Best ways to beat a hangover.

I've heard many people say "the best way to beat a hangover is not to drink".

Those people are boring.

I've heard other people suggest that the only cure for a hangover is time.

Those people just aren't trying hard enough.

None of the "eat 5 strawberries" or "drink milk with cayenne pepper and cod seamen" ideas work.

If you plan to drink seriously, you have to be proactive. The best way to avoid a hangover is to drink strategically!

1) Avoid drinking anything with too much sugar. Liqueurs, wine, fruity drinks and mixed drinks will not be your friend in the morning (if you plan to drink lots). It may make your drink taste a bit better, but remember sugar is not your friend. If you're going to have drinks with sugar to mask the taste of alcohol, choose something with a strong taste and don't mix too much in. Try half juice, half soda water. Do shots instead of mixed drinks.

2) Water IS your best friend. Water will help you in the morning, but if you drink lots of water the night before, you will be happy you did the next morning. Try drink a few big glasses of water before you go out. Try having a glass of water for every couple units of alcohol. The best way is to mix water with your drinks. I like to mix club soda with spirits, sometimes with a little bit of lemon or lime juice (minimize sugar!)

3) Avoid cheap drinks. This rule is less important, but can still be something to think about. Impurities in the alcohol can make your hangover worse. It also depends what you're drinking. Cheap red wine can be much worse than cheap vodka. Sugar^cheap alcohol leads to serious bad times.

4) Once you've passed the point of being able to follow rules 1 -3, there is less you can do. Sleep is now your best friend. Sleep and water.

Remember (try to remember)! Drink proactively.