There are a number of simple steps you can take before, during, and after the festivities that your morning-after self will thank you for.

1. Eat something

Alcohol is absorbed much more quickly on an empty stomach, so having a proper meal before you start drinking will help slow down the process and allow you to keep partying well into the night.

2. Take a Multivitamin

When you drink, nutrients like B12 and Folate are depleted from the body.  Having a multivitamin can replenish the levels that may be lost from drinking.

3. Keep Track, and Take Your Time

Our bodies absorb alcohol faster than we can metabolize it, so sip slowly,  and pay attention to how many drinks you’re consuming throughout the evening.  It takes the body about one hour to metabolize each drink you have, so keep that in the back of your mind as you go for refills. 

4. Water is Your Friend

This should be a no-brainer.  Alcohol dehydrates your body, which is the main factor that causes hangovers.  Experts recommend drinking one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage you consume.  Or, try alternating your booze with a non-alcoholic drink. 

5. Pass on the Bubbles

According to research, bubbles from champagne or carbonated beverages may cause alcohol to be absorbed more quickly.

6. Light Over Dark, and Expensive Over Cheap Booze

It all comes down to something called congeners, which are chemicals associated with the color, taste, and smell of alcohol.  A higher percentage of congeners has been shown to result in greater hangover effects.  Drinks that are darker in color tend to have more, as well as cheaper alcohol that has not been distilled as many times as their more expensive counterparts.

7. On The Rocks

Having your drinks over ice is a smart way to get a little extra hydration boost.  As the ice melts, it dilutes the alcohol ever so slightly

8. Skip The Smokes

A study from Brown University showed that smoking cigarettes while drinking increased the likelihood of having a severe hangover.

9. Get Some Electrolytes

The body loses more than just water when we are dehydrated, so it’s important to replace them after a night of drinking.  We recommend Pedialyte over Gatorade due to its higher concentration of electrolytes and low sugar.  We also love coconut water and have friends that swear by Emergen-C.

10. Breakfast of Champions

Fruit juice is a good option to jumpstart your blood sugar.  Eggs contain taurine, which has been shown to reverse some of that newly acquired liver damage.  Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants.  Soups made with clear broth go down easy and are another great way to rehydrate.  Refuel your body and you’re well on your way to feeling brand new again.

Bonus Tip:  Know Your Pain Pills

Avoid taking acetaminophen pain relievers like Tylenol, because when taken in conjunction with alcohol, they can cause liver damage.  Instead, take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Ibuprofen or Naproxen to ease your aches and pains after drinking.