Zen and the art of hangover maintenance, part 2

Maintenance
Sometimes, all the prevention in the world is not going to help you the morning after. Other times, you will simply be unable to remember all the preventative steps. More likely than note, you will have to deal with maintaining your hangover. We are not here discussing maintenance in terms of keeping it up, but in terms of managing and coping with your hangover. Unfortunately, there is no cure-all, no hangover miracle that can get you out of your battled state. The best you can try for is to ride it out and to make the ride as pleasant as possible.

Chemicals: legal
Chemicals are a dangerous road to travel for the hung-over wayfarer. At this point, your body has taken a pounding and is not in a normal state. Adding to this mix may prove a bit volatile. Aspirin or similar pain-killers never hurt, but care should be taken with products like Pepto Bismol, as they may have some unpleasant side-effects. Obviously, if you are required to take medications, for God's sake, take them. Avoid any unnecessary stimulants or depressants, as they will tend to make the ride rougher and longer.

Chemicals: illegal
There are some who claim that "glaucoma medicine" is a good way to get through the hangover. It definitely will take the edge off the morning. Unfortunately, it will tend to shoot the rest of the day to hell. Other illegal are strenuously discouraged at this point. You really don't need to be seeing god while you are praying to the false porcelain idol.

Food
When you awaken, especially if you've been driving the porcelain bus, food may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, eating will be necessary to both replace nutrients lost the evening before, and to fuel your recovery. Many find coffee a useful aid in getting into the breakfast spirit. I personally find that tomato juice, preferably with some lemon juice on top can bolster a sagging appetite like nothing else. I have personally had some Jesusesque returns from the dead with the juice of the tomato.

In food selection, try to avoid a lot of heavy food. Eat lightly, and aim for some protein: A good diner will have a "special" breakfast for around $5. This is exactly what the doctor ordered. Just stay away from the "Country" breakfast.

Rest
You partied, drank, and danced into the wee hours of the morning, and it is bound to take its toll. An afternoon siesta, especially after a meal, can often make the difference between being able to take on the world for another go around that evening, and sitting at home.

If you are lucky, the above should be sufficient, but if you are in a real bad way, you may need stronger treatment.