We all know how to drink, right? Especially during Derby, when we all turn into a combination of marathon imbibers and drinking experts.

But, do we know how to recover? It is the given repercussion of our actions to feel less than stellar the next day. I straw-polled our readers, who enthusiastically gave me great advice on the best hangover cures. I’m not suggesting you get drunk; rather, I’m suggesting that you should read this and refer back to it in case you find you are overserved this weekend.

I’ve listed the answers below in several categories: hydrate, medicate, caffeinate, feed, sweat … and the obvious. Some are old favorites; others were new to me. But people were so passionate about their answers that they have to be worth a try.

HYDRATE

Before Bed:

• Water (obviously)
• Gatorade
• Coconut water

Day After:

• Hair of the dog (aka your choice of cocktail)
• Sprite
• Bloody Mary (most said spicy, and with horseradish)
• Coconut water
• Pedialyte
• Rooibee Red Tea
• Hookup to an IV of fluids (three people said this!)
• Gingerale
• Club Soda and Bitters
• (see Caffeinate below for more suggestions)

MEDICATE

• Ibuprofen (overwhelming winner)
• Alka-Seltzer—drink before going to bed
• Goody’s Headache Powder
• doTerra Digestzen essential oil
• Zantac and Ibuprofen—take before you start drinking
• Dramamine
• Excedrin and Benedryl taken before you go to bed
• Emergen-C
• NUUN Hydration Tabs
• A preventative hangover patch called No Mas Hangovers
• A preventative pill called HPF (Hangover Prevention Formula)

CAFFEINATE

• McDonald’s Diet Coke or regular Coke
• Starbucks venti black iced tea
• Cold can of Diet Coke poured over cubed ice in a Styrofoam cup

FEED

• Potatoes in any fashion: hash browns, French fries, potato casserole
• Big Mac or double cheeseburger of your choice
• Pho
• Toast, plain or with peanut butter
• Eggs of any fashion
• Hardee’s biscuits
• Mexican (SATCO in Nashville, in particular, works magically)
• Sushi
• Editor’s note: Anything you can keep down

 SWEAT

• Hot Yoga
• Long Sweaty Run
• Steamroom

THE OBVIOUS

We had a few of these answers and they are the voice of reason:

• “Not drinking! Never a hangover! It is truly the best cure! I’m sure this isn’t the advice you are looking for, but it is great advice! Just saying.”
• “Not getting drunk. Agh! I know I’m not the only wiseacre who said that.”

MY FAVORITE ANSWERS:

• 12 hours of total darkness and sleep. A little intermittent Diet Coke, as well. (This from college roommate. Some things never change.)
• For a marathon day like a Derby/Steeplechase, you have to alternate each alcohol drink with a glass of water. (And no, a scotch and water doesn’t count.)
• A sweaty run, and it works better if you puke during the run. Demons be gone.
• A cocktail immediately upon arrival at the track.
• If you happen to be in London, you can hit the Hangover Bus for relief.

Cheers to you! And I hope that you do NOT have to use any of these methods.