weird3 min(s) read
Zebra striping is drinking hack 'everyone should be doing' at parties over Christmas
It’s that time of year again - the week of the office Christmas party, where awkward chats, karaoke disasters, and a few too many pints can leave you with more than just a headache.
For most people, the easiest way to make their coworkers tolerable is to dive headfirst into the drinks menu. But between the wine, cocktails, and beer, that “just one” can quickly become a blur of regret. Whether you black out before dessert or just wake up questioning every move you made on the dance floor, the hangover is never worth it.
If you’re not cutting out alcohol completely but still want to avoid feeling like death warmed up the next day, health experts have a simple strategy that could be your saving grace: zebra striping.
What is zebra striping and how does it help?
Zebra striping involves alternating between alcoholic drinks and water throughout your night. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it could be the one thing that saves you from a splitting headache the morning after.
Experts say one of the biggest reasons we get hangovers is dehydration. Even if your drink tastes cool and refreshing, it’s actually drying you out. The water, meanwhile, keeps your body hydrated, flushes out toxins, and even refreshes your palate for your next sip of booze.
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According to Cosmopolitan, “everyone” should be trying this hack, and non-alcoholic beer brand Lucky Saint is also backing the trend. Luke Boase, the company's founder, said: "We've seen this trend of zebra striping grow massively this year, with a quarter of UK adults now doing it."
He added: "Alternating between alcohol-free and alcoholic drinks is an easy structure to follow and helps people define how they are approaching their drinking."
Brits are already getting on board
A recent survey shows around 25 percent of Brits are already zebra striping, and two-thirds say they regularly mix in non-alcoholic drinks during their nights out. That’s a pretty solid sign that the method is catching on - especially with seasoned partygoers who’ve learned the hard way how brutal hangovers can be.
And let's face it, sipping a glass of water in between pints might not be the most exciting choice, but it’s cheaper than any “miracle” hangover cure and a lot more effective than heading straight to McDonald’s and hoping for the best.
If you’ve got a Christmas party this week, it might be time to test the zebra striping method yourself. Not just to save your own dignity, but so you can stay sharp enough to remember the embarrassing things everyone else does.
Please drink responsibly. If you want to discuss any issues relating to alcohol in confidence, contact Drinkline on 0300 123 1110, 9am–8pm weekdays and 11am–4pm weekends for advice and support.