The weird and wonderful ways you can cure a Glastonbury hangover

Glastonbury begins in a few days – are you fully prepared? (Picture: Shutterstock)
Festival season is in full swing, with Britain's most famous festival set to kick off later this week.
Glastonbury begins Wednesday, June 25 and wraps up on Sunday, June 29 at Worthy Farm in Somerset.
As thousands prepare to reach the farm and millions of others prepare plans for other festivals, new research has revealed some of the weird post-festival fatigue cures attendees are using.
Remedies range from an old-fashioned fry-up to hair of the dog to other more spiritual solutions.
27% of Millennials and Gen Z said they've tried aromatherapy and essential oils to recover after the music festival.
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Another 21% admitted to trying raw eggs, and 17% swear by crystal healing for a 'quick fix'.
Despite trying some rather unusual tactics, 59% of those surveyed by Just Eat found the methods didn't always succeed.
But what works?
Some festival goers swear by raw eggs (Picture: Getty)
Dr Amos Ogunkoya has helped launch 'Festival Aid Kits' to help Brits recover effectively, delivered to their door.
He explained: 'After festivals, our bodies need a lot of conscious recovery, repair, and TLC.
'It's all about prioritising self-care after days of late nights, too much sun, and non-stop socialising, but many of us struggle to find solutions that actually stick.'
Nearly half of all festival-goers admitted they've never felt worse than the day after their return – and the average festival recovery time is two days.
Just Eat has partnered with Boots and Co-op to create Festival SOS aisles on the app. Items include Dr Amos' elite recovery aid – a tin of baked beans.
Time is truly the only thing to heal a hangover (Picture: Shutterstock)
Festival fiends are starting to realise the benefits too, as 14% of Brits voted baked beans as an absolute staple when returning home.
Whilst the humble store-cupboard staple might not seem like it has healing powers, according to Dr Amos, the high-fibre, plant protein-rich nature of baked beans helps with slow energy release, which is great for combating fatigue, as well as supporting gut health.
Another ingredient? Pickled beetroot. Besides being packed with vitamins and minerals, the fermentation process behind pickling produces probiotics to help boost the immune system and gut health recovery.
Though beetroot itself is healthy, the juice it is pickled in can also reduce fatigue – 18% of Brits admitted to drinking pickle juice for a post-festival fix.
Other hero recovery hacks in the kit include Lemon & Ginger Tea – a secret weapon in combatting feelings of nausea post-festival, DioraHydrate Effervescent Tablets to help replenish lost electrolytes after heat exposure.
Back & Muscle Pain Relief Gel – an essential after trekking around with heavy rucksacks and sleeping on uneven campsite ground, and a Moisture Bomb Revitalising Tissue Mask also help bring a moment of self-care calm after the festival chaos.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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Scottish Sun

an hour ago

• Scottish Sun

How to get rid of hay fever symptoms by eating 5 everyday foods – plus 6 other pollen bomb non-negotiables

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HAY fever season is in full swing. And if you're one of the 10million Brits who suffer from constant sneezing, coughing and red itchy eyes as soon as the blossom starts blooming, you'll probably be at your wit's end right about now. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Hay fever can make our lives miserable, with running noses, itchy eyes and a sore throat Credit: Getty Popping antihistamines might be a helpful way to calm down swollen sinuses, but it's not the only solution. The real key to hay fever could be less about tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops — and more about what's going on in your gut. Nutritionist Stephanie Baker tells Sun Health: 'You may not realise it, but your gut health and immune system are intrinsically linked. 'The majority of our immune system resides in the gut, with gut health significantly affecting how our immune system functions. 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Beans, lentils and pulses are also important, as are whole grains like oats, brown rice, corn, fish and seafood, poultry, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and avocado. 'When building your plate, focus on colour. Variety in colour leads to more micronutrients which is ideal for gut healing,' Stephanie says. 'And if you notice a clear link between a certain food and increased gut symptoms like bloating, remove the suspect ingredient and notice how your gut responds.' Along with showing your gut some TLC, there are some additional must-dos that could help your battle hay fever terror. 1. Pop a quercetin pill 7 Taking a quercetin supplement or increasing your intake of foods high in the antioxidant might help ease symptoms Credit: Getty IF you're looking for a natural route to beat an intense hay fever assault, taking an antioxidant supplement could help to beat long-term stuffiness - but not just any old antioxidant will do. For maximum benefit, try quercetin, which is packed with naturally occurring plant compounds called polyphenols. It is thought to be particularly effective in a 500mg to 1,000mg daily dose. You can couple quercetin with over-the-counter hay fever meds or use it in place of them. 'Quercetin supplementation has been thought to manage the histamine response, which is a main contributor to allergic reactions,' Stephanie says. It can take a few weeks before you start to see results so the earlier you take quercetin the better. Quercetin is also found in onion, asparagus, berries, apples and green tea - so it could be worth increasing your intake of these too! 2. Rinse away the day 7 Washing your clothes, hair and body frequently can remove traces of pollen Credit: Getty IF you commute to work and back, the single best thing you can do when you get home is to fling your clothes in the laundry basket and take a shower. Make sure to wash your hair to remove any traces of pollen that you might have brought home with you. Don't panic - you can skip the cold shower, as warm water is thought to be more effective at loosening allergic particles that can stick to skin. That said, ice cubes can be effective at reducing facial puffiness, especially under the eyes. GUT STUFF Q&A WHAT IS THE GUT AND WHAT DOES IT DO? Farzanah Nasser, gut health nutritionist at Biotiful, says: 'The gut is everything that allows food to travel through your body, starting at the mouth, and includes our gut microbiome, which weighs approximately 1 to 2kg kilos (similar in weight to the brain). 'It also includes accessory organs like the pancreas and liver that help release enzymes to break down and absorb the food that we eat so we can extract the goodness from it.' WHY IS GUT HEALTH IMPORTANT? Farzanah says: 'The gut is important because it can have an impact on every system of our body. It really is a magical system. 'We extract goodness from the foods we eat like vitamins, minerals and amino acids to help with metabolism, hormones, mood and energy. 'The fibre from the food that we cannot break down goes to our gut microbiome, which we utilise as fuel and in return, makes many things for us - including calcium and iron, vitamins, like vitamin B and vitamin K. 'It also produces postbiotics that have an anti-inflammatory impact throughout the body, supporting gut health, mood and skin to name just a few. 'Research is always being published that shows the better we take care of our gut health, the better health outcomes we can expect too.' SIGNS YOUR GUT IS A MESS Farzanah says: 'Signs that your gut is out of whack can include bloating, irregular bathroom habits, burping, and indigestion. 'However, gut issues are not confined to the area - they can be system-wide. 'Low mood, brain fog, inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and hormone imbalances can all also be impacted by gut health too.' DANGERS OF POOR GUT HEALTH Farzanah says: 'Our gut can impact so many systems of the body that supporting it as best we can will have a positive effect on how we feel and function daily. 'Studies have found that supporting the gut has a positive impact on mood and lowering anxiety and stress. 'It can positively impact our hormones, skin and longevity. Up to 70 per cent of our immune system is in the gut, meaning good gut health supports better immunity and reduces inflammation - which is a driver for ageing and chronic disease. 'Supporting our gut also helps us regulate our blood sugar and cholesterol, supporting heart health. 'We would be missing out on many of these benefits if we didn't take care of our gut.' HOW TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH Farzanah says: 'In a world obsessed with supplements and quick fixes, we've lost sight of the simplest, most effective way to support, or 'reset', our gut - through natural foods that have been enjoyed for centuries. 'It's time to go back to basics. Supporting your gut health does not need to be complicated. 'Including more fermented foods for seven to 14 days, alongside 30 different plants, could significantly improve the abundance of healthy bacteria in your gut. 'Plant foods include everything from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, legumes, grains, teas and spices – so there is a lot to choose from. 'Fibre is also crucial - we should all be aiming for 30g a day - as it promotes a healthy microbiome, and helps to keep us fuller for longer and support balanced blood sugar.' She adds: 'Be sure to go outdoors and get some fresh air. Sunlight can influence gut health and help improve your mood and energy levels. 'But also prioritise getting seven to nine hours of sleep, which is important to help maintain gut health, plus a lack of sleep makes us crave more sugar and feel too tired to cook.' 3. Create a barrier 7 Smear a little coconut oil or Vaseline on your lips and around your nostrils to create a barrier Credit: Getty IT might sound obvious, but there are some common sense steps that can dramatically reduce stuffiness and swollen eyes. Firstly, wear a hat to help shield your hair and face, and pop on a pair of wraparound sunglasses as soon as you head out the door. This will help prevent pollen from getting close to your eyes and will deter you from rubbing them. Another quick but effective tip is to smear a little coconut oil or Vaseline on your lips and around your nostrils to create a barrier of entry for pollen. 4. Plan ahead 7 Check the pollen forecasts on the Met Office website Credit: MET Office CHECKING the pollen count is a vital step to keep hay fever in check. The Met Office website displays a real-time five-day forecast for each region of the UK, with an easy-to-understand traffic light system ranging from 'low' to 'very high' so that you can plan ahead. The app is available on iOS and Android devices. 5. Eat 30 plants per week 7 Aim to eat 30 different plants every week Credit: Getty STUDIES show that a diverse diet results in a lower risk of hay fever symptoms. Yet approximately two thirds of all UK adults still don't manage to eat the bare minimum of five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Health experts now recommend aiming for 30 different plant-based foods per week to truly optimise wellbeing. The good news is, this isn't limited to fruit and veg; it also includes herbs, spices, nuts and seeds. 'I suggest including key anti-inflammatory microbiome supporting foods such as garlic, turmeric, and apples to help support the body's immune response,' Stephanie says. 'Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and highly processed foods as they can compromise the microbiome and impact immune health.' 6. Do a spring clean 7 Keeping your house clean can help minimise allergens Credit: Getty A DEEP clean isn't just cathartic; it could also help to ease hay fever symptoms - so don't let those chores build up! Vacuuming behind the sofa, under rugs, and in hard-to-reach corners along with changing your bedding weekly can help to minimise allergens in the house. Keeping the windows and doors closed during peak pollen hours, as well as investing in an air filter, can also help to keep your home pollen-free.

BBC News

3 hours ago

• BBC News

Glastonbury Festival get to experience nature through VR

Festival goers will be able to try virtual reality (VR) nature experiences that researchers say can help with mental health and pain Sam Hughes of the University of Exeter is to exhibit the benefits of nature though VR, art, sound and film at Glastonbury Festival later this director of Exeter Pain Lab said immersing people in nature can reduce the amount of pain they feel and VR made nature accessible to those with mobility Hughes said the festival was "a great way to showcase the ability to use VR to deliver nature and its benefits to people from the comfort of their own homes". 'Nature at home' He said the VR headsets would immerse festival goers in environments including forests, mountains and said: "Pain is inherently a psychological construct."If we can immerse people in nature what we've found is that this can actually reduce the amount of pain people experience."While "real nature is always going to be the gold standard", he added, VR can deliver "some of these beneficial therapeutic effects of nature at home".The immersive experience is part of Brainwaves and Birdsong, a public engagement initiative by a team of scientists, mural artists, music composers and wildlife documentary project is funded through the Chronic Pain Neurotechnology Festival is set to run from 25 to 29 June at Worthy Farm in Somerset.