March Madness is an exciting time for college basketball fans. It’s a time for friends to gather, cheer on their favorite teams, and participate in activities that are centered around basketball. Unfortunately, it can also be a time where binge drinking becomes more prevalent.
If you are looking for ways to have fun during March Madness without having to worry about the dreaded morning-after hangover, then this blog post is just what you need! Here are some simple tips that you can use to avoid binge drinking during this year’s tournament. Let’s take a look.
1. Don’t Go Out with an Empty Stomach
If you are planning on attending a party or gathering during March Madness, make sure to eat something beforehand. Eating will help your body process alcohol more slowly and prevent you from drinking too much too quickly.
Keep in mind that drinks such as beer and mixed drinks can pack quite a punch when it comes to calories. So make sure that if you do plan on consuming alcoholic beverages during March Madness, try not to overdo it by eating something first.
2. Engage in Non-Drinking Activities
March Madness isn’t only about drinking, it’s also about having fun with your friends and celebrating the spirit of college basketball. It’s easy to get caught up in the party atmosphere during March Madness, but there are plenty of alternative activities that can help keep your mind off of drinking.
Have some non-drinking activities planned for yourself and your friends ahead of time so you can stay engaged in the festivities without feeling tempted to drink excessively.
Some ideas include playing card games or darts, watching movies, playing video games, or even just talking with friends. This way you won’t feel like you have to keep up with everyone else who might be doing shots at the bar or drinking beer bongs at parties.
3. Find a Non-Drinking Buddy
Having someone who is also abstaining from drinking alcohol can be helpful when it comes to avoiding peer pressure during March Madness events where alcohol may be present.
Having someone there who understands what it takes to stay sober can encourage you not to give in and feel left out when everyone else is partying around you.
Plus, having a buddy there who is not drinking will allow both of you to still enjoy each other’s company while having fun without worrying about ending up hungover the next day!
4. Pace Yourself
There will be instances wherein you might feel like having a drink. If you must indulge, make sure to pace yourself to avoid excessive alcohol use.
Take note that the body can only process one standard drink an hour. That means 1 bottle of beer, 1 can of White Claw, or 1 shot of tequila only within one hour. If you exceed and drink 3 White Claws in an hour, that will surely send you spinning.
So if you do decide to drink, make sure to take it slow and watch the clock. This will help you avoid getting drunk quickly and having a bad hangover the next day.
5. Be Firm in Saying NO
At some point during March Madness events, someone might try pressuring you into taking a drink or more than what you can handle. It’s important that if this happens that you stay firm in your decision not to drink excessively.
Even if everyone around you is doing so, stay firm because ultimately no one knows better than yourself what your body needs and how much alcohol is too much for you to handle.
If people still give you hassle after saying no then don’t hesitate to leave their presence if necessary. There are plenty of other fun activities out there you can do instead.
Staying Sober During March Madness
For college students, it can be difficult sometimes to avoid excessive partying during peak times like March Madness season. But with these tips, you can stay sober and still enjoy a fun and meaningful time with your friends.
And by looking out for your own health, you’ll be sure to make the most of March Madness without having to worry about suffering through a hangover. So go ahead and cheer on your favorite team, just remember to stay safe doing it.
If you need help with alcohol abuse, reach out to Morningside Recovery by Lighthouse. We provide a variety of addiction treatment programs and we are ready to help you get on the road to recovery.
