6 Low-Effort Exercises You Can Do While Hungover To Get Rid Of That Hangover

There are some people who work out when hungover. But you're not one of them. Even on a good day, the idea of going to the gym is just… eh, so getting a workout in the day after an indulgent night out has never really been all too high on the to-do list. Until now. You already know being hungover sucks, but did you know even a little bit of physical activity can help? Like, I mean, even just basic movements. As Georgina Berbari, certified yoga instructor, asserts "Getting in some mindful movement helps release toxins, improves circulation, and helps with digestion. Spending time on your mat also releases tension and rejuvenates/oxygenates your body so that instead of popping ibuprofen, you can cure your hangover headache naturally." So if clearing the painful, dehydrated haze from your weekend morning is as simple as a few low-effort exercises, you can definitely see why you should work out while hungover.

Obviously, saying you should and actually doing said exercises are two entirely separate things, but I'm here to show you it's really not that hard. Read on to see what you can do to make yourself feel better when you wake up parched with a pounding headache and pondering your life's choices.

Corpse Pose

You feel like you're dead and are probably lying down already, so corpse pose, or Savasana, is really just an extension of your current state. This exercise will help you relax and can relieve neck pain from a bad night's sleep and/or intense, hair-whipping dance moves.

Lie down with your back on the floor (if you don't have a yoga mat, you can use a blanket) and your arms at your sides. Relax your muscles and breathe deeply. That's it. You're welcome.

Supine Twist

This is another horizontal yoga exercise to help get you back on track to feeling like a human again. To start, lie flat on your back. Pull one knee up to your chest and then across your body with the opposite hand. Then, put your other arm out to the side and turn your head to gaze at the outstretched hand. Repeat on the other side.

This exercise is especially helpful if you need to give some love to your digestive system because your insides hate you. And, believe me, they do. Especially after you and your friends decided that getting Halal cart food at 4 a.m. was the best idea ever.

Bathroom Squats

You're probably drinking lots of water to get through this hangover, which means you're spending lots of time in the bathroom. And, let's get real, you're not actually going out of your way to exercise while hungover because you're you. These squats are an easy way to build a little bit of a workout into your hangover routine, which includes watching Netflix and peeing every 10 minutes.

Each time you take a trip to the bathroom, try squatting instead of sitting on the toilet, like you would in a public restroom. If you're wearing leggings, which you probably are, you can use them as a resistance band around your thighs and do pulses. I know, right?

Brisk Walk

The idea of a brisk walk while hungover probably sounds terrible, but light physical activity may help you feel better. Just lace up your sneakers, put on some sunglasses, and head out into the world. Your destination? The corner store for an egg and cheese sandwich, an essential item in the "Help me, I'm hungover" starter pack, which also includes coconut water and questions like, “What am I doing with my life?”

Legs up on the Wall

This exercise can help with bloating and stomach distress while also relieving that raging headache. To do it, put a pillow a few inches from your headboard or the wall behind your bed. Rest your lower back on the pillow and prop your legs against the wall. Think about how you will never drink that much again. Then remember you said that the last time you were hungover.

Sleep

You know what you need when hungover? Rest! If you're lucky enough to be at home during this one, then go back to bed. If you're not, maybe pretend your sick at work (you kind of are) so you can leave early? No one will ask you what's wrong if you threaten to get them sick.

Welcome to No Sweat: an exhausted girl's guide to squeezing in fitness. This content package is for the woman who wants to find an exercise routine that doesn't feel like a chore. No Sweat isn't changing the shape of your body; it's about feeling stronger, happier, and more energetic. Because working out doesn't mean you have to break a sweat.