How to avoid a hangover this festive season
Whether you’ve already begun to take advantage of party season or you’re still on the lookout for the perfect festive dress ahead of the annual office party, we’re all dreading the morning after.
But with the snow falling, our Christmas trees sitting pretty in the lounge and our to-do lists finally starting to look bearable – it’s no wonder we’re reaching for a mulled wine or two.
And there’s no need to worry about not being able to demolish Christmas dinner, as we’ve rounded up the go-to ways to prevent a hangover the Grinch would approve of.
Look no further for the definitive guide to letting your hair down this festive season:
Don’t head out on an empty stomach
Yes, we apologise in advance for sounding like your mum but the number one rule for dodging a festive hangover is to ensure you eat plenty before hitting your office Christmas party.
Not only will this limit the chances of any potentially embarrassing drunken moments, it will also help slow down the body’s absorption of alcohol. The NHS recommends dining on carbohydrates such as rice or pasta for optimum results. We can’t think of a better excuse to bring the cheese board out early…
Swot up on your units
The NHS warns that men and women should not consume more than 14 units a week. But what does that entail?
According to the website, fourteen units is equivalent to six pints of beer or ten small glasses of low-strength wine. And to make sure you keep on top of your drinking habits this festive season, download an app such as the One You Drinks Tracker.
Drink a glass of water after every cocktail
Dehydration is often the biggest culprit when it comes to a hangover from hell. So to prevent a throbbing head the morning after, drink water or soft drinks between every Bailey’s this Christmas.
FYI, according to the NHS fizzy drinks speed up your body’s absorption of alcohol so steer clear.
Say no to social smoking
Although it may be tempting to bond with fellow colleagues over a cigarette or two at the work Christmas party, a recent study has proven that it can in fact make your hangover worse.
Published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, the experiment revealed that when 113 students documented their alcohol intake and smoking habits for eight weeks, those who smoked experienced more severe hangover symptoms.
Avoid dark-hued drinks
If you’re sensitive to dark-coloured beverages then make sure to stay well clear.
According to the NHS, they contain natural chemicals known as congeners which irritate blood vessels and tissue in the brain which will only make a hangover worse.
Be your own best friend
Junior Doctor and self-confessed hangover expert Emeka Okorocha told the BBC that his go-to tip for preventing a hangover is “to put a chair with two paracetamol and some water on your bed [before you go out]. That way, you won’t forget to take the bad boys before flopping yourself into the bed.”
Stock up on hangover-friendly foods
Sorry but a turkey sandwich just won’t cut it. According to the NHS, bouillon soup is a ‘good source of vitamins and minerals which can top up depleted resources’.
While, Dr Emeka swears by a honey and banana sandwich as it is high in potassium and will give your body the sugar boost it is craving.
So make sure to shop for the appropriate ingredients ahead of your Christmas night out.
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