If you’ve ever danced your heart out at a rave or music festival, then you know how painful the post-rave can be. Hangovers don’t need to be part of the festival experience, however. Approached correctly, festival recovery can be smooth and pain-free.
This explainer outlines everything partiers need to know to replenish their mind and body and bounce back as fast as possible.
Post rave recovery 101
Dehydration is one of the main reasons for those post-rave blues. Dancing is an intense physical activity, and ravers often go at it full tilt. While diving into the electronic dance music (EDM) and tearing up the dancefloor is an essential part of any music festival or rave, be careful not to overdo it. Hours of dancing can deplete your body and mind, leading to hangover symptoms the next day, like headaches and compromised mental clarity.
That’s also why it’s important to consume plenty of water throughout the festival, especially if you find yourself sweating a lot. Remember that during multi-day music festivals, you’ll want to stay on the dance floor and socialize with your friends, not lie in bed feeling sick. So strap on that water backpack or stick some hydration sticks in your fanny pack.
In addition, be wary of consuming alcohol. This advice might appear counterintuitive, since consuming fluids seems like it would help. However, these beverages encourage your body to flush fluids out of its system, not retain them. For this reason, alcohol can contribute to your becoming depleted of the H2O your body and mind need.
Inadequate hydration is only one part of the problem, however. If someone imbibes too much water without the right amount of electrolytes to compensate, their body can also start experiencing problems. A health condition called “water intoxication” can develop, which has hangover-like symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, irritability, and trouble maintaining mental focus. This risk and others are particularly acute for dancers who consume MDMA, the drug otherwise known as ecstasy.
For these reasons, the EDM community has been turning to innovative new all-in-one supplements designed to promote ravers’ overall well-being.
An essential recovery tool: dietary supplements
Today’s groundbreaking nutritional multivitamins are rich in vitamins and minerals that festival goers need to boost energy production and keep their systems in proper balance. For instance, Rave Doctor’s best-selling formulation includes important antioxidants, amino acids, and other key compounds that fulfill ravers’ needs.
B vitamins are one of the key elements in these formulas. Think of them as spark plugs for your metabolism. Thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), and biotin (B7) help convert food into energy for your cells. Pyridoxine (B6), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12) play roles in brain chemistry, helping to keep your mind sharp and fend off irritability and fatigue.
To stay energized, take a supplement that includes magnesium, which is associated with heightened athletic performance. Another great benefit of this important nutrient is that it promotes high-quality sleep.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is another critical ingredient to look for. This is a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from oxidative stress — in other words, from falling out of balance. It also assists the immune system in multiple ways, assists in the repair of tissues, and may even help you avoid catching a cold. Other important ingredients that strengthen immunity include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc, so look for products that contain these as well.
Some capsules also contain 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), sometimes called griffonia simplicifolia, which triggers serotonin production. This beneficial neurotransmitter assists with mood regulation. Say goodbye to depression and anxiety and hello to good vibes! This substance has been known to interact with others — like alcohol — in negative ways, however, so make sure to use it responsibly.
Nutrition + Breathwork = Festival wellness
While supplements have become rave essentials, ravers have also been increasingly incorporating breathwork for festival self-care. Many participants associate these techniques with superior energy levels and brain function, as well as with achieving peak experiences. Others credit them with promoting higher quality sleep and easing their post-festival recovery.
Wim Hof breathing might be the most famous such method. Yet dancers also use others to revitalize themselves and even go on psychedelic-like trips without the use of drugs. For instance, festivals sometimes offer workshops in holotropic or circular breathing, in which the inhalation is followed by an exhalation without any pause.
Deep breathing, such as slowing your rate of breathing to only five or six breaths per minute, and box breathing — in which inhalations, exhalations, and pauses in between both follow specific timings — can help people recover from overstimulation, ground themselves, and regain their calm.
It’s important to be sober while practicing these techniques, since combining them with alcohol or other substances can lead to unpredictable and potentially harmful results. Substances also interfere with the purpose of these sessions, which is to help people become more present, grounded, and aware.
A good recovery requires preparation
By understanding the health challenges that raves present, participants can make the right choices and have a great experience during the festival itself as well as ensure a smooth recovery.
The time to prepare for the post-rave is during the pre-rave period, however. Now is the time to find the right multivitamins for you and place your order. That way, you’ll be able to take them in the days leading up to the event.
Indeed, many people find these supplements so beneficial that they take them every day. The same is true for breathing exercises and meditation — when done on a daily basis, these practices can enrich your entire life.
Banish the blues
You don’t need to suffer through another post-rave headache or worse. Prioritize your well-being with today’s groundbreaking solutions that keep dancers happy and healthy. With a little preparation, your next rave can be the best of your life!