By Hannah Watson

Nursing is a complex subject. Everyday ailments and injuries number into the thousands and patients are stressful to handle. With a little help from online libraries, nurses can find the professional help the need quickly and with little hassle. Here are the best online libraries for nurses and nursing students.

Nursing Libraries

Offering helpful articles and books on topics ranging from patient care to research, online libraries save students and practicing nurses a lot of time. Here are the best online libraries for nursing specific reference material.

  1. Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library: Offering nurses around the world free access to dependable nursing research and information, this site has helpful tutorials and simple abstracts.
  2. National Network of Libraries of Medicine: This government library includes links to a whole host of medical resources for nurses in a range of specialties.
  3. Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses: With free references materials and articles for surgical nurses, this library also includes audio lectures.
  4. Intute: A resources for nursing, midwifery and general health, this UK-based library offers easy access resources for professional use.
  5. Lippincott’s Nursing Center: Resources helping nurses provide patients with better care, this library has the newest peer evaluated articles and reference materials around.
  6. NursingWorld: Nurses are often confronted by extreme stress and complex ethical issues, this library from the American Nurses Association helps with job resources, ethics guidelines and the most up to date research.
  7. The Student Nurse Information Center: Dedicated to providing nursing students with helpful information and links, this online library has research articles, reference texts and specialty journals.
  8. Virtual Nurse: An online library of online nursing libraries, this site offers users hundreds of reference tools for various specialties.
  9. Martindaile’s Nursing Center: Offering medical courses, lectures and textbooks, this library gives nurses helpful reference material for continuing education or general professional use.
  10. Journal of Advanced Nursing: One of the most prestigious academic and research journals for nursing, this library of JAN articles covers current events and research topics relevant to healthcare.
  11. AllNurses: An online community and library for nurses, this site provides nurses with articles covering the latest in news and research.
  12. The Free Library: This free online library includes millions of articles and books on a range of topics but also contains hundreds of helpful resources for nurses.
  13. AEGiS: A library providing AIDS education an reference material, this site is a service provided by the US government.
  14. Vitual Stethoscope: This online library for nurses is provided by a Canadian medical school and focuses on training and education for auscultation or the act of listening to the internal sounds of the body.
  15. WCSU Libraries: A library for nursing students this site includes helpful tutorials and archives for research articles.
  16. SPC Library Online: A database of nursing articles and e-books, this resource also includes links to other helpful online libraries
  17. NurseUniverse.com: This library has tools and tips for students nurses trying to finish their degree or find a job.
  18. Pain Resource Center: Offering articles and guides for patients with chronic pain, this library provides pain assessment tools and information on special conditions.
  19. NurseZone.com: Journals and news effecting nurses, this library has advice, reference sources and video for nurses from every specialty.
  20. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Featuring research from prestigious nursing schools and labs, this library of journal articles from the AACN is a must for any critical care nurse.

Chemistry Libraries

Through drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemistry plays an important role in nurses’ work. These are great chemistry libraries providing quick reference.

  1. Common Compound Library: A quick reference guide to common chemical compounds, this resource is great for students or researchers.
  2. CHEMystery: Easy to read guides and tutorials for chemistry students, this site also offers free access to chemistry textbooks.
  3. Virtual Library Chemistry Section: An online library from the University of Liverpool, the chemistry section of this site provides academic journals and information on chemical companies.
  4. CHEMINFO: Designed by Indiana University to help students and researchers find and use chemistry resources, this library links to sites offering significant education information.
  5. Cheminformatics: A library dedicated to exploring uses for technology as a means for educating people online, this Trinity University online library provides journal articles and text.
  6. Rolf Classen’s Chemistry Index: An online library of more than 650 chemistry journals, this site makes academic research a snap.
  7. Organic Chemistry OnLine: This library of organic chemistry compounds maps complex molecules for students or researchers to use.
  8. Online Resource Guide for the Chemical Sciences: A quality collection of electronic indexes and databases for academic research in chemistry, this library provides online reference tools, search engines and bibliographic resources.
  9. Advancing the Chemical Sciences Library: Information on chemical structures, business or famous scientists, this online chemistry library offers e-books and journal articles.

Biology Libraries

Biology coursework is at the backbone of nursing studies. These online libraries have useful articles and texts relating to the study of life.

  1. BioMed Central: Open access articles published from biology journals across a range of specializations, this library makes complicated research and lab work much easier.
  2. PLoS Biology: This peer-reviewed open-access journal is published by the Public Library of Science and includes quality articles for continuing education or research.
  3. The WWW Virtual Library: Biosciences: The biosciences section from one of the web’s largest online libraries, this resources includes specialties such as botany, biotechnology and genetics.
  4. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin: Charles Darwin changed science forever with his theory of evolution. While numerous detractors still argue the veracity of Darwin’s claim, his work has become widely accepted among mainstream academics. This site provides all of Darwin’s works free of charge.
  5. Biology Digital Library: This library of biology texts includes a database for articles, images and peer reviewed journals.
  6. Action Bioscience: Providing articles discussing biological and environmental issues, the work in this online library is peer-reviewed to ensure the highest quality.
  7. The FASEB Journal: This journal is produced by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology and is a bible for any researcher in the medical or biology fields.
  8. AbhayJere.com: An Indian resource, this comprehensive library of biology texts and articles includes a database for ease searches and links to scholarship opportunities.
  9. BioChemWeb.org: Guides, resources and tutorials for biochemistry students, this library offers help for all skill levels.
  10. Nature: One of the most prestigious journals covering the biological and natural worlds, Nature offers a number of its articles for free or an a trial basis.
  11. Lund University Biology Library: This resource links users to free biology and natural science textbooks

General Medical Libraries

By definition, medicine is the science and practice of curing ailments and disease. Here are the best medical libraries for nurses and nursing students.

  1. GoPubMed: A comprehensive, all-in-one database, search engine and library of medical data and information, GoPubMed is one of the Internet’s best and least known health sites for professionals or regular people.
  2. healthfinder.gov: A government library on healthy living, this resource has information on over 1600 health topics from trusted sources.
  3. Medline: Health and medical tutorials written in simple language, this library has quick reference guides to a range of medical procedures, diagnostic tests and specific conditions.
  4. OBGYN.net: A library for health professionals specializing in obstetricians and gynecologists, this site is maintained by over 500 editors with medical training.
  5. Mayo Clinic: One of the world’s most renowned medical facilities, the Mayo Clinic gives medical professionals and amateurs a host of articles, resources and tools for a variety of health related queries.
  6. GeneralPediatrics.com: Textbooks, journal articles and summaries of case studies, this library for pediatric specialists includes social networking features.
  7. Naitonal Library of Medicine: A medical library from the National Institutes of Health, this site includes resources for research and health news.
  8. PubMed Central: A free digital archive of journal articles covering health and life sciences disciplines, this library contains hundreds of journals from elite scientists, researchers and academics.
  9. eMedicine: Thousands of articles from physician contributors, this medical reference site covers medical specialties, surgeries and procedures.
  10. UAMS Library: An open access medical library for people seeking health information, this site from the University of Arkansas offers electronic books and journals.
  11. Merck & Co.: One of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, Merck is also one of the largest distributors of health information. This library of Merck manuals offers a number of useful medical reference tools, some of which can even be downloaded to PDAs and SmartPhone.
  12. PersonalMD: A comprehensive database of pharmaceutical drugs and medications, this site claims to have information on over 98.5 percent of all retail prescriptions, including generics.
  13. AccessMedicine: Online medical information updated regularly by the world’s leading experts, this resource includes premium and free data.
  14. MLAnet: The site for the Medical Library Association, this site includes medical journals and eBooks.
  15. Lakeridge Health Network: Free online medical journals and books giving users easy access to data, this library gives patients and professionals quality content.
  16. PDR.net: The Physicians’ Desk Reference site monitors FDA trials, offers eBooks and even offers diagnostic tools for healthcare professionals.
  17. MEI: Michigan Ear Institute provides an online library containing extensive information about ear structure, treatment and related subjects. Written by specialists at MEI, this library also has video.
  18. Clinical Neurophysiology on the Internet: A library specific to clinical neurophysiology, this resource includes diagnostic tools, technique guides and articles about new research.
  19. MedLibrary.org: A complete online library, MedLibrary.org is one of the best health resources around. This site includes updates on clinical trials, a Wiki supplement for medication info, and a host of other helpful tools and text.
  20. RxList: A drug index made simple, and easy to use by the Internet, RxList is constantly updating to include more prescriptions. The site includes a number of interesting features such as a list of the most popular drugs by search and prescriptions dispensed.
  21. FreeBooks4Doctors: Offering free electronic versions of textbooks used by top med schools, this site strives to provide unrestricted access to scientific knowledge and information.
  22. Virtual Hospital: An online library of health and medical information offered by the University of Iowa, this site includes a vast collection of articles on a range of topics from anesthesia to urology.

Anatomy Libraries

The human body is mind numbing in its intricacy. With hundreds of thousands of organs, bones, muscles and various other parts, human anatomy is mind numbing in its intricacy. Here are the best online anatomy libraries.

  1. Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body: This searchable, electronic version of the classic anatomy text includes over 13,000 entries and over 1200 drawings.
  2. A.D.A.M.: One of the most useful anatomy educators available online, this library and web tool is available in premium forms or for free on certain sites.
  3. MedicalStudent.com: A digital library of authoritative medical information for medical and nursing students.
  4. GFFI Fitness Academy: This fitness library is dedicated to all facets of the human body, including anatomy. Providing diagrams and educational articles on various systems, this site is fun to use.
  5. Anatomy Arcade: Making basic human anatomy come alive (pardon the pun), this anatomy educator teaches using flash games and linking to informative articles about the subject matter.
  6. ARTNATOMY: Focusing on the face, this resource shows wide range of facial muscles and their use in a beautiful interactive presentation.
  7. Anatomy Atlases: An anatomy library full of text books and interactive maps of the human body, this site is great for beginning med or nursing students.
  8. LUMEN Dissector: An anatomy library dedicated to the muscles of the body, this site includes helpful exams and tutorials.
  9. InnerBody.com: An online guide for human anatomy, this library includes links to news articles and impressive interact maps.
  10. The Whole Brain Atlas: An interactive map of the human brain, this anatomy library offers 3d mapping along with a library of information on normal brain functions and specific diseases.

Medical and Nursing Video Libraries

Video libraries provide new possibilities for self-education and at home reference. Here are the best video libraries focusing entirely on medical content.

  1. WebMD Health Videos: An online library of health videos, this resource from WebMD covers a range of topics like healthy tanning techniques and common illnesses.
  2. Stanford Health Video Library: Educational video on subjects from the lymphatic systems to cancer, this library from Stanford University is available on iTunes, WMV, QuickTime, or even DVD.
  3. Free Medical Video Library: Video blogs, or vlogs, from medical professionals and patients, this site offers advice for common issues like arthritis and pregnancy.
  4. EverydayHealth.com: Health videos for everyday ailments, injuries and diseases, this site posts videos from doctors and nurses offering tips and advice.
  5. YouTube: The world’s largest video sharing site includes helpful and instructive videos on a number of subjects but health is a popular subject with millions of entries. From surgeries to psychiatry, YouTube is sure to be handy no matter your needs.
  6. University of Maryland Medical Center Video Library: This library of medical videos includes tutorials and lectures for hospital management, general surgery and mental health.
  7. Emery King Video Library: This library is provided by a Detroit area hospital and mainly focuses on brain and cardiovascular information.
  8. CGSP Video Library: A library of scientific movies with the brain as its primary subject, this resource is provided by General Electric, a major manufacturer of hospital equipment.
  9. AORN Video Library: A video library for subjects like surgery and nursing, this site offers premium and free videos.
  10. IME Video Library: This medical library from the University of Wisconsin at Madison includes a large nursing section.

General Online Libraries

Education means access to books from any and all subjects. These online libraries include a wide variety of books from science standards to masterpieces of literature.

  1. NIST Virtual Library: An online library of tech books and journals, this continually updating resource includes an array of subjects like biomedical engineering and cancer research.
  2. National Science Digital Library: Providing access to high quality resources and tools that support the learning of science, technology, engineering and math, this library includes access to textbooks, tutorials and movies.
  3. Digital Book Index: A catalog of electronic books, articles and documents, this library includes tens of thousands of individual works from trusted sources.
  4. HighWire Press: Free online articles on any subject or discipline, this database from Stanford University offers update alerts and easy to use search.
  5. Free e-Books: Millions of users access publics domain works through this library of electronic books featuring science and health texts.
  6. Public Library of Science: A nonprofit organized maintains this library for researchers and physicians containing the best quality medical and scientific literature available.
  7. Library Spot: This resource offers links to libraries in a range of subjects from film and law but also medicine and nursing.
  8. Bartleby.com: One of the most respected online libraries featuring anatomy guides, classic works of literature and reference texts.
  9. The Free Library: Featuring articles and textbooks on any subject like engineering or cooking, this resource contains over five million different works.
  10. Questia: A complete resource for students working on research projects or studying, this library contains over two million articles and 70,000 books.
  11. Encyclopedia.com: Offering 49 different encyclopedias from trusted sources like Oxford and Columbia Universities, this reference site helps students do their work faster.
  12. Read Print: Free online books library for students, teachers or anyone looking for reading material, this site contains classic works in the public domain.
  13. bibliomania: Free online literature of over 2000 classic texts, this site also has tutorials, study guides and research tools.
  14. NHS Evidence: A British mental health library provided by the government’s medical system, this site includes articles featuring the latest research and news.
  15. Scielo: The Scientific Electronic Library Online this resource connects students with free material from scientific journals.
  16. ScienceDirect: A science library for subjects as varied as engineering and medicine, this site also contains audio and video.

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By Hannah Watson

Whether you want to keep in touch with friends and family, network and share stories with other nurses, or get a little help and advice before your next move, the web is a great resource for travel nurses working all over the world. Here are a few great social sites that will make it easy to chat, find information, and prepare for work at home and abroad.

General Nursing

These sites are great places for nurses in all specialties to connect, give and get advice and network.

  1. NurseConnect: This site will make it easy to find friends and former colleagues throughout your nursing career.
  2. NurseLinkUp: Here you’ll find a social network created just for nursing professionals– no matter the specialization.
  3. ANA Nursespace: Keep up with the activities of the ANA through this site.
  4. Nurse’s Cafe: Join this site to talk to other nurses and keep in touch with other friends.
  5. Nurses Lounge: If you join this site you’ll be able to create a profile and find others working in travel nursing.
  6. Nursing Link: Post your own photos and videos, chat in the forum and read great articles on this social site.
  7. All Nurses: This online community for nurses is home to information, blogs, articles, news and more.
  8. Nurse.com: From education to jobs this site provides advice, information and a chance to connect.
  9. NurseZone: This site has sections for just about every kind of nursing, including travel nursing.
  10. International Council of Nurses: Talk with nurses around the world by joining this network.
  11. NursingDiscussions: This site offers a range of discussion topics for nurses.
  12. MyNurseBook: Like Facebook for nurses, this site offers a range of social networking capabilities.
  13. Nurses Forum: Here you can find information and discussion about a range of nursing professions.
  14. Nursing Center: This site offers both professional resources and an online community.
  15. Virtual Nursing: Here you’ll find a great directory that can point you in the direction of many nursing groups and organizations.
  16. The Nursing Organizations Alliance: If you don’t already belong to a nursing organization this site can hook you up with information on how to do it and let you know what kind of groups are out there.
  17. Everyday Nurses: Chat in this forum about what it’s really like being a nurse.
  18. NurseChat: This online discussion board is a free place for nurses to discuss personal and professional topics.
  19. Nurse TV Forum: Join the discussion on this site to talk about everything nursing, including a special section for travel nurses.
  20. Nursing Voices: This site features talk from nurses around the world on everything from technology to being a student.

Travel Nursing

These social sites focus on connecting travel nurses and providing great information.

  1. HealthCare Gypsy: Create a profile on this site to network and share experiences with other travel nurses.
  2. Travel Nursing Blog: Through this site you can not only read great articles but start your own blog as well.
  3. Healthcare Travelbook: This site aims to connect mobile health care professionals all over the US.
  4. Travel Nurse and Therapist Forum: Join this organization to connect with travel nurses and therapists of all kinds.
  5. Highway Hypodermics: You’ll find all the information and advice you need to make the most of your travel nursing career here.
  6. Travel Nursing Headquarters: Share your experiences as a travel nurse with others on this community site.
  7. Ultimate Nurse: This site hosts a forum dedicated to travel nurse discussions.
  8. PAN Travelers: Create an account on this site to read articles and share experiences in the field.
  9. Travel Nursing Central: Here you’ll get all the information you could need and be able to create a public profile and talk with other nurses.
  10. Healthcare Traveler: This online magazine can be a great source of information, advice and more.
  11. Ask Conrad: Ask all your questions about travel nursing on this great answer blog.
  12. Travel Nurse Coach: Learn about this travel nurse’s experiences, get advice and communicate through the blog.

Finding a Job

If you’re on the hunt for a new job in a new city, these sites can help you make connections, share your resume, and find employment.

  1. Medical Mingle: This social site lets medical professionals, including nurses, network with one another and meet their professional goals.
  2. Nurse Jobs: Seek out new opportunities and jobs through this nursing-focused site.
  3. Hospital Jobs Locator: This site lets you search through thousands of jobs and connect with employers all over.
  4. Medzilla: Here you’ll not only find a great collection of job listings but a thriving community of health care job seekers.
  5. StaffNurse: Create a profile on this site to share your resume, search for jobs and network with employers.
  6. HealthCareerWeb: Through this site you can search for jobs and post all kinds of questions and thoughts in the forum.
  7. NursingJobs: Use this site as a portal to a host of nursing job resources and employers.
  8. Nurse Job Shop: Create an account on this site to post your resume and find great jobs in your location and elsewhere.
  9. MedHunters: Check out this site to search for a job, talk to others, post your resume and more.
  10. Nursing Jobs Help: This site can help you find a nursing job that is right for you.
  11. LinkedIn: This social networking site is focused on professional profiles and can be a great place to share your information.
  12. Nurse Recruiter: This job search portal has loads of listings for travel nurses, helpful articles and lots of other nursing resources.
  13. Nurse Options: Go through this service to get help with your job search and find work no matter where you want to work.
  14. Nurse Groups: This site focuses on hooking up nurses with jobs and providing listings of nursing information nationwide.

Travel Nurses in Training

If you’re planning on becoming a travel nurse but are still in nursing school right now, these sites will be a great help to you.

  1. CampusRN2RN: Use this site to create a profile, write in a blog, participate in a forum and connect with other nurses and nursing students.
  2. Nursing Network: Meet mentors and find out what travel nursing is all about through this social site.
  3. The Nursing Site Network: Whether you’re already a nurse or just a student, you can connect with others through this site.
  4. Diagnostic Medical Blog: This site lets you read articles by health care professionals on a wide variety of technologies and resources.
  5. Healthcare 2.0: Here you’ll find resources and a network created just for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
  6. Student Nurses’ Station: Meet loads of other nursing students through this online network.
  7. LVN to RN: Created by nurses and made for nursing students, this site and its blog are a great place to get advice and support.
  8. Toxic Nurse: This social network can put you in touch with other working nurses and nursing students.

Travel

These social sites focus on travel, giving advice about new locations and information directly from locals about where to go and what to do–a great resource when you’re new to a city.

  1. Brave New Traveler: You can participate in the travel community on this site or just read some of the great articles.
  2. TravelPod: Share your experiences traveling or read about those of others on this user-focused site.
  3. Dopplr: Here you can get travel advice from other travelers or find other people who are going to the same destination as you.
  4. Trip Wolf: No matter where you decide to practice nursing in the world you’ll be able to find travel advice from this site.
  5. Trip Say: This site offers personalized travel recommendations created by users just like you.
  6. Driftr: Check out this site to keep track of your travels, share photos with friends, keep a blog and research where you’re going before you get there.
  7. TripIt: This site can help take the worry out of a move, letting your family know where you’ll be and when you should arrive.
  8. TripAdvisor: Get reviews on everything from restaurants to tours with this extremely helpful site.
  9. Traveller’s Point: Through this site you’ll be able to talk with others about destinations worldwide so you’ll know what to expect when you get there.
  10. Globosapiens: Join this travel community to connect with others who love to see the world.

Moving and Settling In

These sites offer you a chance to get information and connect with others when you’re moving and getting used to a new place.

  1. First30Days: This social site is dedicated to helping you through life changes– including moving to a new city.
  2. WhiteFence: Use this service to get in touch with local businesses and find out which is going to be the best deal for your needs.
  3. Yelp: This user-contributed site is an ideal place to find everything from a place to eat to a place to get your dry cleaning done in a new city.
  4. Homes for Healthcare Travelers: This online community can help you find a short or long-term place to live while you’re working as a travel nurse.
  5. Moving Center: Check out this site to get in touch with moving companies, insurers, realtors and more.
  6. Moving.com: From finding a moving company to finding out which neighborhoods are the best, this site offers loads of moving resources.
  7. Homefair.com: Sign into this site to learn all about the important things you need to know when you make a move.
  8. Trip: Use this site to get budget accommodations while you’re moving or find a super cheap rental car. You’ll be able to read reviews so you’ll know what you’re getting into before you get there.
  9. Apartment Ratings: Find out what other people had to say about the apartments you’re considering moving into with this helpful site.
  10. Home Forums: Talk about everything from decorating to how to care for your basil on this home-focused site.

Making New Friends and Keeping Old Ones

Check out these helpful sites to keep in touch with friends and family and find new things to do in your city.

  1. Facebook: Just about everyone these days has a Facebook account which can make it easy to keep in touch with friends and family no matter where you are.
  2. Twitter: Update the people you care about with what you’re doing using this microblogging tool.
  3. Meetup: Whether you’re trying to meet up with people you already know or want to find groups and clubs in your new city, this site makes it easy.
  4. Eventful: Here you’ll find an online community and loads of listings for local events.
  5. Upcoming: This site allows you to find out about local events and manage a contact list of new friends and old.
  6. MySpace: As one of the most popular social networking sites, MySpace offers a chance to keep up with all your friends.
  7. Brazen Careerist: Focused on the Gen Y worker, this site offers career advice and communities for young professionals like yourself.
  8. iMantri: If you want to find a mentor who can guide you in your travel nursing career check out this social site.
  9. Family 2.0: Keep up with all your family members through a portal on this site.
  10. Kincafe: Here you’ll find a platform that makes it easy to connect with everyone you care about.
  11. NetFriendships: If you’re in need of companionship this site can help you connect with others on the web.
  12. Going.com: Find out what is going on in your new city with this site and create a list of friends you can choose to invite to events as well.
  13. NursesReconnected: This social site aims to help nurses get back in touch with others they’ve worked with in the past.

Medical Advocacy

Nurses who want to get more closely involved with patient care and support causes can check out these social sites.

  1. WegoHealth: This site is a home for health activists where medical professionals and patients can connect and help each other.
  2. Cancer Action Network: Join this site to learn what you can do to support the fight against cancer.
  3. Center for Nursing Advocacy: You can participate in this organization’s mission through their site and letter writing campaigns.
  4. Daily Strength: Here you’ll find patient support groups that you can visit to give advice and motivation.
  5. MedHelp: This site can help you monitor your own health or participate in health-focused online communities.
  6. Healia: Talk to others in the communities and blogs located on this health care site.
  7. HopeCube: Here you’ll find a social site with a simple goal of providing encouraging words and hope to those who have serious medical conditions.

Blogging and Journaling

Let your family, friends and the whole Internet know about your personal experiences as a travel nurse through these blogging platforms.

  1. WordPress: This free platform will let you do just about anything you’d like with a blog.
  2. Blogger: Try out this blogging platform to connect you with your loved ones and share your travel experiences.
  3. LiveJournal: If you want o create a blog that’s more like a personal journal, consider this site.
  4. TypePad: Here you’ll find a blogging platform that’s flexible and easy to use.
  5. Moveable Type: If you know a little more about technology and the internet then this blogging site might be right for you.
  6. MedSqod: This site will teach you how to blog and podcast, with a focus on the medical community. You can listen to and read the information on the site and leave your own feedback and comments.

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By Kitty Holman

The dreaded hangover is one medical malady that doesn’t seem to have a surefire remedy. Throughout the ages, over indulgers have created strange concoctions to help combat the terrible morning after a night of drinking. While the medical profession claims there is no real cure for a hangover, it doesn’t mean you should stop seeking relief. Check out the following 100 suggestions to see if you can find your magic elixir for the morning after.

Before You Drink

Be sure to try these tips before heading out for a night of drinking.

  1. Eat. The one thing you must do before a night of drinking is make sure you have food on your stomach. A solid meal with lots of protein and carbs is the best to help prevent a hangover.
  2. Drink plenty of water. Make sure you are hydrated before you go out drinking. Have a few glasses of water before heading out, too.
  3. Prickly pear extract. One study indicates that drinking prickly pear extract
  4. Drink milk. Supposedly milk will coat the lining of your stomach and inhibit the absorption of some of that alcohol you’ll be pouring down.
  5. Olive oil. Do as the Mediterraneans do and dip some bread in olive oil. The fat content from the oil will help prevent a hangover.
  6. Ginseng. Apparently, taking ginseng before drinking can help your body process the alcohol. It will also give you an energy boost that is more beneficial than caffeine or an energy drink.
  7. B6. One study showed that taking vitamin B6 prior to drinking, while drinking, and before going to bed reduced hangovers by approximately 50%.
  8. Miso soup. This Japanese soup is often eaten before going out to help counteract the effects of alcohol.
  9. Peanut butter. In Africa, peanut butter is a common food to help prevent hangovers.
  10. Be happy. One study shows that those who are depressed, angry, or feel guilty about drinking have worse hangovers than those who are happier.
  11. Don’t drink. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning. The best way to skip a hangover is to skip the alcohol. Offer to be the designated driver, and you’ll feel better tomorrow.

While Drinking

These smart suggestions will help minimize the effects of drinking so your next morning goes more smoothly.

  1. Alternate alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks. Alternating drinks ensures you are staying hydrated and slows down the amount of alcohol you are drinking.
  2. Drink one drink per hour. This is the recommended rate of consumption to ensure you don’t drink too fast.
  3. Choose your alcohol carefully. Cheap liquor, darker liquor, and red wine are all known culprits for bad hangovers. If you plan to drink more than one or two, opt for something easier on the body, such as vodka or beer.
  4. Keep count. Know how many drinks you are consuming. If you start to lose count, it’s a good sign you need to slow down or stop drinking altogether.
  5. Skip the carbonation. Carbonated drinks can often lead to worse hangovers, so stick with fruit juice or water mixers or drink beer.
  6. Skip the sugar. Alcohol itself messes with your blood sugar level, so don’t make it worse by mixing sugary drinks with your alcohol.
  7. Stick with beer. When you drink a beer, you know exactly how much liquor is in your drink. With hard alcohol, it all depends on the bartender and can be misleading when you start counting drinks.
  8. Don’t smoke. Or if you have to smoke, don’t smoke too much. Smoking robs your body of oxygen and will lead to a bad hangover.
  9. Remember an old adage. "Beer before liquor, never sicker. Liquor before beer, you’re in the clear." Or better yet, don’t mix your drinks at all.
  10. ML01. If you drink red wine, you may be happy to hear that the genetically-modified yeast ML01 can eliminate the headache associated with red wine drinking.
  11. Bar snacks. Typical bar snacks like nuts and chips are good to snack on while drinking because their high fat content will help absorb the alcohol.

Before Bed

After drinking, give these ideas a try in order to ease any bad effects from drinking.

  1. Don’t take Tylenol. Tylenol and alcohol consumption don’t mix–it can be very bad for your liver. If you are already feeling the beginning of the hangover, take ibuprofen instead, but it’s best to wait until the alcohol is out of your system before taking anything.
  2. Drink water. Be sure you drink several glasses of water before heading to bed to help rehydrate your body.
  3. Snack. Have a high-carb snack after drinking to help absorb all that alcohol. You will wake up feeling better than if you hadn’t snacked.
  4. Take a multi-vitamin. While you sleep, give your body a chance to replenish some of the vitamins and minerals you’ve lost by taking a good multi-vitamin before bed.
  5. Drink OJ. The vitamin C may help your body process the alcohol more quickly.
  6. Bifidus powder. Put a spoonful of bifidus power in a glass of water and drink before bed. Bifidus powder will detoxify acetaldehyde, the byproduct of alcohol that causes hangovers.
  7. Stop drinking at least an hour before bed. This gives your body time to metabolize the last few drinks before going to sleep, during which time your metabolism will slow considerably.

Remedies for the Next Morning

When you have awakened and feel like you’ve been hit by a beer truck, give some of these drinks a try.

  1. Emergence-C. The vitamin C and B-complex vitamins in Emergence-C can replenish your body of what it’s lost during drinking and boost your energy.
  2. Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen. can help stop that pounding headache and any other body aches you may be experiencing from a crazy night out.
  3. Water. Even if you need to take small sips, make sure you are getting water in your body to help rehydrate you after drinking.
  4. Carbonated soda. The sugar in the soda may help your blood sugar level out and the carbonation helps relieve nausea.
  5. Fruit juice. Fruit juice also helps level out your blood sugar and helps hydrate your body.
  6. Skip the caffeine. While a strong cup of coffee may feel like what you need to clear the cobwebs, it will actually help dehydrate you more, which is the opposite of what you need to be doing the morning after heavy drinking.
  7. Sports drink. Many people swear by the electrolytes in sports drinks for helping the body recover from a hangover.
  8. Ginger ale. Ginger has been a cure for stomach ailments for centuries. Give ginger ale a try to help your queasy stomach feel better.
  9. Green tea. In China, green tea is a popular hangover cure.
  10. Ayurvedic hangover cure. This ayurvedic hangover cure is simple, requiring just orange juice, lime juice, and a pinch of cumin.
  11. Hangover Remedies. This video offers a smoothie recipe full of everything you need to help your body get back to normal. You probably want to prepare the day before as it requires lots of ingredients.
  12. Salt solution. A pinch of salt mixed in your water may be easier for your body to handle when you are reeling from the effects of alcohol.
  13. Pedialyte. While this drink is made to rehydrate sick children, there are many reports of Pedialyte helping overindulged adults as well.

Activities for the Next Morning

From more sleep to light activity, these activities may help you start recovering more quickly.

  1. Sleep. Sleep as much as you can as this will help your body recover and heal itself.
  2. Take a shower. Wash off the sweat and any cigarette smoke that may be lingering on your body. Some people say alternating between hot and cold water will help, too.
  3. Get moving. As soon as you can, get yourself up and moving. The physical exercise will help your body metabolize the leftover alcohol and detoxify your body. Don’t overdo it, though as too much sweating can cause more dehydration.
  4. Time. Unfortunately, one of the best cures for a hangover is something you have no control over–time. Give yourself plenty of TLC while waiting out the way you feel and eventually, you will get better.
  5. Sauna. Many in Finland and Russia use the sauna for hangover relief, sweating the toxins out. Just make sure you drink plenty of water as the sauna can dehydrate your already-dehydrated body.
  6. Swimming. The cool water and physical activity are a great way for many to feel almost instant relief.
  7. Sex. Sex releases oxytocin, which reduces pain sensitivity and elevates mood. It just might help the hangover.
  8. Warm bath. Some agree that a warm bath is a relaxing way to help ease out of the hangover hurts. Apparently the thermal baths in Hungary are used for this manner and are even called Hangover Baths.
  9. Massage. Known for releasing toxins, massages may help you recover a little more quickly. This video demonstrates how to give yourself a hangover massage.
  10. Breath pure oxygen. If you have access to pure oxygen (think oxygen bar here, not Grandpa’s tank), try breathing a bit to oxygenate your blood.

Hangover Foods

Getting food on your stomach is important after a night of imbibing. Give these a try to see if they help.

  1. Saltine crackers. If you can barely stomach anything, try nibbling on a cracker or two. The salt and carbs will help start the recovery process and is easy on your stomach.
  2. Chicken soup. The protein in the chicken will provide nutrients for your body and the broth offers more hydration.
  3. Eggs. Eggs contain cysteine, which counteracts acetaldehyde, so scramble some up and put in a tortilla or a piece of toast for some carbs to help absorb that alcohol still sloshing around.
  4. Honey. The potassium in honey will help get your body back on track, so add some to tea or just eat it straight.
  5. Mexican food. The high fat content, protein, carbs, and spice all contribute to make a great hangover cure. Some swear by eating menudo, a stew made from tripe, as a cure.
  6. Cabbage. Cabbage soup or sauerkraut are both supposedly great foods to eat when you’ve imbibed too much.
  7. Pasta. Pasta is easy to make, easy to eat with a tender stomach, and full of carbs that help your blood sugar level out.
  8. Pickled or canned fish. The high mineral content in these foods are supposed to help your body recover, and in Germany, pickled herring is a frequent menu item on the hangover breakfast.
  9. Rice. This carb is easy on the stomach and will help you feel human again.
  10. Fresh fruit. Fruit will help replenish the vitamins you lost and hydrate your body.
  11. Bacon sandwich. The protein in the bacon and the carbs of the bread have shown to help reduce your hangover symptoms.
  12. Banana smoothie. Bananas are full of potassium and are often touted as an excellent hangover cure. Add other fruits and sweeten with honey to make your smoothie even more potent.
  13. Yaka Mein. In New Orleans, this dish can sometimes be found and is reportedly an awesome hangover breakfast.

Hair of the Dog Recipes

Many experts claim that drinking the morning after isn’t good for your body and only slows recovery, but there are still many who claim this is the best recipe for recovery.

  1. Spicy Bloody Mary. The alcohol in the Bloody Mary helps offset the blood sugar imbalance from last night’s overindulgence and the fruit and spice are both excellent ways to combat that hungover feeling. If you don’t want the alcohol, try a virgin variety for some of the same benefits.
  2. Black Velvet. This Irish hangover recipe is a combination of champagne and Guinness.
  3. Tomato juice and beer. Supposedly this is Earnest Hemingway’s hangover cure.
  4. Red Eye. Use this recipe for a hangover cure. Some people add Worcestershire sauce and or Tabasco to it as well.
  5. Suffering Bastard. While there seems to be some debate over whether this started as a hangover cure or not (and even how to make the drink), give a Suffering Bastard a try the next morning.
  6. Corpse Reviver. There are two versions for this drink, which is supposed to be easy to sip first thing in the morning.
  7. Thomas Abercrombie. Alka Seltzer and tequila are at the heart of this hangover cure.
  8. Hair of the Dog. With a name like that, this drink must be made for hangovers. It’s said to be easier than a Bloody Mary to stomach.
  9. Breakfast in a Glass. Perhaps the impaired judgment from last night continues when you choose this cure.
  10. Vodka Slush Puppy. The citrus in this drink is sure to help you feel a bit better.
  11. Mimosa. This drink is light and full of orange juice, a perfect way to start your hangover day.
  12. Irish Coffee. Try a cup of Joe with some Irish whiskey to get your morning started.

Traditional Remedies

These remedies are old standbys from around the world, recent times, and times long past.

  1. Alka Seltzer. Alka Seltzer is an old standby for many who claim this is all they need to feel better the next morning. They even make a version now that is specifically for hangovers.
  2. Bitters and soda. This tried and true will settle your stomach and help you start feeling normal again.
  3. Baking soda and water. A teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water helps many feel better.
  4. Milk thistle. In Dublin, milk thistle is a common herb to use for hangover relief.
  5. Evening primrose oil. Used for centuries as a hangover cure, evening primrose oil can help your liver and stomach.
  6. Vuelva a la vida. This Mexican seafood salad, which means "return to life," is often served to help recover from a hangover.
  7. Jassa. This spicy chicken stew from Senegal requires some advanced preparation, but promises to wipe away the hangover.
  8. Onion soup. The French recommend a thick and hearty bowl of onion soup in the morning.
  9. Middle Ages cure. In the Middle Ages, drinkers would have a breakfast of bitter almonds and dried eel.

Strange Remedies

Who knows if these strange remedies work or not, but they might be worth a try–if you can stomach them.

  1. The bull’s eye. Orange juice and a raw egg…if you can stand this on a queasy stomach, it supposedly knocks out the hangover.
  2. Drink pickle juice. In Poland, this strange hangover cure is standard fare for the morning after.
  3. River sand. An old Irish cure involves burying the hangover sufferer up to the next in moist river sand.
  4. Spirulina. 10 -20 grams of spirulina is the perfect cure, according to this video.
  5. Pickled plums. In Japan, these mouth-puckering plums known as umeboshi are a common hangover cure.
  6. Prairie oyster. This hangover cure promises to help, but it sounds downright awful.
  7. Cumin seeds. The Moroccans chew cumin seeds to help fight off hangover symptoms.
  8. Lemons under the arms. This odd remedy is supposedly used in Puerto Rico prior to drinking.
  9. Poached salt cod. From Keith Floyd’s recipe, poach cod in milk, blend together with garlic and olive oil, and serve on toast.
  10. Voodoo cure. A voodoo cure recommends sticking 13 pins in the bottle from which you drank.
  11. Highland Fling. This Scottish recipe of buttermilk, cornflower, salt, and pepper is supposed to help.
  12. Morning-After Shake. Try this recipe for a strange hangover shake.
  13. Bull’s penis. Sicilian men relied on a breakfast of bull’s penis to quell their hangover symptoms. In Bolivia, they still eat a soup made from bull’s penis for both aphrodisiac qualities as well as hangover help.
  14. Rabbit pellet tea. According to some, one hangover cure in the Old West included drinking tea made from rabbit pellets.

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