10 Healthy Hangover Cures

While the party season is now in full swing and the alcohol is flowing, I may not be able to save you the embarrassment of the morning-after your annual Christmas party but I can provide you with some ways to relieve any hangover suffered as a result of a night of over-indulgence; so if you don't want to spend the Holiday season walking around with a headache and an upset stomach among other hangover symptoms, you can simply avoid drinking alcohol but for those of you who find it easier to socialize while being a bit tipsy, here are a few hangover tips:

Healthy Hangover tip no. 1:
Before setting off to a venue where you know drink is going to be available, eat some almonds; wise American Indians advise taking six raw almonds before alcohol intake to help against getting drunk and peanut butter is an African remedy; so have one of these snacks before you go get drunk.

Healthy Hangover tip no. 2:
Be aware that drinking alcohol makes you dehydrated. Alternate the alcoholic drinks you are having with soft drinks, preferably ones with low caffeine content (water is ideal).

Healthy Hangover tip no. 3:
If you drink alcohol, try to stick to clear alcohols, such as white wine, vodka, gin...It is believed that the darker the alcoholic drink, the more likely it is to cause hangovers as it contains more congeners, the substance in alcohol that is thought to cause headaches.

Healthy Hangover tip no. 4:
Drink alcohol slowly; if you are a woman, do not try to keep up with the men. It may not seem fair, but women have a lower tolerance for alcohol than men. If you are in a drink-buying round, you can follow my tip no. 2 and order a soft drink once in a while.

Healthy Hangover tip no. 5:
Eat the food that is available at the party. This piece of advice may seem like a contradiction of any dieting advice that you may be following but so is the drinking of alcohol, so if you are going to indulge in one way (alcohol), you might as well also indulge the other way (food). Eating foods that contain fats, carbohydrates and sugars will slow the absorption of alcohol, so don't say no to that fine piece of chocolate cake!

Healthy Hangover tip no. 6:
Before going to bed, drink at least two large glasses of water. If you do this, chances are that the dehydration process that takes place while you are asleep after drinking too much alcohol will be slowed down and you might wake up without that horrible headache. You can also take a sports drink high in electrolytes that will alleviate the harm done to your kidneys by the over-consumption of alcohol. Other beneficial bedtime drinks are two teaspoons of evening primrose oil, a teaspoon of bifidus powder in a glass of water, or tomato juice (to which you can add the juice of one lemon). If you are hesitating between taking off your make-up or drinking water before going to bed, I recommend opting for the water; you can always go for a facial in January!

Healthy Hangover tip no. 7:
Go for a brisk walk or, if your after-party body is able for this, a jog the morning after the party. Exercise helps your body getting rid of toxins and it also helps blood circulation, which will in turn release oxygen to your brain. Some people swear by taking a cold shower, this may give you the energy you need to go for that walk.

Healthy Hangover tip no. 8:
As soon as you wake up the next morning, start drinking water or energy drinks in order to try and rehydrate your body and eat mild foods, especially if your stomach is about to end up in your toilet bowl; good examples are bananas, rice or toast. Avoid caffeine drinks such as coffee, tea or coke, as these will dehydrate you further.

Healthy Hangover tip no. 9:
If you can, try to avoid taking painkillers. They may be able to relieve your headache but they can cause damage to your kidneys and liver, which have already suffered enough from your excessive drinking of alcohol.

Healthy Hangover tip no. 10:
Believe in moderation. Just because it is Christmas doesn't mean you have to turn into a full-fledged alcoholic. This may avoid you the embarrassment of accidentally snogging your boss and be the talk of the office for all the wrong reasons!

Above all, if you have drink taken, never ever drive. Even if you don't feel drunk, your reactions are slower after drinking alcohol so make transport arrangements with a non-drinking friend or take a taxi. This may not be a hangover cure but it could save your life.