Category: wellness

The Journal Prompt You Should Try Tonight, Based on Your Enneagram Type

Published on by Lee3 Comments

The Enneagram test can be an enlightening tool for self-discovery. Knowing your type gives you insight into what motivates, challenges, and fulfills you, well as how you experience life’s ups and downs. If you want to delve a little deeper, pairing journal prompts with your Enneagram type is one of the best ways to process and reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and experiences from the day. By exploring your personality traits through journaling, you can gain a better understanding of yourself and the world around you. Kick off your inner dialogue with one of these journal prompts recommended for each Enneagram type.

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Describe in detail an emotion you felt today.

Type Ones strive for perfection in everything they do and often boast a strong sense of self-discipline. Although this type experiences the same range of messy human emotions as everyone else, they may not freely express their anger, sadness, nervousness, or even joy for fear of judgment. Tap into those feelings with a journal prompt that invites you to describe an emotion with as much detail as possible. What provoked this emotion? What did it physically feel like? How did you react in your words or actions?

How did I take care of myself today?

Empathetic, selfless Twos are all about taking care of others, but they tend to brush off their own needs. Making time for self-care isn’t always high on their to-do lists, so this journal prompt encourages Twos to reflect on moments throughout the day when they prioritized their well-being. It could be as simple as describing a nutritious meal or the feeling after a long, steamy shower. Make a list of the ways you put yourself first today, as a reminder that your nurturing nature should extend inward as well.

What value did I contribute to the world today?

The Achiever’s basic desire is to feel valuable and worthwhile, and they often seek this feeling through personal accomplishments. The challenge for this type is to separate their self-worth from the attention of others and other exterior signs of success. Instead of focusing on specific achievements or tasks on your to-do list, consider the value you brought to other people or your environment today. Perhaps you made someone’s day with a small act of kindness, or maybe you simply tended to your houseplants and contributed to the growth of new life. Practice finding the value in your daily doings, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

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Describe your day using as many sensory details as possible.

Type Fours can be highly emotive and introspective, which means they tend to spend a lot of time in their heads. Rather than ruminating on your feelings, challenge yourself to focus instead on the concrete details of your day. Think through something you did that day in terms of what it looked, smelled, sounded, and physically felt like. Aim to describe things exactly as they are, without exaggerating or minimizing. The goal is to practice being fully present in whatever state you’re in.

How did I step back and unplug today?

With their intense focus and unquenchable curiosity, it’s easy for Type Fives to get preoccupied and distracted from daily life. If you’ve ever gotten lost in a book or fixated on learning a new skill, you know what I’m talking about. For this journal prompt, think about what you did today to unwind and give yourself a mental break. This could entail cooking a favorite meal, chatting with a friend, or simply going for a walk. Jot down both the feelings and physical sensations that came along with this activity.

What is the best thing that happened to me today?

A Type Six is prone to worst-case scenario thinking. Craving safety and security, they have a habit of running through all the “what ifs” in a situation, fixating on problems that haven’t appeared yet. If you feel that anxiety creeping in, flip your fear-based thinking and focus instead on the best thing that happened that day. Did something turn out better than you expected? Did you solve a problem that was stressing you out or find a moment of unexpected joy? Describe the good in each day as a reminder that your anxious thoughts aren’t always your reality.

When did I feel most present and grounded today?

Busy-body Enthusiasts thrive on adventure and excitement, but while they’re flying from one activity to the next, they may forget to pause and enjoy the moment. This journal prompt invites you to slow down and think about how you managed your attention that day. Tune into the times when you felt wholly present and grounded in the current moment. What were you doing? Who were you with? How can you bring that same mentality to your interactions tomorrow?

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How did I practice openness today?

Self-reliant Type Eights prefer to take charge of themselves rather than yield to others. Always wanting to be in control of the situation, they often struggle with vulnerability. Instead of shying away from it, hone on that feeling and consider how you opened yourself up to others today. Did you accept help when you needed it, share something that made you feel vulnerable or simply choose to listen before speaking? Did it make you feel stronger or less so?

How did I show up for myself today?

The Peacemaker’s agreeable nature means they’re more likely to go along with others than stir the pot by standing up for themselves. They tend to tune out their own needs and wants as a way to keep the peace, which can end up creating more problems in the long run. For this journal prompt, turn your focus inward and consider how you participated in the world around you. Did you assert your own opinion, advocate for your needs, and lean in instead of zoning out? If you struggled with this today, how can you do better tomorrow?

Mindy Kaling Has Really Good Wellness Advice–Here’s What She Swears by for a Healthy Life

Published on by Lee3 Comments

You probably know her best as the pop culture-obsessed Kelly Kapoor in The Office or the hopeless romantic Mindy in her eponymous hit show The Mindy Project, but what you might not know is that Mindy Kaling was born Vera Mindy Chokalingam and was the sole female writer for the first season of The Office. And ICYWW what she’s been up to since her days at Dunder Mifflin, she’s been hard at work building a media empire with her very own production company, shows Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls, three books, and co-writing Legally Blonde 3—all while maintaining her infectious smile, raising two kids as a single mom, and keeping up her wellness routine. So, what’s her secret to juggling it all? After getting to know Mindy through countless interviews (seriously, ask us anything about her), we uncovered seven values she lives. Hint: They only further prove the point that she’s the BFF everyone wants to have.

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Work out because it makes you feel good 

If there was one takeaway, we got from reading up on Mindy and her workout regimen, it’s that her MO is focusing on movement that brings her joy. Whether that’s Pilates or PLATE FIT (think: lunges, dips, planks on a vibrating device), she’s a self-proclaimed group fitness junkie who is first in line to try the latest “it” workout. But her tried-and-true forms of exercise? Running on the tread, stretching, and walking. “Surprising the body with lots of different things I think is good, particularly for my body… I’ve been mixing it up and knowing that if a workout doesn’t necessarily make me soak my clothes with sweat, it still was a good workout… It does not have to be punished,” Mindy told People. “The endorphins that I get from working out center me. I’m kind of an anxious person and it makes me feel centered and makes me more focused. And I have some of my best creative ideas when I’m working out.” I think we can all agree on that. 

It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows when it came to Mindy’s relationship with her body and exercise. Because she didn’t fit the mold of what a “healthy” body should look like, she put herself through grueling workouts and hid her enthusiasm for being active. “I used to look at fitness as, like, it’s not successful unless you look a certain way at the end of it, and I’m never going to look a certain way,” she said in an interview with Byrdie. “I used to think there was no point if I wasn’t running for 45 minutes five times a week and then doing an hour of lifting. But the point is that I feel so much better mentally if I’m in better cardiovascular health.” The moral of the story is? Any sort of movement gets a gold star, and the best form of exercise is the one that you find the most fun and will stick with. 

Drink up first thing in the morning 

When it comes to hydration goals, Mindy is queen. In her interview with Byrdie, she said she drinks an “enormous amount of water with lemon” as soon as she gets up. She admittedly does it against her will but keeps up the ritual every morning as a pick-me-up (she doesn’t drink caffeine). And her H2O routine continues with 100 ounces of water throughout the day (if math isn’t your strong suit, like me, that’s equal to 12.5 cups). 

Since coffee and matcha are off the table, Mindy also reaches for a green smoothie, created by celeb nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, in the AM. Mindy’s take on it, or her so-called “cheat version,” calls for lemon, apple, romaine, celery, spinach, banana, frozen pineapples, and coconut water. Mindy told Marie Claire that regardless of what she eats the rest of the day, she knows she got in a healthy dose of fruits and veggies to start her day.

Keep your skin in check

Sure, Mindy has her green concoction partly to thank for the glowing complexion she wears so well, but she also credits her beauty product line-up: Dr. Lara Devgan’s Vitamin C+B+E Ferulic Serum, Joanna Vargas’ Daily Hydrating Cream, and Daily Green Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen.

There’s no denying that we at The BeautyLeeBar dig a good drugstore find, and Mindy is no different. She keeps Cetaphil in her skincare arsenal to cleanse her oily and acne-prone skin (who would have thought?). Chalking her good skin up to not wearing makeup every day, Mindy shared that she feels the most confident with just foundation, strong liner, lots of mascara, and blush. Her favorite part of her whole low-key process? Washing off a day of makeup. “I find it very meditative to take it all off. It feels like self-care,” she told WhoWhatWear. As beauties who take their bra and “face” off as soon as we get home, we feel her. 

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Embrace self-care

Her face-washing habit walks, a solid bubble bath and Selling Sunset are just a few things Mindy calls self-care. “I used to be very conscious of the term self-care because I was worried it seemed self-indulgent,” she says. “But in the last couple of years, I’ve started to embrace it. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, and it’s the simplest things that have such a unique power to elevate your mood,” she elaborated to Real Simple.

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With the little downtime Mindy has, you might also find her in the kitchen whipping up and sharing a meal of coconut curries with vegetables with her loved ones. And the long-time foodie in her will take her me-time in the form of having dinner out with friends any day. But the foundation of self-care for Mindy comes down to a few small and ordinary hacks she let us in on in her interview with Forbes: hitting the hay at 10 p.m., leaving her phone in another room when she goes to bed, preventing the endless scrolling on IG, getting quality shuteye, and taking her probiotic. Because sometimes keeping it simple is best. 

Don’t underestimate manifestation

There’s no denying Mindy works hard to get what she wants, but even A-list celebs like her use manifestation to set goals. Mindy’s go-to practice. Vision boards. At first skeptical of their efficacy, she now considers them “a nice mix of creativity and reflection.” 

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In her one-on-one with Vogue, she explained her experience creating vision boards: “…in the last month of the year, three of the things I had put on there came true—and they were three big ones—and I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, it was that damn vision board.’ I just had to be patient. And I thought that was a really good lesson because when you put up a vision board it’s not like asking Santa for things. So, one of the things I have on the new one is patience, because last time, I took it down. This year, I’m going to try not to do that.” Excuse us while we go gather all of our magazines and make a trip to Office Depot.

In the same vein, Mindy swears by practicing gratitude to put her in the right headspace. On any given morning, you’ll find her sitting cross-legged, saying what she’s thankful for aloud. “There’s something about having to say it that makes it real,” she expressed.

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Practice body acceptance

Mindy doesn’t let not looking a certain way stand in the way of her love of style and getting dressed up. One quick scroll through Mindy’s IG and you’ll see it’s a collage of colorful, lust-worthy dresses and matching sets. Rather than being confined by societal pressures, she embraces self-awareness and body positivity (you go, girl!). “I’ve always steered away from light-colored jeans or white denim because I’ve never felt comfortable wearing light colors on the bottom half of my body, I think a lot of women feel this way. I’ve decided to commit that when it gets to the dead of summer, I’m going to wear white jeans,” she told Forbes. 

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Like most of us, body acceptance hasn’t come easily or naturally for Mindy. She confessed to Shape that she once held herself to restrictive eating habits the weeks before award shows and fashion events but has since bid them adieu. “I love to eat at restaurants, I love to eat home cooking, and I don’t like restricting my diet. And [now] I’m like, as long as I’m getting enough nutrients and feeling like my heart and my lungs are getting exercise, I don’t beat myself up about that.” Mic drop. 

Be unapologetically you

Mindy has made a name for herself as a multi-hyphenate and bringing fictional characters to life on screen. But off-screen, she stays true to herself and makes it a point to bring her most authentic self forward. Case in point: Her snapshots of being a mom and laugh-out-loud memes on IG. In her recent exclusive with People, she articulated how she keeps it real while still striving to grow: “There’s this Maya Angelou quote that’s like, ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.’ So, to me, that’s what I’ve just been doing.”

When Mindy spoke to Byrdie, she recalled feeling repressed and uncomfortable in her skin as a young adult, a far cry from the mindset of the actresses on her two shows Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. “Every day, I am struck by how brave and authentic the young women I’m working with are… They are courageous activists and not ashamed of being that way. They love their bodies, and they’re still quirky.” Taking a cue from Mindy and her counterparts, why not be your unique, beautiful self? There’s no one else like you—flaws, insecurities, and all. When you find yourself lost or lacking self-confidence, remember the piece of advice Mindy’s late mother left her: “Always be your own best friend.” 

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Forget #HotGirlSummer–Here Are Lizzo’s Best Tips for Self-Love Summer

Published on by Lee3 Comments

If there’s one thing, we know to be true, it’s that you cannot feel anything but empowered when listening to Lizzo’s music. A confident queen, Lizzo is known for many talents: singing, songwriting, rapping, dancing, and even playing the flute. To top it off, she exudes self-love (on and off the stage). Needless to say, we think we could all learn a thing or two from her.

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 After scouring the internet for Lizzo’s top tips, we learned that her journey towards self-love and body positivity hasn’t been easy. In an interview with People, Lizzo explained that after being “body negative” for a long time, she needed to find ways to love herself to survive. Lizzo explained that she shows up and chooses to love herself every day. Over the years, her advice and quotes on body positivity, confidence, and self-love have been the subject of many interviews. Here, we have rounded up six of Lizzo’s best tips that will have you feeling good as hell all summer. 

Accept yourself

According to Lizzo’s op-ed with NBC, the first step to self-love is acceptance. “Acceptance is hard. I’m still accepting myself which is a day-by-day thing; I’m still working on it.” Self-acceptance can be a challenge when we are bombarded with images and products, we are told we need to be our best selves or look a certain way. Accepting yourself doesn’t have to be anything extreme. It can simply mean accepting yourself where you are while knowing that there is always room to heal and grow. 

@lizzo

Say Less😏😏😏

♬ I LOVE U BITCH – lizzo
@

♬ –

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Be honest (with yourself and others)

Sometimes the truth hurts. In her op-ed, Lizzo explained that self-love is rooted in honesty. “We have to start being more honest with what we need, what we deserve, and start serving that to ourselves.” If you find yourself putting your own needs on the back burner to fulfill the standards or needs of others, it may be time to take a step back and reflect on what you deserve. Try journaling to tap into your highest self and start putting it into practice. Learning to be honest with yourself not only strengthens your relationship with yourself but also with others.  

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Practice positive self-talk

As Lizzo told People, “Most people are taught that body negativity is normal, right? Then I became body positive, which is the opposite of that. It’s disruptive.” How often do you find yourself making a negative comment about yourself in your head? Probably often, right? According to Lizzo, the narrative around negative self-talk needs to change. Although you don’t have to love your body every day, you can still be kind and grateful for all it does for you. And if you need a little reminder, the opening lyrics of Lizzo’s Juice have got you covered. 

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Don’t say it, ’cause I know I’m cute (ooh, baby)

Follow people who represent you

I remember the days when #fitspo abounds. And although I’ve seen a positive shift on social media, there are countless ways to edit and enhance photos at our fingertips that our insecurities pay the price for. Lizzo credits a shift in her mindset toward body positivity to following people that look like her. Take Lizzo’s lead and quickly check who you’re following. Are they representative of you, do they bring positivity, and do they align with your values? If not, it might be time to hit that unfollow button. 

@lizzo

#duet with @samyra ME N BESTIE WEAR OUR CLOTHES HOW EVER THE F*CK WE WANT 😏 @yitty

♬ GRRRLS – lizzo
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Work out for yourself, not for beauty standards

Like most celebs in the limelight, Lizzo has faced criticism for her body–but she isn’t afraid to clap back. In a TikTok video from 2020 (which now has 17.6 million views, we might add) her voiceover states, “So it may come as a surprise to some that I am not working out to have your ideal body type. I’m working out to have my ideal body type” she said. And you know what type that is? None of your (expletive) business. Because I am beautiful, I am strong”. We love an unapologetic queen. Although we’ve been taught to exercise for aesthetic purposes, exercise has many other benefits, such as reducing the risk of disease, boosting your mood (endorphins make you happy, duh), and improving sleep. Find workouts that you enjoy and think about why you want to work out, whether it is to feel strong and confident or for your long-term health.

@lizzo

I started at 2.5>3.1 then jogged at a 3.6 not everyone’s journey is the same but we all can STRUT LIKE A BADDIE HEAUX😏

♬ lizzo treadmill strut workout – allie bennett
@lizzo

This was raggedy y’all I’m sorry 🥺

♬ About Damn Time – Lizzo
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Re-define beauty

While it is unrealistic to love every part of your body all of the time, you can reframe your thinking. Lizzo told CBS Sunday Morning, “I had to address every layer of insecurity because I can’t just be like, ‘Alright, my arm’s not jiggly and lumpy anymore.’ That’s delusional. You have to be like, ‘That’s not ugly to me anymore and it’s not wrong to me. It’s beautiful to me.’” We all have body parts we’ve picked apart, but it doesn’t mean we have to feel shame moving forward. Reframing how we think about our bodies and focusing on what they do for us rather than how they look brings us one step closer to self-love and acceptance.

A Health Expert’s Guide to the Healthiest Ways to Drink Alcohol

Published on by Lee3 Comments

If there were a cardinal rule in wellness next to “Do what works best for you,” it would be “Everything in moderation.” If you have been following BeautyLeeBar, you know we’re not about restricting any foods or labeling them as “good” or “bad.” And alcohol is no exception. We’re not ones to pass up happy hour or popping champagne, but there is one caveat (sorry to be the bearer of bad news): You can have too much of a good thing. Having too many margaritas poolside or mimosas at brunch can leave you with more than just a bad hangover—your long-term health can pay the price. But wait, there’s good news: we tapped into the expertise of health pros to get their healthy ways to drink alcohol, so we can imbibe sans guilt.  

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What is considered drinking in moderation?

Finding a happy medium is not as hard as you may think. Jordan Dorn, a holistic nutritionist and cofounder of Zuma Nutrition, broke it down: “Keep track of how much you are drinking, know your limit, and know when to stop.” Reiterating Dorn’s sentiment, we each have our cut-off number, which varies depending on our biological sex, age, health, and body composition. While doctors typically recommend one drink a day for us ladies, tune in to your body. Is it giving you cues that you’ve had enough after knocking back two cocktails? You know your body best, and a healthy relationship with alcohol looks different for everyone. So instead of limiting or shaming yourself for what you drink, practice a mindfulness-based approach to drinking. The next time you pour yourself a nightcap, try savoring it and the experience. 

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How to drink smarter:

Eat before you sip

Do yourself (and your body) a favor and build a plate of nutritious fare before saying “Cheers!” “Alcohol enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine,” explained Dorn. “If your stomach is empty when you start drinking, the alcohol will enter your bloodstream more quickly. So, by eating before your first drink, and even while you are drinking, you can reduce the amount of alcohol that enters your system.” We know, nothing sounds better than washing down French fries and wings with your drink of choice, but most bar eats are laden with sodium, driving you to drink more. Instead, nourish the body with healthy fats (think: guac or hummus with veggies) while you drink, helping you stay full and satisfied. 

Other good-for-you pairings for your go-to cocktail? “Choose healthy food options such as whole grains, protein, and fiber before consuming alcohol,” suggested Rebecca Reilly, DNP, FNP-C, a family medicine nurse practitioner at Tia. Dr. Lana Butner, a board-certified naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist encouraged noshing on water-rich foods. Think watermelon, pineapple, peaches, citrus fruits, celery, and cucumbers. The best part? Controlling the all-too-familiar hangover the next morning. 

Pace yourself with water 

We will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume drinking a healthy dose of H20 is already part of your daily routine (you’re welcome). So, when you’re enjoying your mojito, keep up your water intake by ensuring a tall glass of it is within reach, and keep ’em coming. “As a diuretic, alcohol causes the body to lose water much quicker than other fluids do,” warned Dr. Butner. “Drink lots of water or eat water-rich foods before, during, and after drinking to prevent dehydration.” It can not hurt to have your Hydro Flask nearby, which can help slow your roll. “To combat dehydration and limit your alcohol intake, start the happy hour with a big glass of water and continue to drink plain or sparkling water between drinks,” agreed Reilly. 

After diving into a drink or two, you may want to stock up on some coconut water to restore lost electrolytes. “Coconut water is great for rehydration after drinking as it has alkalizing properties, meaning it helps bring your body’s pH from acidic to neutral (our body prefers a neutral pH as this is closer to homeostasis, which is what we are constantly striving for),” said Dr. Butner. If that means getting ahead of the dreaded morning after, we are all for it. 

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Opt for healthier drinks 

PSA: Not all alcohol is created equal. There are not-so-great-for-you bevies, and then there are the notoriously mixed drinks high in sugar that might make you feel worse than alcohol alone (looking at you, Piña Colada). But don’t worry, our experts have dished out a few drinks with their stamp of approval. “Choose mixers that aren’t high in sugar, such as club soda or sparkling water,” Reilly recommended. “Red or white wine is another good option because wine has the health benefit of antioxidants and takes longer to drink.” To top it off, Reilly green-lit some ingredients for a healthy libation: fresh lime juice, fresh lemon juice, club soda, agave, jalapeno, and ice.

Dorn pointed out that drinking an organic red wine or beer (free of preservatives, added sugars, and pesticides) makes a difference from drinking a sugary cocktail. “When drinking, try to go for the highest quality alcoholic beverages you can get, as they will be less damaging to your health.” Another simple hack to keep in your back pocket: Stick with clear alcohol. “Dark liquor has a higher sugar content and contains byproducts that create impurities once fermentation occurs in the GI tract,” Dr. Butner explained. “With that being said, vodka and tequila are going to be better choices than rum, whiskey, and rye. These clearer alcohols may result in less severe hangover symptoms as well.” Sold.

Switch it up with non-alcoholic drinks 

Don’t knock it before you try it. One quick Google search of “non-alcoholic drink,” and you’ll see that booze-free refreshments are not only all the rage but also diverse and flavorful in their own right. “Mocktails are more popular than ever and provide an opportunity to avoid alcohol while enjoying a healthy, interesting beverage in a social setting,” said Reilly. “Ghia, for example, has created products that do not contain alcohol, caffeine, added sugars, and artificial flavors that can be used to make delicious mocktails.”

Whether you’re in the middle of Dry July or the forever D.D. (designated driver, ICYMI), going dry doesn’t stop at mocktails. From bubbly spirits to non-alcoholic beer and wine, take your pick. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the so-called “functional beverage” category that includes brands infusing their alcohol alternatives with ingredients like adaptogens, amino acids, plants, and CBD. The main takeaway? Saying “Bottoms up!” with booze-less varieties has never tasted better.

 

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Don’t forget supplements 

Strengthening your body with the help of some supplements when drinking is akin to loading up on Vitamin C and zinc when you feel like you’re coming down with something. “Take an activated methylated vitamin-B complex before drinking,” Dr. Butner suggested. “Methylated forms of vitamins are highly preferred as they are more easily absorbed and processed by the body than non-methylated forms. B vitamins are helpful to the liver’s detoxification process, so taking them before drinking can help your body better metabolize alcohol, thereby preventing any dreaded hangover symptoms. Taking B vitamins can also help prevent hang-xiety as B vitamins play a huge role in regulating the nervous system.” In the same vein, Dr. Butner also recommended adding N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, and milk thistle to your supplement line-up before drinking, before bed, and the day after to boost the liver’s function in metabolizing alcohol.

Another go-to to have in your pre-drink’s arsenal? Activated charcoal. “Activated charcoal has shown to help bind toxins in the stomach that have not yet entered the bloodstream and, therefore, can help flush the alcohol out of the system more quickly,” said Dr. Butner. As always, before adding any new supplement to your routine, first, check with your doctor or nutritionist. While there’s no cure-all or magic pill to prevent a hangover, the naturally sourced remedy comes pretty close.