes up, surveys the damage, and decides that this, in fact, is the worst one yet. Every single time.

But after years of what can only be described as field research, I've landed on a system. Not a cure (if you find one, please let me know immediately), but a

way to get from horizontal and regretful to something semi resembling a human by the end of the day.

Here's how.

01  clean the night before

I know, I know - asking you to think about tomorrow while you're three tequilas deep is a big ask. But hear me out: fresh sheets, a stocked fridge, and a clean bathroom are the difference between waking up in chaos and waking up in something resembling comfort. You won't remember doing this kindness for yourself, but you'll absolutely feel it.

02  hydrate like it's your job

Plain water is fine. Plain water with SULT electrolytes in it is better. I'm not going to pretend I understand the full science behind it, but I do know the difference between a day spent horizontal and a day spent functioning, and it usually comes down to whether I bothered with this step.

One thing worth knowing: experts recommend getting through about 30 ounces of water before you even think about coffee. Coffee can wreak havoc on my stomach on a good day, let alone a hangover, so I try to limit it (RIP iced oat caramel).

03  get in the shower as soon as you can stomach it

There is something almost spiritual about standing under hot water when you feel like a worst-case scenario. This is non-negotiable Salt & Stone territory for me - something that spells expensive enough to convince you you're not actually dying, just having a moment.

04  stay in bed (it's a rite of passage, okay)

This is not me being lazy. This is recovery. There is a very specific kind of bed-rot that only a hangover earns you, and I will defend your right to 2pm naps until the end of time.

05  toast first, nutrition later

Buttered toast is the only thing my stomach will agree to in the first hour, plain and simple. Later in the day, once you're feeling more human, that's when the real meal comes in. Steak and potatoes is my go-to, and if you want to feel really smug, throw a vegetable in there too.

SULT Variety Pack: £19.99 Salt & Stone Body Wash: £36