The holiday season is fast approaching, and soon we will all be indulging in rich food, celebratory drinks, late nights and general festivities. Or, at the very least, stressing out as we try and pull it all together, with family members flying in, groceries to be purchased and parties to be planned. No matter how you cut it, the holiday season is hectic, fun, frequently excessive and often results in our feeling less than hot the next day, week, or month. No wonder New Year resolutions so frequently focus on improving our health! However, you don’t need to stock up on pain killers just yet-with a little knowledge you can fight these ills with natural remedies or avoid them altogether.

Hangovers

Whether you’re toasting your family’s health with several glasses of wine or celebrating the New Year with shots of tequila, at some point you’re going to be the worse for wear due to alcohol. Have you ever wondered why alcohol makes us feel so bad? It’s because it interferes with protein and carb metabolism, mineral and vitamin absorption, energy levels and overall health. And if consumed in prodigious quantities it causes lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and cell destruction in the nervous system, stomach lining, major organs and brain. Ouch. While there’s no cure for hangovers, you can minimize the effects by staying hydrated and eating before drinking. Try to match a glass of water for every drink you imbibe, and stick to clear drinks like vodka or gin. A good idea is to also get as much vitamin B as possible to help your body process the alcohol, and to drink fluids like electrolyte and anti-oxidant loaded beverages such as sport drinks and vegetable juices to combat free radical damage.

Indigestion/Heartburn

This one is so common it affects nearly a fifth of the entire nation. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid and bile flood up into the esophagus, and can be triggered by spicy food, fatty meals and excessive alcohol consumption. Try to avoid acidic food and drinks (orange juice, tomato juice, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages), eat small meals at least 3 hours before going to sleep, and skip anything mint flavored. While everybody is different, drinking decaffeinated teas (chamomile and fennel in particular), noncitrus juices (grape and apple) and drinks rich in pro-biotics (kefir) can be of help. Also, to prevent a strong buildup of acid in your stomach, wash it away with water after dangerous meals!

Headaches

Aunt Flo screaming, the turkey burnt, and everybody complaining that the party is a disaster? Avoid that oncoming headache by not skipping meals, moderating alcoholic intake (and making sure to drink water before going to sleep), trying not to accrue to much jet lag, over-exercising, or being exposed to too much smoke or strong smells. Also, some promising research shows that by making sure you’re getting enough magnesium, riboflavin and fish oil you may prevent the part of your brain that flares up from, well, flaring up. And if the worst comes to the worst and you’ve already got one pounding away? Try a small dose of cherry juice and caffeine to make it better.

Insomnia

Too many Americans are getting less than seven hours of sleep when it’s recommended that we get at least eight. Sleep deprivation can cause anything from moodiness to weight gain, accidents to depression. To ward of insomnia try drinking chamomile, hops or valerian. Studies have shown that sleep latency and sleep quality improve with hops and valerian tea, while melatonin, the hormone that induces sleep, can also be found in tart cherry juice.