‘Tis the season to be jolly, which means most of us will be increasing our alcohol intake two fold – oh happy days. Endless parties and an inexhaustible list of excuses to celebrate means we’ll be out and about on the sauce for most of December, which is great news for our social calendar, but also spells an equally busy hangover diary.

So here is our five-step guide to minimising your hangover after a hedonistic night of alcohol induced debauchery.

First and foremost, we’ll get the most effective tip in the book out of the way – don’t drink to excess. It’s almost too obvious to be true, but if you’re having a drink this festive season you should be 18 years of age or more, and therefore effectively ‘an adult’, meaning you’re old enough and wise enough to know better!

Secondly, water. There’s no way past this most basic of advice; if you drink regular amounts of water before, during and after a boozy night, you actually slow and dilute your alcohol intake. Importantly, this means that you’re more likely to keep your clothes on and be able to walk in a straight line when exiting the office party, alongside feeling better in the morning.

Thirdly, don’t drink on an empty stomach. What with all the drink promotions in bars and pubs, gone are the days when your purse demanded a low tolerance. Drinking on an empty stomach means there’s nothing to absorb the alcohol, so it hits your system faster and more intensely. If you want to be vaguely compus mentus past your third drink then a good feed is the key.

Fourth, drinking damages the liver. If you are going to give one of your vital organs a good kicking, make sure you offer it a bit of TLC. The supplement Milk Thistle contains powerful antioxidants that protect the liver from damaging substances such as alcohol, whilst also stimulating the rejuvenation of new liver cells. So, if you’re thinking of downing a few shots of booze, make sure you top up with a shot of Milk Thistle.

Fifth, morning after snack attacks. Drinking lowers your blood sugar level, so whether you think your stomach can take it or not, a good chow down helps alleviate hangover symptoms. A greasy fry up might not be your ideal cure, but bananas, cereal, or egg on toast are all good alternatives that offer a wealth of vitamins and minerals to re-boost your system.

Of course, everyone has their own personal tip, my boyfriend swears by Coco Cola, whilst I prefer a lavender oil face massage whilst soaking in the tub. If you’ve got your own tips and advice, click ’Post a comment’ and help us save ourselves this year!

For more information on responsible drinking: www.drinkaware.co.uk

MyVillage, 04th December