It's that time of year again - the much-anticipated party season. At the annual office bash, codes of conduct go out the window and everything from tuneless sing-alongs to regrettable hook-ups in the printer room are acceptable in the name of Yuletide. However, though you may be partying till dawn with your colleagues and new crush from IT (who looks so much better through a glass of mulled wine), the harsh reality is that you'll be expected back at your desk the next morning, ready to face the day.
After a night out on the booze, your body will be begging for reinforcements to get back into gear. And no, we don't recommend a Bloody Mary before heading off to work. Fight the temptation to reach for greasy food as well, and try PruHealth's expert nutritionist, Fiona Hunter's Hangover Recovery Plan instead:
Breakfast
Smoothie – helps restore blood sugar and is gentler on the stomach than fruit juice Slice of wholemeal toast spread with mashed banana – a combination of slow- and fast-release carbs to keep blood sugars stable throughout the morning
Mid-morning
Glass of orange juice, topped up with fizzy water – orange juice will help boost vitamin C levels and the added water will rehydrate the body 2 ginger oatcakes – the ginger will help combat any lingering nausea from the night before!
Lunch
Soup and wholemeal roll – easy to digest Probiotic yoghurt – provides 'friendly bacteria' which helps prevent digestive disorders
Mid-afternoon snack
Glass of orange juice, topped up with fizzy water, and three dates or dried, ready-to-eat apricots
Evening meal
Opt for something quick and easy to prepare, such as stir-fried vegetables with chicken and noodles followed by a large slice of melon
Remember, you don't have to wait until the morning after to think about helping your body. While partying hard, have some water in between drinks and put a bottle next to your bed as well. It's the easiest way to prevent those killer headaches.
Also keep in mind that the guidelines for alcohol are no more than four units per day for men, and three for women, with at least one alcohol-free day each week to rest the liver.
If you're a smoker, or if you've been in a smoky bar for hours, taking vitamin C tablets or drinking a big glass of orange juice before bed can help prevent you getting a heavy 'smoker's head' the day after. It's a fact that if you smoke more than 10 cigarettes, your body loses 36 oranges' worth of vitamin C!
Of course, even the most sensible girl can end up losing herself in the fun and party the night away like there's no tomorrow. Everybody's tried waking up on a work-day morning with a voice like a toad and a head full of nails after one glass/shot/bottle too many. Though it can be tempting to shirk your work duties and snooze the hangover away, beware – the tried and tested 'I've got a cold' excuse is wearing thin at this time of year.
Even if you do manage to drag yourself in to work, you'll want to be in as good shape as you can be. A quarter of companies now measure how many days employees are hungover, a PruHealth poll shows. Better to face up to the facts and sort out your symptoms with some proper food. After all, you want to be ready for the next night out!
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