There are happy times when people drink so much, and they get drunk while some people also drink and get drunk because they had a bad day, sad or depressed. But if you fall into any of this category and have an important running day the next day, this article is for you. YES! You.
You might be thinking that running will help you recover from a hangover, but it doesn’t if you are curious why I will like to break this down so you can agree with me that it is not advisable to run after a hangover.
How does alcohol metabolize in the body?
When you take alcohol, the body sees it as a strange substance that can be harmful, so it is sent to the liver where an enzyme known as “alcohol dehydrogenase” breaks down alcohol into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde, on the other hand, is toxic to the body, so the body tries to convert acetic acid. In summary, when you take alcohol, it reduces the water content in the body, and this is precisely when you experience dehydration.
Now back to running as a cure to a hangover. When you run the body releases endorphins, endorphins usually are hormones that reduce pain and give the body energy to carry out specific tasks. But when the body is dehydrated, it takes a lot to produce this hormone, and thereby you fit exhausted and useless. At this point, sweat is all over your body the exercise you should pleasure in as now become displeasure.
“But if I run, I will sweat out the alcohol and get relieved from the hangover”? A lot of people agree with this statement but what they did not know is that their body needed water more than the run, well, they believe they will feel sweaty and will need water. But they are actually giving the body what it exactly needs.
Can run instead of being a cure compounds hangover problem?
Yes, this can lead to a severe problem as stated earlier, endorphins help reduce the pain you feel when running. Still, the production of this hormone differs from one individual to another, so if you run with a hangover and your body didn’t produce enough of these endorphins, you can be in a serious problem. The symptoms you feel like a headache, nausea, etc. can become worse.
Are there benefits not to run with a hangover?
Yes, there are many benefits to not considering running as a cure to hangover apart from the physical effect you experience personally within your body. There is also a physiology benefit to this. Other benefits to consider are:
- You will have the maximum energy needed for your run
- Your performance will be exceedingly great, and you will be able to cover a long distance of your choice and at a specific time.
- You will avoid any risk of getting injured
- It will help you to enjoy the race and have fun to the fullest.
In conclusion, the best way to reduce your hangover symptoms is to drink a lot of water as much as possible, have a long rest, and take some drugs and food to help you get hydrated, and supply electrolytes need back into your system.
