Dashing through the snow, in a one horse open sleigh, over the fields we go, laughing all the way …..Ha ha ha ha. It’s the silly season, and I love Christmas..... Everything about it. It is a time to have a drink and yummy festive food (wholesome of course), with friends and family that we haven’t seen in a while, catch up, maybe a few parties at work, clubs or school. BUT….There are a few little handy tips that are extremely valuable for the survival of this season.   
 Everything in moderation I say. If it’s the drink or the food, at this time of year we tend to give ourselves a loose rein, try to be mindful of what we eat rather than just hovering every bit of food and drink in sight.

So let’s start with pre drink time, if you are heading out on the town make sure that you eat a well-balanced meal/snack before you go, as this will stand to you the next day. Lining the stomach with a wholesome snack/meal- especially something that has good fats. Like a nice fish- herring, mackerel, tuna or salmon dinner, avocado or nut butter on whole meal bread. This will slow down the rate of the alcohol absorption.You will not be the one that has to be carried out early in the night..!!! Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and increase the production of stomach acid

When you’re on a night out, remember to have a glass of water in-between the alcohol. Alcohol is a diuretic, it’s no wonder you might feel VERY thirsty the next day. That’s not the only time that water will help, before you hit the pillow have another glass of water. Some science info: alcohol inhibits the secretion of vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone that keeps you from urinating unintentionally. When this enzyme is suppressed, water is sent right to your bladder (along with electrolytes) to be excreted, causing you to urinate more often. With the increased urination this may lead to you becoming slightly dehydrated, this can draw the water from your body and from your brain function; it could leave you fatigued or dizzy.

There is one herb that is designed to help with liver function and that is Milk Thistle, excellent as a detoxing agent. It contains properties called silymarin and silybin; these are antioxidants and help to protect the liver from toxins and the effects of alcohol. It also helps the cells to regenerate. So if you’re going to party a lot over Christmas, this would be perfect for you.  Milk thistle can be bought in health food shops or Chemists. (Always check with your Doctor or Health Care Practitioner before taking any supplements) 
It is a good idea to stick to the one drink all night and not to swap or start drinking shots. That’s when things will go wrong. !! Knowing your limits too, stop when you have your quota and start drinking the water, your body will thank you in the morning and your kids.  

B Vitamins are water soluble and are depleted when we drink too, it’s handy to know and stock up on them beforehand. Especially B6, this may lessen the hangover symptoms.  

So these might help if you have run amuck and you’re feeling under the weather, which I am NOT ENCOURAGING. Exercise, if you can manage a short bout, this will help to sweat out toxins, but remember to drink plenty!  

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