| You've had a hard week. You can't wait to get | | | | less damaging to your body. |
| together with your friends, toss back some drinks, and | | | | - Don't mix alcoholic drinks. The effects of mixing |
| just unwind. Sounds like a good plan. But in this | | | | alcoholic beverages may often be unpredictable. Plus it |
| imperfect world, even the best of plans can go awry. | | | | increases the toxins your body has to contend with, |
| So as much as is within your control, you want to | | | | which may well lead to a bad hangover. |
| ensure that you achieve your simple plan without any | | | | - Pace yourself. Your body can only handle a limited |
| untoward or disastrous results. And you can. One of | | | | amount of alcohol per hour. So chat, dance, munch, do |
| the ways to do this is by drinking safely. Let me share | | | | other things aside from drinking. |
| some tips with you on how to go about doing this. | | | | We all know how alcohol can make us feel warm and |
| - First, the preparation. Drinking on an empty stomach | | | | fuzzy and trusting and oh-so-relaxed. That's partly |
| is a sure-fire method for getting drunk and getting a | | | | why we drink. Well, you can allow yourself to feel all |
| terrible hangover the next morning. So eat something | | | | that so long as you ingrain some habits into your |
| before you start out for your evening of boozing. Food | | | | drinking pattern. There are some essential dos and |
| will line your stomach and slow down alcohol | | | | don'ts related to this. |
| absorption. Starches such as pasta, bread, and | | | | - NEVER leave your drink unattended. There are too |
| potatoes are a good choice because these take a | | | | many awful stories of drinks being spiked while the |
| longer time to digest. Protein and food high in oil is also | | | | owner was away, leading to horrific consequences. If |
| good. So a pizza would be ideal; a steak, burger or | | | | you happen to leave your drink unattended, get a |
| chicken would also do the trick. Drink some water or | | | | fresh one instead of going back to it. |
| some non-alcoholic beverage too in order to quench | | | | - Be wary of drinks that are offered to you, especially |
| your thirst. That way you don't end up guzzling down | | | | if someone has them already in hand. If you want to |
| your first drink. | | | | accept someone's offer, go with that person to the |
| - Throughout the evening, keep yourself hydrated by | | | | bar and watch the drink being prepared before you. |
| drinking water or juice or soda in between sips of | | | | - In the event that you start to feel woozy, inform a |
| alcohol. This slows down your alcohol intake and | | | | close friend or a staff member of the establishment |
| keeps you from drying out. Alcohol is a great | | | | you're in. If someone you don't know offers to take |
| dehydrator. | | | | you home, do not go with them or at least take a |
| - Set your limit and stick to it. From experience, you | | | | friend with you. |
| should know how much alcohol you can imbibe while | | | | So there you are. Take these precautions and there's |
| still being in control. If this is your first time to indulge, | | | | no reason why you can't have a great time |
| then limit yourself to a couple of drinks at most. There | | | | de-stressing without being in continual fear of |
| are countless tales told woefully by those who had | | | | overdoing it. By taking these tips to heart, you'll ensure |
| that "one too many." | | | | that you're on steady legs and standing way after |
| - If you want to go for the long stretch, choose your | | | | most around you are wobbling around and making |
| drinks. Get familiar with what low-alcohol content drinks | | | | utter fools of themselves. |
| are available. There are many that are quite good and | | | | |