Surviving the New Years Eve Hangover!

This Christmas I planned in advance not to consume as much alcohol as normal. Not only is it not great for your health but as you know I am on a weight loss journey and alcohol definitely does not help!

So when Get More Drinks asked me if I would like to share their hangover survival tips I knew that a lot of people could probably do with the information. We all know that a hangover is hell but there are ways that you can make it more manageable and speed up the recovery from a heavy night of drinks.

How many times have we said "That's it, I'm never drinking again!"? Probably every time that we have woken up feeling hungover. But we always do drink again. The key is to enjoy your drink but limit yourself. You do not need to go to excessive lengths to keep up with friends and drink as much as you can.

Get More have sent me the following information to share with you to help you avoid or cope with a hangover...

WHAT CAUSES A HANGOVER?

Symptoms of a hangover are normally headaches, dehydration, dizziness, sleepiness and nausea. They’re also often partnered with embarrassment or shame depending on how you behaved the night before! The severity of your hangover is generally linked to how much alcohol you drink and how little sleep you get. Alcohol is broken down in the body to a toxic compound called acetaldehyde that the liver helps to process and remove. Excess amounts of this toxin contribute to the feelings you experience during a hangover. Alcohol also inhibits the anti-diuretic hormone – leading to you becoming more dehydrated more easily - and increases acidity levels in the stomach which can cause discomfort and nausea. Blood sugar levels can fluctuate after drinking, leaving them feeling shaky, tired and drowsy. Headaches can also occur as a result of blood vessel dilation. Poor quality sleep is common after drinking and this can leave you feeling groggy for most of the day after.

HOW TO AVOID A HANGOVER?

Everybody has their own idea of what is the perfect way to cure a hangover, and that might involve a greasy fry-up the next day or something more extreme like The Prairie Oyster, a drink of raw egg, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce made famous by the character Sally Bowles in the film Cabaret. In truth, there is probably very little to help cure a hangover other than cutting out booze altogether, but when that’s not an option you could try one of the tips below to ease the pain a little.

TOP TIPS TO HELP A HANGOVER

1. REHYDRATE

Dehydration can leave you feeling tired, irritable, dizzy and generally not well, especially when partnered with a reduction in electrolytes that may occur after a heavy session. Drink plenty of fluids the next day but try and avoid sugary drinks as this can affect blood sugar levels leaving you feeling even more sluggish. You could try Get More B Vitamins drink for a sugar free way to hydrate and replace lost vitamins. B Vitamins break down your food and convert it into energy, helping you feel more lively.

2. GO LONG. AND SHORT.

Try opting for long drinks made with sparkling water or low calorie mixers as these will help to dilute the alcohol and give you a drink that lasts longer. Go for single shots of spirits or small glasses of wine rather than their larger counterparts.

3. EGGS FOR BREAKFAST RATHER THAN SLUGGISH FRY UP

Some people swear by a good old greasy fry-up after a night on the tiles but it may not be your best choice. Eating anything in the morning is essential to get your blood sugar levels back up but a fat-laden fry up is hard work on sensitive stomachs, and can just leave you feeling sluggish and heavy. Try something lighter like eggs on toast - eggs contain cysteine that helps to breakdown acetaldehyde in the liver.

4. AVOID COFFEE

If you can tolerate it then sure, have a coffee. However, slugging back high caffeine drinks can leave you a bit jittery, especially if you do so on an empty stomach. This can be a disaster if your stomach is feeling particularly sensitive. Try ginger tea for nausea or peppermint and fennel for bloating. 

5. AVOID DARK DRINKS

The darker the drink, the greater amount of congeners it contains. These compounds are a byproduct of the fermentation process and are often added for taste and appearance. Darker coloured spirits and red wine contain a higher amount of congeners than lighter coloured drinks and can make hangovers more intense the next day.

6. DON’T GO OUT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

Classic party trick, especially if you’re going out straight from work. Drinking on an empty stomach means you get drunk much more quickly and can be a complete disaster waiting to happen! Alcohol is also an appetite stimulant so you’re more likely to end up being first in the queue for the buffet or in McDonald’s on the way home, neither of which is great for your waistline. Try eating something nourishing before you go out that has a good source of protein and fat to help keep you feeling full and to soak up some of the booze.

7. TRY AND PREP YOUR LIVER

If you know December is going to be a whirlwind of parties, then try and be good to your liver when you’re not out on the town. Try classic herbal remedies such as milk thistle or artichoke extract that have been traditionally used to support your liver health. Eating healthily at all other times is obviously a good idea too and foods such as dark green leafy vegetables and beetroot have been shown to help with the detoxification process.

8. GET MORE VITAMIN DRINKS

By topping up with the right vitamins, you are not only boosting your immune system but also helping to maintain a healthy body. If you are looking for a healthy and tasty alternative to sugary drinks and need to top up your vitamins and stay hydrated, pick up a bottle of Get More Vitamin Drinks, stocked in over 5,000 shops nationwide.

9. DRINK SENSIBLY

Although office parties are usually a one off, it is important to limit your drinking at all other times and stick to the recommended number of units. For more advice, go to www.drinkaware.co.uk.

You can also read more about Get More in my previous review post.

To help you get in the mood Get More have also shared a lovely cocktail which uses either orange Get More Vitamin C drink. This is how to make it...

Italian Fizz

Ingredients

40mls Campari

5mls Belsazar Red

10mls Lemon Juice

150mls Get More Vitamin C Orange Drink

Method

Shake all of the ingredients together and strain into a high ball glass over ice. Garnish with a slice of orange and a mini candy cane and enjoy!

Enjoy and remember to drink responsibly!

Disclosure: I was sent the hangover guide and a hangover kit for the purpose of this post. No cash payment was received.