Tis the season to be smelly

The older I get, the more debilitating hangovers get. They can be outrageously painful and quite often I become really stupid; I have been known to walk into walls, even run into them.

What’s worse is during Christmas I usually meet up with people I haven’t seen in ages and instead of being witty and attractive: I’m just a big stupid lump who reeks of booze.

This year I’m approaching the season well prepared and covering all bases. Here is my check list of hangover preventatives and cures.

• Milk thistle – this is a great liver cleanser. If you take a couple of tablets before you go out for drinks then your hangover will be reduced. This natural remedy boosts liver function and in turn processes alcohol while you are drinking.
• Vitamin B-complex – this is a must if you want to stave off a hangover; just take a couple of tablets before bed, along with plenty of water.
• The 3am kebab –  I know it’s truly horrible waking-up with a belly full of the previous nights takeaway splurge but food increases metabolism, activates alcohol absorption, and increases the speed with which the body processes alcohol, food is your friend on nights out.
• Sleep – You’ve been bold and haven’t done any of the above so sleep is the best option. Nothing makes the pain go away faster than precious sleep but this luxury is not always available so a power nap will sometimes work wonders.
• Hair of the dog – No time for even a nap? Then you can always down a dirty pint of cider. Be warned however; this option will most likely lead to more pints and the circle of shame begins.
• Your main friend when it come to fighting a hangover is of course – water. For each alcoholic drink; have a glass of water, easier said than done I know. If you forget, then have a pint of water before bed and if you don’t manage this, then in the morning drink water with lemon. The body wants to be slightly more alkalinised than acidic and during Christmas, we become more acidic from eating more meat, complex carbohydrates, sugar, caffeine and of course alcohol. Drinking water with lemon alkalinises the body and will help cleanse your system.
• Drink less.

Do you have any hangover cures? I’d love to know.