Curing a hangover

With that in mind, here are a few tips direct from Father Christmas to help you the next morning when you’ve gone a bit overboard. A few of these tips have been passed down from generation to generation of Santa’s elves…

The best way to start off a night’s drinking is to have a good meal so that your stomach is well lined to deal with all the booze you will be putting into your system.

Also, try not to mix your drinks. If you’re drinking beer, then stick to beer. Don’t add spirits to the mix and your body will thank you the next day.

The odd ho, ho, ho should keep your spirts up.

Some say the best way to avoid a hangover is to not stop drinking. They say you should just stay drunk all the time so you never have to face up to the hangover that is just waiting to hit you. This is perhaps not the best tip in the world; Santa says – avoid this hangover cure at all costs!

From the doorstep of the North Pole, Santa tells you to avoid darker drinks such as red wine, whisky and brandy, as these kinds of liquor are said to add to that smashing headache the next day.

Most people out there, Santa included, say that the best way to cure a hangover is just to sleep it off. Rehydrating by drinking lots of liquids is also said to help. A glass of orange juice or a strong cup of coffee is said to knock the alcohol right out of you.

The old folk will tell you that lots of water is the answer. A glass of water before every drink and lots of ice-cold water after your alcohol binge is said to go a long way to heal and hydrate the body, and minimise a hangover.

Eating a good breakfast the next day also might help. “A nice hot mutton curry will surely knock the alcohol out of your body; the hotter the better” is some old people’s wisdom. The advice goes on to say that some spicy food takes away the drunkenness, sobering you up before you know it. “You will feel the burn, but the alcohol won’t affect you as badly.”

Some say that drinking the same drink you had the night before helps. This is called ‘hair of the dog’ and will put you back on the same ‘buzz’. However, this is sure to make you feel worse in the long run! You can’t outrun the eventual hangover!

Ultimately, the best way to avoid having a hangover is to not drink at all, but some will say “where’s the fun it that?” If you know you’ll be drinking, have a good meal before you start, try to drink water in between your drinks and afterwards, and if you still have a hangover, just tough it out!

Enjoy your ‘hangover-free’ festive season!