It's happened to the best of us: one too many cocktails can bring on a sudden feeling of vertigo, or the overwhelming sense that the room spinning. This phenomenon is known, appropriately, as "the spins." Not only does it make it really hard to get home, but it might even keep you up all night feeling like a hot mess. Here's how to control the spins after drinking. Lay on your back on the edge of a bed. Take one leg off of the bed and place your foot on the floor. This may give the brain a sense of grounding and cause the spinning sensation to subside. Induce vomiting. It might be gross for a couple of minutes, but you'll be amazed at how much better the body feels after it purges toxins. For some people, this is the only way. Prevent the spins beforehand by padding the stomach before drinking. Eat foods high in fat and protein. Veggies and carbs break down quickly and won't spend enough time in your system. Filling the stomach slows down alcohol's absorption into the bloodstream so you can pace yourself. Try visual stimulation, like playing video games or watching television or a movie. Laying in the dark with your eyes closed might make the spins worse. Go to bed. Most experts agree that time is the only effective tool in combating the effects of alcohol. Sleep gives your body the chance to heal and gives the liver a chance to filter the alcohol out of your body.
Tips
- If you're inducing vomiting at a place other than your own home, be mindful of your surroundings and try not to leave a giant mess for some unlucky person to clean up.
- Go on the offensive. Pace yourself as the evening begins, and you're less likely to have to deal with spinning rooms and hangovers later. A good trick is alternating each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water. This also keeps the body hydrated.