It’s easy to go overboard when it comes to two popular past-times: alcohol and overeating. It’s enjoyable in the moment but can cause a lot of problems for you the next day. 

You don’t have to endure the aftermath on your own. If you’re not sure how to take care of yourself after overindulging with a few drinks or a big meal, here’s a look at why we overindulge and how to survive it the following day. 

Why we tend to overindulge 

There are several reasons we tend to overindulge in drinking or eating excessively. These are often due to specific situations and our feelings. For example, big events such as weddings and parties lead to lots of alcohol and large amounts of foods. The mood in these settings is overwhelmingly positive and we get in “the spirit” to eat and drink to our hearts content.

Other times, we reward ourselves with meals and drinking after a hard day at work, as a way to relax. In another way, we overindulge to handle a stressful situation.

This is where we can get into a bit of trouble trying to take care of ourselves the next day. 

What happens when we overindulge? 

The next day, there’s a good chance we’re not feeling as spirited as we had the night before. This is common but can cause a whole lot of discomfort. Here are common symptoms caused by overindulging in alcohol and overeating (leading to digestive issues). 

Alcohol: When we over-drink we often wake up with a hangover. The severity of the hangover depends on several things, such as age and how much alcohol was consumed. 

Common symptoms of a hangover:

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Discomfort

These things are difficult to handle abruptly the following morning after a night of fun and liquor. But it’s not impossible to start preventative measures right now so when you drink again, the next morning won’t be such a problem. 

Digestion: A common reaction to poor or painful digestion is overeating. By overeating, we stretch our stomach which can cause discomfort and pain. 

Common symptoms of overeating and digestive issues:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Discomfort
• Stomach aches

Digestive issues and symptoms can vary depending on the person, including their medical history, age, weight, and how much they overindulged. Regardless, indigestion and many problems associated with it can be very painful the following day if not treated quickly and effectively. 

What are some treatments and solutions for overindulgence?

The good news is there are a few treatments you can do at home while you nurse symptoms of overindulgence. 

Digestion: One of the major things to do is attempt to take note of which foods cause you to feel nauseated, uncomfortable, or trigger stomach aches. Fatty foods tend to cause heartburn and discomfort quickly. Which is why your pharmacist may recommend you to eat foods high in fibre to combat it. 

Additionally, make sure to eat slowly and chew your food plenty before swallowing. This is to limit the bloated feeling you may endure the next morning. And drink lots of fluids while you eat to keep your digestive tract lubricated and healthy.

You may also require supplements, such as probiotics, to help keep your health in check. The types of supplements available can be very overwhelming, especially on the day you are feeling pain from overindulgence. 

This is the best time to ask your pharmacist what they’d recommend based on your current (and past) digestive symptoms. They may also recommend additional products to reduce the discomfort caused by bloating and heartburn. 

Alcohol: If you’ve awoken with a hangover, there are a few options to help reduce the pain. For example, get plenty of rest without straining yourself. You should also keep hydrated with water during the hangover.

The next time you plan to overindulge in alcohol, it’s recommended to drink slowly and when your stomach is full. Drink water in between alcoholic drinks because it will greatly reduce the chances of dehydration. It may also stop you from overindulging, or possibly limit the effects of the hangover the next day. 

Time is often required to overcome a hangover. But you can also talk with your pharmacist about other potential home treatments or medications to limit the overindulgence effects of alcohol. 

You can talk to your pharmacist about:

Your symptoms, including what they are, how long they’ve been happening, and if they’re common when you overindulge. Also, discuss which (if any) current medications you’re taking have caused bad reactions after overindulging.  

Being as transparent as possible during this conversation is highly recommended so your pharmacist can make accurate suggestions based on your needs.

Do remember…

When we overindulge in alcohol, as well as with foods that cause digestive strain, it can feel overwhelming the next day. But we can use specific methods prior to prevent painful symptoms and stomach aches. 

If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist and their team. It’s important to have an open discussion with them so you can enjoy alcohol and eat healthily.