When the weekend is over, the fear of Monday for many is not going back to work, but going back to work with a hangover.
While we do not encourage heavy drinking, we do understand that hangovers make up some of the most memorable drinking experiences.
Funny enough, we don’t get hangovers when the alcohol is still in our system. Rather the headache, fatigue, thirst, dizziness, nausea and a loss of appetite begin to manifest once the alcohol has disappeared from our bodies.
The way Uncle Happy Juice would experience a hangover would be different from the way Mr Sip-None-Stop would be knocked down. However, the underlining fact is that hangovers are never a pleasant experience.
Interestingly, there are several ‘cures for a hangover’ but the best cure is prevention.
Here are some sure ways to enjoy your alcohol without any fear of a hangover.
Drink in moderation
The severity of a hangover depends on the volume of alcohol consumed. This means that the lesser the volume of alcohol, the lesser the probability of having a hangover. Not only is drinking in moderation a way of avoiding the ‘morning-after sickness’, it is also a healthy way to consume alcohol as even the drink companies warn that we should all drink responsibly.
Basically, all you have to do is know how many shots of tequila will get you that regret feeling in the morning, and ensure never to g beyond that. Statistically, only about 23% of people do not appear to get hangovers, no matter how much they drink. If you are not in that category, then do not exceed the limit of how much alcohol you can consume.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach
It is a rule of thumb to never drink on an empty stomach for several reasons, ranging from slowing down the intoxication level to how severe the hangover will be afterwards.
So it is best that you eat a good meal first, ideally one that’s heavy on the carbs before you hit the bar with your alcoholic friends. Failure to do so condemns you to a brain-frying headache in the morning.
Water, water and more water
Some people take sips of water frequently as they drink alcohol, and this is not out of place one bit. Alcohol is a diuretic, making you pee often which leads to dehydration. Drinking enough water is the only sure way to avoid getting dehydrated, and of course ti reduces some of the effects of hangover like headaches and thirst.
Steer clear off dark liquors
Like they say, ‘keep it clear and your head will stay clear,’ it is better to stick to clearer liquids like vodka and gin in order to reduce the severity of the hangover.
This is not an urban myth, the likes of cognac, whisky, and dark rum contain more congeners and toxic chemicals that have been proven to cause some intense hangovers.
Kick up the classy charm
Go for more expensive spirit drinks as these are much more distilled and less likely to give you a hangover. Whisky like Jameson Irish are triple distilled, and are less likely to bring the rain of headaches in the morning.
These top-shelf booze contain less congeners and those toxic chemicals that spoil the morning after for you.
No bubbles please
Mixing alcohol with carbonated drinks is a capital NO. Champagne is also part of the bubbles, just in case you needed to hear us say it.
Alcohol with bubbles, or mixed with carbonated drinks like Coke speed up the absorption of alcohol in your system, getting you drunk quicker but giving you un hangovers.
A good sleep does some magic
Getting a good sleep reduces some of the severe effects of a hangover as it helps your body recover. Alcohol generally affects sleep quality and duration, while also disrupting your entire sleep schedule if you stay up too late.
However, after a heavy night of drinking, be sure to get a good amount of sleep, which is why it is advisable to avoid drinking if you have work or an important appointment to catch up the next morning.
Take supplements and multivitamins
One of the most remote causes of hangover is the depletion of vitamins in the body due to intake of alcohol. Body nutrients like vitamin B12 and folate get lost during a heavy night of drinking. This can cause a low-grade inflammation.
So try to take some multivitamin to replenish what was lost during the night, or try taking supplements like red ginseng, ginger and prickly pear to bring back some of the multivitamins that have been lost.
