The 87p hangover hack you need to be fresh on January 1st

But one more day of drinking (not that you have to) remains, New Year’s Eve.

Every year, I’ll say I’m going to be sensible and stay in, but alas, it seems I’ve been tempted out yet again by the promise of the best time of the year. It never happens, does it?

If you’re off New Year’s Day, which the majority of us are, it likely means you’ll be waking up with a slightly thick head.

Drinking alcohol dehydrates you faster thanks to its diuretic effects, so it is important to stay hydrated while drinking.

Friendly reminder… New Years Eve is the most overrated night of the year 👍🏻

— Willy Aitch (@WillyAitch) December 30, 2025

Nick Hird, hydration expert at Vidrate , shares his advice on how to stay hydrated when drinking alcohol this Christmas.

Enhance with electrolytes

Nick says: “One way you can help your body rehydrate more effectively when drinking alcohol is to consume an electrolyte sachet alongside it. When you lose fluids from drinking alcohol, you also lose electrolytes so replenishing them helps your body retain water more effectively.

“You can do this by drinking an electrolyte sachet in water before having alcohol to support pre-hydration and help mitigate the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Also, have one before bed after drinking alcohol, or the next morning, to help replenish lost fluids and minerals such as potassium and sodium.

“It is important to opt for low-sugar electrolyte sachets, as drinks with a high sugar content can worsen the dehydration you are suffering from. Choosing ones with added vitamins such as vitamin C and B12 can help support energy and wellbeing throughout the festive season.”

With Vidrate, these cost just 87p per serving.

Alternate your drinks

No, we don’t mean whisky chasers.

Nick explains: “Make sure to use this simple hack to prevent you from becoming dehydrated, known as ‘Zebra Striping’.

“Zebra striping refers to drinking one glass of water, or another non-alcoholic drink, for every alcoholic drink that you consume. This means that whilst the alcohol is having dehydrating effects, the water helps to prevent this from being too severe, helping you to remain hydrated and hopefully feel better the next day too.”

Sip don’t chug!

Nick shares: “If you feel dehydrated after a night out, you likely just want to drink large volumes of water really quickly to help you stop feeling the effect of dehydration. However, drinking large volumes of water in a short amount of time can actually make you feel worse, and in rare occasions, cause nausea or vomiting due to diluted sodium levels.

“Instead, sip on water steadily over time to prevent your sodium levels from diluting and allow your body to rehydrate safely.”

Support your immune system

Nick shares: “We all know that winter is a peak time for colds and flu, and unfortunately, this does not drop off over party season. Staying hydrated helps support your immune system through the festive period. Drinking enough fluids helps maintain kidney function and keeps mucous membranes hydrated, which enhances your natural defences.

“If you’re recovering from a winter bug and want to stay on top of your hydration, try to supplement your water intake with electrolytes, especially ones with added immunity-supporting benefits, to help make staying hydrated easier.”