Picture this: you were having fun last night, dancing the night away, surrounded by people you love, with a drink in your hand. And then, the next day, you woke up with an extreme headache and a deep sense of regret, promising yourself it would be the last liquor of your life.

We get it, drinking can be fun. However, hangovers are the bittersweet aftermath — and it’s something that’s difficult to avoid sometimes. But that does not mean it’s not possible. There is certainly something one can do to cure or even avoid it. Here, we’ve compiled some tips and tricks on how to fully enjoy your cocktail night out without the insufferable hangover later.

Stay Hydrated

Alcohol is a diuretic, which can lead to dehydration by quickly reducing fluids in your body. While dehydration is just one of the minor symptoms of hangovers (and sometimes not the main cause), it can cause thirst or even a headache, which only adds to your already intense agony.

Luckily, dehydration is not that difficult to avoid. That is why it’s important to stay hydrated all the time and drink water, if possible, after every two shots in the bar (some recommend drinking at least one glass of water for every alcoholic drink), or just make sure you drink plenty of water before going to bed.

We know a drunken night can lead to falling straight to bed, but you have to be wary of the aftermath and drink that water before it’s too late. And don’t forget to start your day with plenty of water the moment you wake up for added protection. You’ll thank yourself later if you do so.

Never, Ever Drink on an Empty Stomach

Alcohol intake can, of course, lead to hangover symptoms. But drinking on an empty stomach? That’s a mistake right there. Drinking without eating beforehand can intensify the effects later, as alcohol can pass through the small intestine so easily without food to slow it down. Therefore, having food in your system is essential so alcohol is absorbed more slowly into your bloodstream.

While there aren’t any specific foods you can take to entirely avoid a hangover, Healthline suggests eating foods high in protein and other essential nutrients, such as eggs, bananas, Greek yogurt, oats, avocado, melon, and more. The bottom line is, just make sure you’ve eaten before taking that shot of tequila.

Consider Using Anti-Hangover Products

There aren’t really any products that can completely avoid a hangover, but there are certainly some that can help alleviate it. Anti-hangover products are becoming popular, especially among those who want to minimize the effects of a fun night full of cocktails and good times. One such example is Inno.N, an anti-hangover jelly stick from Korea (one of the country’s bestsellers), which you can take at least 20 minutes before drinking and one more after. It comes in different flavors and is available for purchase via Lotte.

You may also want to try Reset, an anti-hangover pill from the Philippines, which can help the body recover from the inevitable effects of drinking alcohol. It also supports a healthy liver; thus, the name Reset. It’s made of all-natural ingredients and can help protect your liver, providing a reset from the toxins. It’s available for purchase through Reset’s official website.

Get Enough Sleep

Give your body some time to recover after technically depriving it of rest in exchange for a fun drink session. Skipping sleep after drinking can only worsen the symptoms of a hangover, so a good night’s rest could help you recover. While drinking naturally disrupts your natural sleep cycle as it reduces REM sleep, according to the Sleep Foundation, it’s crucial you allot time to rest so your body can fully recover.

It’s also important to make sure you drink without any responsibilities you have to attend to tomorrow, so you can give your body the chance to rest properly. With less sleep after alcohol, you may wake up feeling even more drained, worsening hangover symptoms. And make sure you’ve had enough sleep before drinking, because otherwise, your body will struggle to recover the next day. It’s all about balance. Have fun, but also listen to your body.

Drink Moderately

Last, and certainly not least, you have to drink in moderation. This is the easiest and most obvious way to prevent a hangover. Alcohol is just an added perk to an already fun evening, helping you really loosen up and enhancing the whole social atmosphere. It brings people together and adds to the excitement. But it’s not the main event — it’s just an extra ingredient to the real fun.

If you don’t want the morning-after effects of a hangover, it’s important to pace yourself and stay mindful of your limits. You don’t want to overwhelm your system by drinking excessively. Always remember: the less alcohol you consume, the less likely you are to suffer the next day.