Every October, sour gummy lovers and chocolate bar connoisseurs from far and wide come together despite differences to celebrate one magical day. Yes folks, it’s Halloween time, and unless you’re some sort of superhero (TBD on whether or not simply dressing like one does the trick), you can expect to be tangled up in sugar’s web at some point. And it’s all fun and games until you wake up with a pounding headache, exceptional morning breath, and a case of the couch potatoes. But if you’re looking for both a festive Hallow’s Eve and productive November 1st, you’ve come to the right antioxidant infusion. Here are some steps to a successful morning after.
1. Go Chasing Waterfalls
Your body uses water when absorbing sugar from your blood stream. So the more gummy worms you pick on, the less water your body will be working with the morning after, and the stronger your headache likely will be. Dehydration causes inflammation (like irritated, chapped lips caused by a dry mouth), which is the root of the pounding in your noggin. Drinking water will help to dilute the sugar in your body and get everything working like a well-oiled machine again. Double whammy if you re-boot with Antiwater; the electrolytes make for a speedy recovery.
2. Sweat It Out
It may be the last thing you feel like doing, but getting your heart pumping and your sweat dripping can be super helpful when it comes to soreness and ‘meh’ energy levels. 20-30 minutes of cardio exercise (a brisk walk, an easy jog, a breezy bike ride, etc) will help stimulate the release of endorphins. This group of hormones is responsible for the ‘runner’s high’ and will naturally provide you with energy and pain relief.
3. Slow It Down
Simple sugar is by far the quickest and easiest form of energy for your body, hence the infamous ‘sugar rush.’ And even though the crash follows shortly, your blood sugar still remains affected for hours after eating (which is why you have to fast for at least 9 hours when getting your blood sugar tested). So if you’re still feeling sweet the morning after, eat blood sugar-regulating foods. This includes fiber, fat and protein, all of which slow down digestion and help to curb any more sugar from entering your bloodstream.
4. Give Your Gut Some Love
A sugary stomach causes all sorts of imbalance in your gut, from pH to the microscopic community. Sugar 1) creates acid, which helps certain bad bacteria thrive and 2) is a preferred food of these bacteria, allowing them to grow even faster. Help out the good guys by eating acid-reducing foods like dark leafy greens, lemon and ginger, and foods containing probiotics like yogurt, kimchi and kefir.
5. Move On
One of the worst things you can do for a sugar hangover is refusing to feed your body in attempt to balance the caloric scales. Food and water are necessary for returning your blood sugar and energy levels back to baseline. Calories are not your enemy; they’re fuel! Reach for nutritious food and drink, and look forward into November. There’s no use in stressing over last night’s treats. Halloween comes once a year- you deserve to enjoy it!
