Hangovers are always terrible but they’re especially hard to avoid over the holidays. Here’s how you can control them before they strike.
Holiday plans may change, but two things are almost always certain: copious amounts of drinking and eating. As we get older, our hangovers tend to get stronger, which is why it’s important to make a plan before drinking so you don’t lose an entire day to alcohol-induced nausea and brain fog.
Hangovers are complicated things, occurring when your blood alcohol level drops significantly. While there are no direct ways of preventing a hangover, there are ways of lowering your odds if you pace yourself and hydrate. Here are some tips that can help you drink while lowering your odds of a bad time the next day.
Take your preparation seriously
When trying to avoid a hangover, preparation is key. If you know you’re going out, try to make a plan and have a filling meal before your outing. This will delay your body’s speed at absorbing alcohol (Can You Prevent A Hangover By Eating A Big Meal?).
Drink slowly
Once you’re out, try your best to drink slowly. This is difficult but it’s the most reliable way of staving off a hangover, giving your body enough time to process alcohol. According to health experts, your liver takes up to one hour to digest each drink. An easy way to keep track of how much you’ve consumed is to add a cocktail emoji to your notes app and to keep a clear timeframe.
Have one glass of water per drink
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Drinking water is pivotal when preventing hangovers, hydrating your body when it needs it most. While it’s difficult to limit yourself to having one drink per hour, drinking a glass of water per drink is easier to do. This act alone will slow down your alcohol consumption, filling your system with much-needed fluids.
Steer clear of shots
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Experts recommend sticking to alcoholic drinks with a low ABV percentage (alcohol by volume). These drinks include beers, wine, or mixed drinks, especially if these are sipped leisurely and not chugged. Shots tend to contain higher volumes of alcohol, resulting in worse symptoms of hangovers for a lot of people.
