Anyone remember the movie “Liar, Liar” with Jim Carrey? Particularly the famous scene where he takes himself to the restroom and beats himself up, and when asked what he is doing, he answers and says, “I’m kicking my a _ _” As funny as it sounds, it reminds me of all the times I rang in the New Year (and many other occasions) by drinking way too much! With all of the horrible symptoms that are associated with over drinking, the hangover is much like that famous Jim Carrey scene. “One of the most common symptoms of a hangover is the excruciating headache, which believe it or not, is a result of dehydration of the brain. “Alcohol acts as a diuretic, so the more you drink, the more water your body will need to dilute the toxin. This water is then expelled from the body in the form of urine. The water needs to come from somewhere, so if you don’t drink water while drinking alcohol, your body will start depriving other organs in your body from water, including your brain. The headaches you experience are a result of dehydration of the brain.” Article: “Symptoms of a Hangover ” by:Drinkfocus.com
Another common symptom of drinking include your body’s inability to get a “Good” nights rest, even though one may be passed out on the couch! Truth is “Symptoms of a Hangover” also says, “When you go to sleep with a high amount of alcohol in your system, your brain is unable to enter the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep. Without the REM stage of sleep, your brain is unable to dream and achieve the relaxation it needs. So while you may end up sleeping the whole night and half the day away, your brain did not get the rest it so desperately needs.”
Oh, and let’s not forget the multiple visits to the porcelain throne! As awful as it sounds it actually helps to get rid of the alcohol in your system. Plus let’s not forget the dizziness, nausea, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea and loss of appetite that come with it as well.
You may be thinking, “OK, so what’s the #1 New Years Hangover Remedy? I’m glad you asked. Don’t drink! Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up on New Years Day and feel GREAT! Wake-up without the headaches, dizziness, vomiting, loss of much-needed rest and body aches? Or the unbelievable thirst that greets you when you roll out of bed? I made that decision many years ago. “Yea, you’re a Christian that’s why you don’t get drunk” that’s partially true. Yes, I am a Christian and I have chosen by my own will to avoid the above! I had years of it and I finally woke up one day and said, “That’s it, why punish myself and my body for doing something really stupid!” Don’t get me wrong, there are times when I will have an occasional glass of wine, and even then, I almost never finish it. But I choose not to over do it because of the repercussions that come along with it, it’s NOT worth it!
Long after I became a follower of Jesus I saw in the scriptures what I was experiencing:
29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
trying out new drinks.
31 Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
it stings like a viper. (the hangover)
33 You will see hallucinations,
and you will say crazy things.
34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
clinging to a swaying mast.
35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.
I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
so I can look for another drink?” Proverbs 23:32-35
Why not consider making a New Years resolution now…ring in 2014 by treating yourself to things that do not harm your body. You want to be happy, really happy? Take a look at all the blessings in your life. Host a New Years Eve dinner in your home and spend it with family and friends that find life meaningful. Look at what’s important. Make a list of things you’d like to change in your life…Look to God for your support, He loves you and cares about you more than you’ll ever know.
May God richly bless you all this New Year!
