GoodTimes

Eating isn’t cheating!

Food helps slow the absorption of alcohol, stopping it going to your head too quickly. Eat a good meal beforehand, and you're less likely to be the one who gets too drunk, too quickly. You can enjoy your night for longer and remember it for the right reasons.

Carbs or protein such as pasta, potatoes and chicken are good to eat before or while you're drinking. They’ll keep you full, and the slow release of energy will help you last the distance.

You’ll be more tempted to avoid that 2am kebab or chips too. Late night food won’t help sober you up as the alcohol is already in your system and it’s calorific!

Drinking before you go out?

If you are drinking alcohol at home, look out for how much you’re pouring. Pub measures of shots are 25ml, which doesn’t look like much in a glass so you’re likely to serve yourself much more. If you don’t have a measure at home, 25ml is about the same as 5 teaspoons or an egg cup.

If you drink too much, too early, you’re much more likely to miss out. Have some soft drinks as well as alcohol. You don’t want to remember the night for the wrong reasons like being put in a taxi, or even being the reason your mates need to leave early.

Oh no. Battery low?

What's guaranteed to mess up your night, and your mates' as well? Yep, going AWOL because your phone has run out of juice - give your phone a quick charge before you go.

While you're at it, you might want to check you've got all your numbers. That includes your mates, in case you lose someone. And a licensed taxi service, so you won't have trouble getting home. Download the FREE ‘Good Times’ app to make sure your good night stays just that. You can keep track of your mates and make sure you get a cab at the end of the night.

Beware of the beer garden

If it’s a sunny day (so maybe this is that one day of the year?!) you might be enjoying an afternoon drink or two? Here are some things about drinking in the sunshine you might want to ponder on...

Hot weather dehydrates you. So does alcohol. Add them together and your system's going to have a hard time keeping up, especially when starting early can mean drinking for longer. To avoid crashing too soon, make sure you eat something, have plenty of water or soft drinks and grab some space in the shade.

Where do I live again?

Plan your journey while you've got a clear head, and you've got a better chance of making it to bed (your own, that is) without any surprise detours.

If there's a last train, set a reminder on your phone so you don't get sidetracked. Know where the buses stop and whether you need a ticket before you get on. Book a cab to save yourself a long wait, have a licensed cab number ready just in case or the ‘Good Times’ app to book one from your location at the time if you’re not sure what time you’ll be ready to head home.

How did I spend that much?

Ever had that sinking feeling in the morning, when you see the pile of receipts for drinks you don’t remember buying? Avoid having to go through that again by leaving your card at home and only take as much cash as you want to spend.

Make sure you keep some in a separate pocket for getting yourself and your mates home safely. Take cash on its own, when it's gone, head home!