Drink Safely this Christmas

December is upon us! It’s the festive season; a time to be merry, to enjoy all the indulgences that Christmastime offers, and on the whole have a jolly good time.

Apart from eating too many mince pies and chocolates, there are a few of us who overindulge in liquid refreshment too! It’s far too easy in the days leading up to Christmas and New Year to lose track of the number of units of alcohol we’re consuming, and although many of us vow to ourselves never to drink again after a particularly heavy night, we’ve soon forgotten that promise the next time we’re invited out for cocktails!

Help is at hand. And it’s a simple and common-sense remedy to combat some of the nasty side effects that drinking brings. As alcohol is a diuretic, there is increased risk of dehydration when we drink, as we pass more urine. Drink induced vomiting and sweating will also contribute but if we balance out each alcoholic drink with a glass of water, then the risk of dehydration is reduced, and so is that of a bad hangover!

More than 9 million people in England already drink more that the recommended limit, so at Christmas these limit boundaries are pushed further still, and considering that excessive alcohol consumption is one of the biggest killers in this country after smoking related illness and obesity, it’s a worrying statistic.

So when you’re getting ready for your office Christmas party, or any other big night out over the festive period, just bear a few simple steps in mind:

1. Drink a glass of water before you even start on the alcohol, and then alternate between your chosen tipple and water throughout your evening.
2. Make sure you drink a large glass of water before bed, otherwise dehydration will cause your brain to shrink, ensuring a mammoth hangover the next day.
3. Drink another glass of water as soon as you get up in the morning, and continue throughout the rest of the day; those hangovers can be delayed and catch up with you later if you’re not vigilant!

Make sure you stay safe this Christmas when indulging in the hard stuff. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!