New Year's Eve survival guide

A lot of friends, a lot of food, and a lot of booze can be a sure-fire way to have an unforgettable time, but non-stop partying and mindless self-indulgence take a considerable toll on our physical wellbeing and hand-eye coordination, sometimes for days to come. Too much of a good thing can turn bad, but your New Year's Eve party does not have to come at the expense of the impressionable first day back at work.

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE PARTY IN ONE PIECE

While boozing, keep in mind that skipping one round doesn't make you a party pooper. Alternating with a soda or a juice will slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. If missing a round isn't an option, avoid extra ice because you're more likely to chug than sip, and it's totally okay to be generous with the mixer. Experiment with fruit punches and the infamous mocktail. You're not here to impress anybody, but in case you are, the best way is to last the night and not pass out. If you're planning to be on the dance floor for half the night, one word, hydrate! Snack at regular intervals throughout the party instead of binge-eating at the very beginning or drinking on an empty stomach – a sozzled guest is not attractive.

Another way to keep yourself in check is to take on the revered role of designated driver. What better way to stay responsible than to take upon the ultimate burden of responsibility?

At the end of the evening (read: night), rehydrate with a glass of water or milk and head-start the road to recovery. Milk is an anti-diuretic so it'll stop your kidneys at just the right time to give you a good night's rest, as well as make up for all the water you lost.

HOW TO GET THROUGH THE DAY AFTER

There is a high probability that either your boss wrapped up the obligatory family barbecue at 11, was exhausted, hit the sack by 1 am, and is more than ready for the 9 to 5 workday in the morning. Or, he or she is one of those energizer bunny types – party animal by night, highly-functioning team leader by day. Give yourself a pat on the back if you're facing either of these two superheroes after last night. But in our efforts to make it to the first day back, earlier than we'd like, we tend to skip out on some very important morning rituals.

If you're feeling really rough, choose paracetamol and an antacid to settle the nausea and the headaches. Remember, breakfast is good for you so try a quick-fix like scrambled eggs or honey on toast or crackers or oatmeal if you're really pressed for time – and it works better than a shot of caffeine. Possibly unconventional, but an excellent way to get back on your feet is to pop a multivitamin. We often overlook the fact that we lose minerals and vitamins as a result of all that partying.

If you're hungover or over-tired, the easiest way to mask the deeds of the night is to take a cold shower, keep some redness-relief eye-drops handy, brush your teeth like a champ, and put on your Sunday best. If you're feeling overambitious, which is highly recommended in this case, lay out your office wear well in advance (hint: the day before the party) so that you can jump right into them before calling that cab.

Now that eveyrthing is right with your world, check out: Top 5 career boosting tips to be made anytime of the year

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