When you think of hangover cures, you either lean on the practical side or you swing for the fences. Whether you reach for aspirin or a Corpse Reviver, however, there’s a universal desire to relax when your head feels about three sizes too big. Give your poor body the TLC it deserves and quit chasing waterfalls of bourbon.
Oxygen Treatments
Though only officially approved by doctors for altitude sickness, oxygen treatments have become a popular hangover cure in recent years. The idea is that increasing your oxygen levels helps to increase your metabolism, thus helping your body process all that alcohol. Fifteen-minute sessions at oxygen bars typically start around $15, but steer clear of flavored varieties since the oils can cause problems with your lungs. The St. Regis Aspen Resort offers up a treatment complete with champagne if you want to roll two cures into one and blame the altitude for your nausea.
High-End Ramen
Say goodbye to your instant ramen and introduce yourself to luxuriously crafted ramen bowls. In New York City, you used to be able to swing by Koa for ramen that would set you back $150. On the plus side, you could eat gold flakes and can keep their fancy chopsticks, but people figured out you can get prime ramen at JINYA Ramen Bar for a fraction of the cost. The chain takes the oily, carb-heavy delight of ramen and adds decadent ingredients like wagyu beef and Maine lobster. Based in Los Angeles, JINYA has restaurants sprinkled throughout North America that are ready to soak up your booze and bad decisions. Kidding, you have to live with those.
Hair of the Dog
There’s a reason mimosas are the crown jewels of brunch: nothing classes up the hair of the dog like some champagne. Stop settling for André and go for some rosé (no matter what your hair of the dog is, please stop drinking André). If you have half a grand for a bottle of Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades, go ahead and channel your inner Jay-Z, but we have a feeling rosés like Domaine de Cala are more in your price range.
Chilling Spa Sessions
You’ve probably heard that saunas rank as one of the best hangover cures, but have you heard of a hot and cold treatment? After some time in a sauna, you’re typically placed in a cold or ice bath and, in some cases, returned to a sauna or hot tub. In addition to releasing toxins from your body, you also improve circulation with the forced relaxation and constriction of your blood vessels. Not cold enough for you? Head up to Canada for North America’s sole cold spa, Sparkling Hill Resort. For $45, you can try cryotherapy and enjoy the endorphin-filled effects of a few minutes spent at 166 degrees Fahrenheit below zero.
Melt into a Stranger’s Hands
If you can’t bear the idea of sweating and freezing your hangover away, a massage is another great way to hit the spa. Ideal for those particularly awful hangovers when moving is a struggle, massages can help your lymphatic system get rid of toxins. Most spas have specific massages just for this purpose, occasionally combined with other techniques like dry brushing.
Get a Drip
An I.V. drip, that is. Made popular by Dr. Elliot Nadelson, I.V. treatments have made their way through celebrities and have recently been appearing as VIP bonuses at festivals. Packed with vitamins and electrolytes, above all else, these hangover cures are highly effective at hydration. In roughly 15 minutes, your body will slowly start to function again, all to the tune of $250.
