What Is a Monday Morning Hangover?
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Mondays can be rough; they are definitive proof that the weekend is over, and it’s time to get back to work as usual. So it is completely normal to want to find a way to cope with this. Of course, there are those who may go a bit overboard when it comes to handling ‘Sunday Funday festivities. With this in mind, let’s tackle the Monday hangover blues together!
Enjoying an alcoholic beverage the night before a dreaded Monday is perfectly fine, and is quite common when going out or spending time with friends. However, there is such a thing as having too much to drink.
Unfortunately, getting overly intoxicated the night before a busy Monday morning can have harsh consequences, the most common of which takes the form of the infamous Monday Morning Hangover.
Hangover Symptoms
When someone goes to bed after drinking too much, they are preventing their body from effectively ridding itself of the toxins and effects of this alcohol. This can cause them to feel worse upon waking up in the morning. In other words, they will be hungover.
Typical symptoms of a hangover may include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Excessive thirst
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vertigo
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Increased blood pressure
These symptoms can last for several hours, and may even cause a person to feel sick throughout the remainder of the day. In some cases, more severe hangovers may indicate alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening without immediate medical treatment.
How Common Are Monday Hangovers?
Many people have a Sunday here and there where they drink far more than they should. For example, Super Bowl Sunday is a massively celebrated annual event in the U.S. and is usually one that often involves quite a lot of drinking.
However, while this popular day has certainly resulted in its fair share of Monday hangovers, a person does not necessarily have to be celebrating the Super Bowl to drink too much.
Unfortunately, this Monday phenomenon of reaping the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption is commonly found to occur amongst individuals struggling with alcohol abuse.
In these cases, there are far more negative consequences to their drinking problems than just a bad hangover. For individuals with extreme addictions to this substance, these effects may end up becoming life-threatening.
What are the Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse?
There are several warning signs that may indicate that someone is struggling with an addiction to alcohol. While it can be painful to acknowledge habits of substance abuse in yourself or a loved one, it is absolutely necessary in order to be able to get help.
Some of the warning signs you can look out for that may indicate alcohol abuse include:
- Experiencing blackouts or short-term memory loss.
- Increased irritability and extreme mood swings.
- Consistently using alcohol to relax, handle stress or feel normal.
- Choosing to drink over taking care of responsibilities and obligations.
- Increased social isolation and breakdowns in personal relationships.
- Drinking alone or doing so secretly.
- Experiencing hangover symptoms even without being or having been drunk.
- Increased issues or complications at work.
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyable hobbies or activities.
How to Manage Your Monday Hangover
Dealing with a Monday is tough enough on its own, let alone having to do so while hungover. While it may feel like a good idea to just stay home and go back to sleep, this may not be an option for many people.
Fortunately, there are ways that you can manage your Monday hangover, without having to miss work or any of life’s other responsibilities. Keep reading to see some of the top tips for boosting your health after a big night spent having a little too much fun.
Try Not to Fall Asleep
Now, this one may seem a little obvious; but finding the energy to start the day while hungover really can feel impossible for some people. However, it is doable.
Drinking coffee or tea can not only give you the boost you need to get going, but the caffeine these provide can also help to alleviate any headaches caused by your hangover.
Taking cold showers can also give you a boost of energy by shocking your system back to an alert and refreshed state. Hot showers may also help to relieve muscle aches, and release toxins from your body with the steam they can produce.
Practice Clean Eating
With nausea and stomach pain that can come with a bad hangover, many people may feel worse when they try to eat. But providing your body with essential nutrients and sustenance is essential not just in recovering from drinking, but for your overall health as well.
It can be helpful to periodically munch on food items packed with essential vitamins and minerals throughout the day. This may include bananas, which can help balance your potassium levels or carrots.
Protein bars or nuts may also be a good snack food that should not make you feel sicker and will help to keep your body strong and properly fueled.
Eggs also contain protein, as well as an amino acid called cysteine that breaks down acetaldehyde, one of the main toxins produced when the liver breaks down alcohol. Eggs also contain high levels of B vitamins, which have been found to be an effective hangover cure.
Stay Hydrated
It is always important not to forget to stay hydrated, as getting enough fluids is essential for several of your bodily systems to function properly. However, this is even more necessary when recovering from a hangover.
Drinking electrolyte-rich drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade, can help restore your body back to optimum performance levels.
Pink grapefruit juice has also been found to be particularly effective in activating liver enzymes, which can speed up the metabolism of any toxins lingering around in your body.
Get Some Exercise
While it may feel easier just to sit at your desk and wonder why life can be so cruel at times, a good rule of thumb when hungover is to make sure you are staying active.
Of course, this does not mean you need to do a full, high-intensity workout set at your local gym. Rather, getting in a light walk and some fresh air, or doing a bit of yoga can help get your blood flowing, which helps to further clear toxic substances from the body.
Moderate exercise can also boost energy and productivity levels, which can certainly score some brownie points with your boss.
Find the Right Addiction Treatment Options For Your Needs
While a Monday Morning hangover may not be an outright sign of alcohol abuse, if this becomes a recurring pattern, then it may be a good sign you or a loved one is struggling with addiction.
Unfortunately, none of the tips listed above can help cure alcoholism. However, professional addiction treatment services can.
At Rehabs Of Armerica, we are dedicated to connecting people like you with substance abuse treatment options that meet all of your personal care needs. Our hotline is available 24/7 to provide you with recovery resources and support anytime you need it.
So make the right choice, and call us today to get started on your path to addiction recovery, where you can re-discover what it’s like to experience a Monday morning hangover-free.
Eric R. hails from Maine and does extensive work in the field of behavioral health as both a professional writer and passionate advocate for those suffering. From his own personal encounters with mental illness, he speaks to those seeking healthy relief from depression and anxiety and embraces wellness both personally and professionally. After losing friends and family to the darkness of suicide, Eric aims to educate and inform about the nature of treatment and render it accessible for all those seeking a way out of darkness and despair.
