It’s Deltopia weekend. You’ve been walking around in the hot April sun, trying not to lose your friends and maybe drinking a little bit too much. You wake up the next morning with a realization that perhaps you’re getting old, because that headache that’s bothering you seems more extreme than usual. You know you’ll eventually need to get up and address the mess in your house and your mind, both leftovers from yesterday’s fun. But now, all you can think about is getting something to eat. 

At this point, you will fall into one of two categories: you cannot be bothered to even open a kitchen drawer, so heading out to hunt down a meal is your only hope, or leaving the house seems like an incredible effort, so you’ll have to make do with what you have. 

If you choose the first option, you will likely encounter long lines of other hungover, exhausted partygoers at popular spots like Blenders, I.V. Bagel Cafe, Cajé and Freebirds. As you walk to your preferred eatery, you see sleepy, confused, maybe still dressed-up people wandering the streets of Isla Vista, most of them likely with the same idea as you. Everyone is in a tough spot, but luckily there are some choices out there that will help your body get out of this funk. Blenders in the Grass is the best option if you feel like solid food might not be your best friend or you want something more refreshing. If you’re feeling absolutely famished, Freebirds is your go-to with large burritos that will actually be pretty healthy on top of being filling, compared to your other options. Finally, if you’re just looking for some breakfast comfort food, try the classic bacon, egg and cheese bagel from I.V. Bagel Cafe or Yetz’s Bagels. 

If you decided to stay home, you might have a bit more work cut out for you, but at least you won’t have to wait in hour-long lines! If you’re looking for a savory breakfast meal, avocado toast is always a great option. You can top it with salmon, eggs or tomatoes with balsamic vinegar. If you’re interested in a sweeter option, oatmeal with bananas and your choice of nut butter will offer an excellent comforting, healthy meal that can be split among housemates. A yogurt bowl with fruit, honey and granola is another healthy, refreshing option. 

A yogurt bowl with fresh berries will provide your body with nutrients and energy.

Hopefully, you were able to successfully solve the first issue of food. But now, you must turn your attention to the most important task at hand: hydration. Some consider coffee to be the best remedy for the morning after a night out, but this can actually make things worse! Coffee can be dehydrating, and your body is pretty much the Sahara Desert at this point, so probably not the best idea. Instead, try making a homemade electrolyte drink by mixing lemon juice, honey and a pinch of salt into water. Also, any kind of smoothie will not only offer hydration, but can also supply necessary vitamins. If you’re into coconut water, now would be the time to pull that out as well. Finally, tea is always a great option when you’re looking for something more fulfilling than water but don’t want to put in much effort. 

Whether you’re still recovering from Deltopia or know you’re going to be taking on similar adventures in the future, use this article to help guide your recovery to get back on your feet more quickly and easily. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 14 of the April 10th, 2025 print edition of the Daily Nexus.