Labor Day Drinking - without the hangover!

Booze is here to stay—it's a fact of life. But the good news is, you don’t have to drown in it to have a good time! Here’s how you can drink like a PLAYER and wake up tomorrow feeling like a champ instead of a chump. These 6 tips will help you enjoy the night without the regret or the hangover.

Make a Plan!

Plan + Prepare: Never underestimate the power of a solid plan. Whether you’re mapping out your entire week or just focusing on the day ahead, having a game plan helps you stay on track. Try this: Every Sunday, I sit down and review my week, pinpointing the days I might drink and the ones I’ll take off (hello, B*FREE days!). Decide before you hit up happy hour or that social event what you’re going to drink and how much. Better yet, when possible, BYOB so you’re in total control. It’s all about the PLAN AND PREPARATION, baby! Be in control of your success.

Start Later

Later Start: This one’s a game-changer for me. I used to be a die-hard Happy Hour fan, but that often led to more drinks than planned. The easy fix? Start later, even if it’s just by an hour. Try this: I used to only work out in the mornings, but now I sometimes schedule an evening workout or yoga session. Not only does it push back that urge to drink, but many times I find I don’t even want a drink afterward—or it’s easier to skip it because of the time.

Alternate

Alternate: Booze, meet water. For every alcoholic drink, follow it up with at least 1 non-alcoholic drink—preferably water. This keeps you hydrated, fills you up, cuts unnecessary calories, and keeps your mind sharp. Plus, holding a drink—any drink—can help satisfy that sensory urge to sip. Try this: Order sparkling water alongside your drink of choice. When the alcohol’s gone, you’ve got something to sip on right away. Bonus tip: Add a lemon or lime for extra flavor. And if you’re feeling competitive, make a game out of it—see how long you can make each drink last, then try to beat that time!

Know Your Why

Your WHY: Why do you want to slow down your drinking? If you don’t know the answer, it’s time to figure it out! Your WHY needs to be something that hits you right in the feels. Reminding yourself of this before and during drinking will help keep you on track. Try this: Write down your WHY and keep it somewhere easy to access—maybe on a sticky note or on your phone. Before you step into a booze-filled environment, take a moment to reflect on your WHY. Trust me, it will carry you through in ways you never imagined.

End Earlier + Eat

End Earlier: Just like starting later helps, setting a time to call it quits is equally crucial. Just be sure NOT to try and play catch up during the shortened window. Try this: Set an alarm on your phone, and when it goes off, you know it’s time to wrap it up for the night. And don’t forget to grab a bite to eat! There's a reason why many places around the world don't serve alcohol without food.

Rest & Repeat

Rest & Repeat: Never underestimate the power of sleep. It’s tough for your body to reach REM sleep when you’ve been drinking (REM is that deep sleep where the magic happens— think dreaming, memory-making, and learning). Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a whole host of health issues, from obesity and Type 2 Diabetes to depression and even cancer. Plus, lack of REM sleep might be a trigger for migraines. What’s better than waking up refreshed and ready to conquer the day? Enjoy those zzz’s!

At the end of the day, it all boils down to YOU. You’ve got the power. You’re in control. You can do this. Keep your PLAYER mentality strong, stick to your plan, and you’ll love the results when you find peace and control through moderation.

You've got this!