How to avoid a hangover this festive season

Can you cure a hangover? Or would it take a Christmas miracle?

Christmas is a time for celebration, being merry and, of course, drinking — especially if the boss is picking up the bar tab. With a busy social calendar ahead, Seven Sharp reporter Rhiannon McCall spoke to GP Dr John Cameron about how to avoid ugly hangovers.

"It's a stupid answer but the way to avoid a hangover is not to drink so much, or at least space it out over some time."

Most people can process one standard drink per hour. Having another drink in the morning, also known as "the hair of the dog" won't help, and neither will skulling water before you go to bed.

It's a common misconception that hangovers are caused by dehydration. Our hangovers are caused by acetaldehyde, a nasty chemical which takes your liver time to metabolise. That’s why it's important to space out your drinks.

It's not just how we're drinking, it's what we're drinking as well, Cameron says.

"Some forms of alcoholic drinks are more likely to cause headaches, and they seem to be the more coloured spirits and the more coloured alcohol drinks.

"So there are other chemicals in those drinks that the body has to metabolise as well and they can add to the hangover effect."

Even if you do plan on taking it slow, it can be hard to stay the course when friends and colleagues put pressure on you.

Rhys Mathewson is an expert at saying "no". He's an award-winning comedian, and five years sober. He shared some tips on how to navigate the social pressures to drink at Christmas parties.

"Number one, drive everywhere. Because it's so much more normalised to be a sober driver.

"Number two is to bring your own drinks. So often people don't consider non-alcoholic options, so bringing your own means that you don't feel like you're going to miss out and crave a beer."

Mathewson has some advice for hosts as well.

"Have good non-alcoholic options. No one wants juice. 'Oh, we've got apple juice?'... this isn't a brunch."

The good news is that there are more options than ever before with zero percent beers, wine, and RTDs. It's not unusual for Kiwis like Mathewson to take short or long breaks from drinking. But is it worth it?

"I don't miss hangovers. I don't miss feeling anxious. I feel so much more stable. It's a good time."