Summer is the season of fun, sun, and drinks. Whether you are sipping colorful cocktails at the beach or indulging in the local craft beer scene, the chances are that you will be hitting the bottle more often than usual.

However, with the fun also comes the hangover, a dreaded headache that feels like small hammers are pounding against your head.

Hangover headaches are common during the summer season, and if you have to deal with them frequently, you know how they can ruin your day. But there are ways to prevent them from happening, or at least reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Here are ten tips on how to prevent summer hangover headaches:.

1. Drink Plenty of Water

Hydration is key to preventing hangover headaches. Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration, and a low level of water in the body can lead to headaches.

The day before a night of drinking, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. Also, while drinking, have a glass of water or a non-alcoholic drink in between cocktails to keep yourself hydrated and prevent a hangover headache.

2. Eat Before and During Drinking

Eating before drinking can lower the risk of a hangover headache. Food in the stomach can slow down the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Also, during drinking, snacking on salty foods can prevent dehydration and replenish your body with essential electrolytes.

3. Limit Your Alcohol Intake

The amount of alcohol you consume directly correlates to the likelihood of experiencing a hangover headache. If you know you frequently get summer hangovers, consider limiting your alcohol intake.

One drink per hour is a safe bet to keep your hangovers at bay.

4. Choose Your Drinks Wisely

Some drinks can be more potent than others and lead to a worse hangover. Generally, darker drinks like red wine and bourbon have higher levels of congeners, toxic chemicals that can intensify hangover symptoms.

Opt for lighter, clear drinks like vodka, gin, and white wine to prevent a headache.

5. Don’t Mix Your Drinks

Mixing drinks can lead to a more severe hangover headache. Sticking to one type of drink throughout the night can prevent the intensity of the hangover or altogether prevent it.

6. Get Plenty of Sleep

A lack of sleep can lead to dehydration, and dehydration can lead to a hangover headache. Make sure to get plenty of rest before a night out drinking to prevent the headache from happening.

7. Take Your Vitamins

Hangover headaches can be a result of a vitamin deficiency. Drinking alcohol can lead to depletion of essential vitamins like B1, B6, and folic acid.

Consider taking a multivitamin supplement before and after a night of drinking to replenish any vitamins that might have been lost.

8. Avoid Caffeine and Soda

Drinking caffeinated or carbonated drinks while consuming alcohol can worsen dehydration and contribute to a hangover headache. Avoid soda altogether and opt for water or non-caffeinated drinks like juice or sports drinks.

9. Take a Pain Reliever

Sometimes, preventive measures are not enough, and a hangover headache creeps up on you. In that situation, taking a pain reliever like aspirin or ibuprofen can help reduce the headache’s severity.

However, avoid taking painkillers while drinking, as it can damage your liver due to the liver’s increased workload.

10. Give Your Body Time to Recover

The best way to prevent hangover headaches is to give your body time to recover between nights of drinking. Taking a break from drinking can prevent the hangover from happening altogether.

Conclusion

Summer hangover headaches can be debilitating and ruin your day. However, with a little effort and preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a hangover headache.

By staying hydrated, eating before and during drinking, limiting your alcohol intake, and avoiding caffeine and soda, you can enjoy the summer season to the fullest without worrying about the dreaded hangover headache.