Preventing a hangover: 4 things you should do before bed

© Getty Images

Study reveals: This alcohol causes the worst hangovers

Would you like to avoid the headache the next morning? Read here how you can prevent a hangover.

I'll be honest: If I wake up with a hangover, my day is over. Or the next two – depending.

I don't need headaches, nausea and dizziness at all on New Year's morning. If you feel the same, you should read on now. I've put together my ultimate tips on how to prevent a hangover.

Drinks with a low hangover factor

The best way to prevent a hangover is to drink little or no alcohol. In addition to the quantity, the type of drink also plays a role in the hangover.

You probably know it yourself: some drinks give you the worst hangover ever. Even if you haven't had that many drinks.

The culprits are usually the so-called “congeners”, chemical compounds that are particularly common in booze (low-quality alcohol).

Because you can't recognize booze at first glance, you can remember: Dark spirits such as whiskey, brandy or red wine tend to contain more congeners than clear spirits such as vodka or gin.

But of course the following applies: Even alcohol with a low congener content causes a hangover if you drink too much of it.

Prevent hangovers with intermediate water

One water for every drink. This simple rule can help you prevent or at least lessen the hangover.

Alcohol depletes your body of fluids. And this dehydration leads, among other things, to the typical hangover symptoms such as headaches or dizziness after waking up.

After every alcoholic drink, you should have a glass of water. This provides your body with fluids. A good side effect: you also slow down your drinking speed.

It's best to drink one or two large glasses of still water before you go to bed.

No hangover in the morning thanks to electrolytes

Some of my friends also swear by electrolyte powder as a miracle cure when they want to prevent a hangover. But not (just) the morning after, but before going to bed, dissolved in the obligatory glass of still water.

The small powder sachets contain salts, vitamins and sugar - everything the body needs to better cope with the alcohol.

Electrolyte powder is available in the pharmacy or here on Amazon*

Prevent hangovers with hearty food

If you don't want to go without the drinks, then you should have eaten properly beforehand. A full stomach can prevent a hangover. Greasy foods like pizza or chips are perfect as they slow down the absorption of alcohol in the stomach.

By the way:Salty food can also help get rid of a mild hangover the next morning. Here you can read more tips on how to get onecan.

When all anti-hangover tips don't help

No matter how well you ate beforehand, how much water you drink between meals, or whether you pop electrolytes before bed, if you've had too many drinks, you'll wake up with a hangover. Therefore, drink responsibly so that the partying doesn't lead to bad behavior.