Once you reach adulthood, you quickly realize that drinking becomes an essential part of any social event. Drinking makes conversations flow easier, celebrations more fun, and so much more.
However, while alcohol may make parties more fun, at the same time, you can only drink so much.
At one point in your life, you may need to attend several celebrations in one day. Perhaps you need to attend a baby shower in the morning, a beach wedding in Abu Dhabi in the afternoon, then celebrate your co-worker’s promotion in the evening. Or maybe you need to attend an event at the beach where you will be partying all day, every day for several days straight.
How can you ensure that you will be able to fully enjoy an event where the drinks keep coming? Our experts on beach club parties share some advice for drinking responsibly. With the help of these tips, you can socialize without worrying about the effects of drinking the day after.
1. Stay under the shade
A beach party may sound like the best opportunity to spend time swimming or getting a tan. At some beaches, you may even get a chance to surf, jet ski, or ride a banana boat with your friends. However, too much of anything, even fun experiences like spending prolonged periods at the beach, can be bad for your health.
Staying too long under the harsh rays of the sun, especially without wearing any sunscreen, increases your chances of burning to a crisp, developing skin cancer, or experiencing a heat stroke. Just a couple of hours may not seem like much when you are snoozing on a beach bed, but you will feel the effects the day after. A bad case of sunburn will make you look like a cooked crab and feel like you’re on fire.
Getting some vitamin D may sound like a good plan, but your skin won’t feel too thrilled about excess exposure. Studies also show that having too much alcohol in your blood can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays. As a result, you increase your chances of developing melanomas or other forms of cancer.
Stay in a cottage, rent a cabana, or sit under a beach umbrella. It may not sound fun and exciting, but by remaining under the shade at the beach, you keep your skin soft and supple and protected from sunburn. Your skin and body will thank you for it.
2. Stay hydrated
Dehydration is very real, especially when it comes to partying at the beach or anywhere outdoors. Quenching your thirst with nothing but alcoholic drinks is not only impractical, but also potentially harmful to health. As much as possible, don’t just drink alcohol.
Remember that alcohol is a diuretic. Every sip of your drink, whether it is in the form of wine, beer, or cocktails, can make you lose liquid. Unlike water and juices that can help rehydrate your body, alcoholic drinks give you the urge to urinate more frequently.
Beach heat also makes it worse. Spending too much time under the sun can make you dehydrated. The best thing you can do for your body is to drink a glass of water in between ordering alcoholic beverages.
3. Avoid swimming after drinking
It’s midday, and you’ve already had a few drinks. The cool water looks very inviting. Understandably, you want to go for a dip.
As enticing as the idea may be, don’t go near the water once you have taken a few shots of vodka or a few glasses of wine. Alcohol can affect your sense of balance and reaction time. Similar to drinking and driving, you may end up getting into an accident when you swim or get on a boat while inebriated.
Use the pool, or head over to the beach before you decide to drink. This way, you can safely drive a jet ski or swim a few laps. If you have already taken a few drinks, stick to the shallow end of a pool to cool off so you won’t risk your health and safety or anybody else’s.
4. Count your drinks
You’re sure to have your drink of choice, which can wither be a shot or glass of pure liquor or a flavorful cocktail. With cocktails, because of the sweeter taste, you often don’t realize when you have already consumed a lot.
Keep count of the drinks you consume, regardless of the kind of drink you choose. As much as possible, take a break in between each serving and drink water. By doing so, you can have more time to truly enjoy the party and mingle with the crowd.
Drinks are must-haves at any fun beach party. Enjoy more of the event by drinking in moderation. This way, you’ll be sure to have plenty of great stories and memories to share about the event.
AUTHOR BIO
Soraya Abdul Azis is the Marketing Manager for Saadiyat Beach Club in the UAE, the very first beach club on Saadiyat where guests can enjoy and celebrate a world of fine living, health and well-being. Soraya has worked in Design, Advertising and PR in Dubai and Beirut for the past 4 years.