We’ve all been there. You’ve just woken up after a night out or a festival and you feel like death warmed over. The sun is somehow too loud and your feet hurt from all the dancing. No surprise there: you’ve just gone through a fun musical marathon, but a marathon nonetheless, which wears on the body. So how do you recover and get yourself back to a rave-ready state?
Tip #1: Sleep!
This may seem like a no-brainer, but a truly important part of post-rave recovery is sleep. Some will try to ride the wave of staying up all night by chugging an energy drink and going about with their day, but that won’t solve the problem of sheer exhaustion. Even if you’re a weekend warrior and have to get to work in a few hours, be sure to get some shuteye! You can even grab a 20 to 30-minute nap if you only have a short amount of time. If you have trouble sleeping after an event, invest in some earplugs, an eye mask, or even blackout curtains to help you drift off. You can even try taking melatonin, a natural sleep aid that can also help to reset your serotonin levels. Sweet dreams!
Tip #2: Eat!
After a big festival, you might find yourself lethargic after realizing your body is running off of that lone chicken tender you managed to eat between sets. So be sure to fuel your body! While the post-rave junk-food binge is common (and a tradition I’ve partaken in many times), it’s better to try to have a somewhat healthy meal to replenish all those calories you burned cutting shapes. Try combining lean proteins and veggies with a healthy carb to fill you up and soothe your soul. But if junk food is calling your name, go for it! And if you find you can’t stomach a full meal, try having a smoothie filled with superfoods, like spinach and blueberries. Pretty soon you’ll be energized and ready for the next event!
Tip #3: Vitamins!
When your body has been depleted of energy after dancing through back to back sets, it can be hard to get it back to what feels like a relatively normal state. That’s where vitamins come in! Quickly replenishing all those vitamins and antioxidants will get you back into fighting shape faster than you can purchase tickets to your next event. We love Tranzfuse as a pre, during, and post-show supplement to keep you from getting the wook flu! Here are some more supplements every raver should keep in their medicine cabinet:
Multivitamins: You should be taking these already, but a good multivitamin is crucial in bouncing back after a rave. Peruse the shelves of your local drug store or ask your doctor, but try to find one that has all of your daily vitamin and mineral needs, including Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamins A through E.
Vitamin C: A great antioxidant that also doubles as a natural cold remedy, Vitamin C boosts your immune system and gets your energy back up.
5-HTP: Perfect for those post-rave mood swings, 5-HTP is an amino acid found naturally in the body, which uses it to produce serotonin. Consult a doctor before taking 5-HTP as there are very specific times that you should and shouldn’t take this supplement.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA): Another compound found naturally in the body, ALA is a strong antioxidant that can help restore your body back to its regular state.
Make sure you consult a doctor before taking any of the supplements listed above!!!
Tip #4: Find a Buddy!
Okay, so you’ve slept, hydrated, had a good meal and taken all your supplements. But what to do if you’re feeling lonely? Not hard to imagine, especially if you’ve spent the last few days surrounded by friends. My advice is to reach out! Whether it’s the friends you just partied with (who are likely experiencing exactly what you’re going through) or just someone you trust, it’s just as important to take care of your emotional health as it is to take care of your physical health. So pick up the phone, text a friend, and maybe even try to set up a relaxing hangout where you can just veg out.
And there you have it! If you follow these rave recovery tips, you’ll find yourself healthy, rested, and ready to tackle the next rave head-on. So be safe and have fun!
