How to Paint with Squirt Guns

Squirt gun painting is a fun and easy art project. Be sure to select a handful of reliable squirt guns. You'll also need to purchase or make your own washable paint. Finally, plan the specific project you're envisioning ahead of time, carefully load the squirt guns, and fire away.

EditSteps

EditSelecting a Squirt Gun

1. Get reliable squirt guns. There’s nothing that will interrupt the fun quite as quickly as a dud squirt gun. Accordingly, avoid the cheapest squirt guns, as they tend to break (not to mention leak). You don’t need to get the fanciest guns on the market, but look for options that feel solid to the touch and have triggers that are easy to pull.^[1]
   
   • If you do go the dollar store route, be sure to get extra in case a few don't work out.
   • Generic options from large retailers are often just as good a name-brand options.
2. Consider a pump squirt gun. Depending on the age of your children and the specific activity you have planned, squirt guns that fire by way of a pump instead of trigger may be preferable. For instance, young children may struggle with a trigger, but be able to pump a small squirt gun.^[2]
   
   • Whether trigger or pump-powered, simple pistol-style guns will be sufficient for most projects.
3. Choose based on the gun’s reservoir. The reservoir that will hold the liquid paint is important for two reasons. Second, the reservoir closure is a good indication of the quality of the gun.
   
   • Smaller reservoirs, of course, will be better for stationary art projects, in part because the guns will be lighter and easier for children to aim.
   • Be sure to check the seal on the reservoir's closure. Cheap plastic plug closures are unreliable, and indicate that the toy is low quality in general. That said, these may work fine for a one-time project or party, especially if you get extra.

EditChoosing and Making Paint

1. Default to washable paint. Whatever the specific type of paint you use and how much you water it down, you probably want to choose a washable option. This is true even if you’re hoping your kids will focus on painting a canvas instead of one another.
   
2. Try tempera paint. Washable tempera paint works especially well. It often comes in liquid form already, but you can also get it in powdered form to be mixed with water. If you get the liquid type, mix it with at least equal parts water. Follow the directions on the packaging of powdered tempera paint, and use roughly twice as much water as they call for.^[3]
   
3. Make your own liquid watercolors. You can purchase washable liquid watercolors, but they’re also very easy to make. You’ll save money by making your own too. Simply purchase a small plastic tray of different watercolor paints. Pop out the colors you want to make into liquid paint and add them to individual containers of water that is just below boiling.^[4]
   
   • Use as much water as you want. The more you use, the less bright the color of the paint will be. For an art project, start with about a half a pint of water for each color.
4. Store paint in recycled condiment containers. Plastic condiment containers with a flip-top lid and small opening are ideal for storing your liquid paints. Not only do they facilitate easy dispensing, they are also the hardest to spill.^[5]
   
   • If you don’t use all of the paints, store them out of the direct sunlight. Shake them before their next use.

EditFilling and Shooting Paint

1. Provide funnels for filling. Unless you have storage bottles with nozzles that can fit into the squirt guns’ reservoirs, funnels will be necessary to help fill the guns. Direct children to take their time while filling their squirt guns, and not to overflow the funnel.^[6]
   
2. Submerge squirt guns that are hard to fill. If the hole to the squirt gun’s reservoir is especially small, there may be trouble filling it. In these cases, put the paint and liquid mixture into a plastic container that is slightly larger than the gun. This will allow users to submerge the gun, and allow water to replace the air in the reservoir.^[7]
   
   • Food storage containers such as Tupperware work especially well.
   • Note that this filling method is more likely to lead to paint all over everyone’s hands, etc.
3. Use watercolor paper or canvas panels for paintings. For art projects, prop a canvas panel on an easel or suspend a piece of watercolor paper from a similar apparatus. Be sure to do so ahead of time, so there's something to shoot at as soon as the kids get their hands on the arsenal.^[8]
   
4. Experiment with the way you shoot. For instance, the squirt guns will have a different effect upon the canvas when the shooter is standing closer or further from their work. In general, shots taken near the canvas will be easier to aim, and paint will disperse less before it hits the canvas. Meanwhile, shots from further away will provide a sprayed effect.^[9]
   
5. Use painter's tape to make shapes on the canvases. Before painting, block off a section of the canvas in whatever shape or pattern you want. When the tape is removed, the shapes will be preserved within the splashes of color.^[10]
   
6. Dye t-shirts with older kids. Consider using clothing dye in squirt guns to make custom t-shirts or other items with older kids. Since the dye will be permanent, make sure everyone understands that they shouldn’t spray one another, or anything other than the intended target.^[11]
   
   • Clothing dye is available in powder and liquid forms at many grocery stores and other large retail stores.
   • Follow the directions on the dye’s packaging.
7. Allow the paintings to dry. Once everyone is finished painting, carefully take down the canvases and store them horizontally to allow them to dry. Allowing the works to dry vertically is also an option, but be aware that the paint will likely continue to run downwards and may saturate the bottom of the canvas.^[12]
   

EditSources and Citations

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How to Lengthen Eyelashes Without Mascara

Long, fluttery lashes always seem to provide a more sultry look, and mascara works really well to help lengthen and define your lashes. If you're not a fan of mascara, though, that doesn't mean you're doomed to short, stubby lashes. You can give yourself longer lashes at home with the right products, such as false lashes, an eyelash curler, and eyeliner. If you prefer longer lashes that last for more than a day, though, you'll need to visit a salon where a professional can give you lash extensions, perm your lashes, or tint the lashes to help them appear longer. For naturally longer lashes, you can also use products such as lash growth serums, natural oils, and biotin -- but you'll need to have a little patience for those methods because it can take a while to see results.

EditSteps

EditGiving Yourself Longer Lashes Temporarily

1. Consider false lashes. The most common way to lengthen your lashes without mascara is to apply false eyelashes. You can find false lashes in full strips that fit your entire lashline or individual clusters that you can place exactly where you want extra length.^[1]
   
   • Full strip false lashes offer the most dramatic look, so they work best if you want major length for your lashes.
   • Individual lashes work best if you want a more natural, subtle look.
   • You may need to cut or trim strip lashes to fit your eye shape. Always test a pair before trying to put them on.
2. Apply the false lashes properly. To secure the lashes to your lid, apply lash glue to the false lash band or cluster. Let the glue sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute so it dries and becomes slightly tacky. Set the lashes just above your natural lash line starting at the outer corner and pressing inward to secure them.^[2]
   
   • When you’re applying your lashes, it helps to set your mirror below you and tilt your chin downward so you can place the lashes at the right angle.
   • After you’ve applied the lashes to your eye, let them sit for another 30 seconds to 1 minute to ensure that the glue has bonded with your skin.
   • To remove the lashes at the end of the day, simply peel up one of the edges and gently pull the lashes off. You may need to use eye makeup remover to take off any glue residue that may be on your lashes or skin.
3. Curl your lashes. When your lashes are perfectly straight, they tend to look shorter and more sparse. Curling them helps lift the lashes so they have a longer appearance. Use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes along their entire length for the longest look.^[3]
   
   • You can purchase an eyelash curler at drugstores, beauty supply stores, or any store that sells cosmetics.
   • Start with the eyelash curler at the base of your lashes, and hold it closed for approximately 3 seconds. Next, move the curler to the center of your lashes and hold it closed for another 3 seconds. Finally, place the curler at the end of your lashes and hold it closed for a final 3 seconds.
   • If you don’t have an eyelash curler, you can use a clean toothbrush to help curl your lashes. Run the brush under hot water and then dry it lightly with a clean towel. Next, run the brush through your lashes, starting at the base and holding it at the tips for several seconds to create the curl.^[4]
4. Add eyeliner to the base and underside of your top lashline. If you want to skip mascara, using eyeliner strategically can help make your lashes appear longer. Instead of applying the liner to your lid, trace it right along the base of your lashes. Next, gently pull up on your eyelid to expose the underside of your lashline, also known as the tightline, and apply liner there as well to make your lashes appear thicker and longer.^[5]
   
   • Use a dark eyeliner so it blends in with your lashes. Black is usually the best option, but if your lashes are light, you may prefer a brown liner.
   • For the liner at the base of your lashes, you can use pencil, powder, liquid, or cream eyeliner. For the tightline, use a pencil or cream liner.

EditVisiting the Salon for Longer Lashes

1. Get eyelash extensions. If you want to lengthen your lashes without mascara for more than just a day, lash extensions are an ideal option. At a salon or other venue that offers beauty services, you can have individual lashes bonded to the tips of your natural lashes with medical-grade adhesive. Lash extensions usually last 4 to 6 weeks.^[6]
   
   • When you’re wearing lash extensions, it’s important to be careful when touching your eyes, such as rubbing them when they’re itchy or washing your face at the end of the night. If you’re too rough, you may loosen the adhesive.
   • Lash extensions can be fairly costly, so they’re not the best option if you’re on a budget.
   • Some people experience an allergic reaction to the adhesive used to attach the extensions. Ask the esthetician to a patch test with the adhesive on your skin before applying the extensions.
   • Getting lash extensions too frequently can lead to breakage for your natural lashes, so it’s best to just get them when you have special events coming up.
2. Have your lashes permed. If you’re tired of curling your lashes with an eyelash curler to make them appear longer, you may want to consider an eyelash perm. Just as with traditional hair perms, chemicals are applied to your lashes which are then wrapped around foam rollers to curl them. Your lashes will remain curled for 1 to 3 months.^[7]
   
   • Lash perming must be done by a trained professional.
   • Because lash perming utilizes chemicals, there is the possibility that your eyes and the skin around them may become irritated afterward. Leaving the perm solution on too long can also cause your lashes to break or fall out. Make sure to visit a reputable salon where the esthetician has experience performing lash perms.
3. Tint your lashes. If you have light colored lashes, they probably look shorter than they actually are. Instead of using mascara, though, you can darken your lashes to help lengthen their appearance by having them tinted with a vegetable-based dye. Visit a trained esthetician to have your lashes tinted, and the results will typically last 4 to 6 weeks.^[8]
   
   • As with any type of lash treatment, there is the possibility of an allergic reaction when you have your lashes tinted. Ask the esthetician to do a patch test on your skin before using the dye to ensure that you aren’t allergic to the dye’s ingredients.
   • Just as with lash extensions or perms, it’s important to visit a reputable salon with trained professionals to have your lashes tinted.

EditUsing Long Term Products for Longer Lashes

1. Use a lash growth serum. If you don’t want to bother with mascara ever again, you may want to invest in an eyelash growth serum. These products use peptides and other ingredients to help extend the growth phase of the lashes. However, prescription treatments are typically the only ones that work. Over-the-counter formulas usually just contain conditioning ingredients that may not necessarily help with growth. See a dermatologist to talk about your options.^[9]
   
   • You won’t see overnight results from a lash growth serum. It may take 2 to 6 months to see any results.
   • In order to see results, you must apply the serum nightly. It’s also important to apply the serum right at the lashline. The hairs that make up the lashes are already dead, so applying it to them won’t make any difference.
   • Be aware that there are possible side effects associated with prescription lash growth serum. It has been known to discolor both the the lid and iris of the eye.
2. Condition your lashes with oil. Lashes may break and fall off if they’re not properly moisturized and conditioned. Natural oils, such as olive, coconut, castor, and jojoba, are believed to help moisturize and strengthen your lashes so they can grow longer. Apply some to your lashes every night as part of your skin care routine.^[10]
   
   • When using a oil to condition your lashes for added length, consistency and patience are key. You won’t see results overnight. Condition your lashes every night, and give your lashes at least 2 to 3 months to respond.
   • To apply the oil to your lashes, you can dab a small amount on your fingertips and run them over your lashes. However, to ensure that all of your lashes are coated, it’s better to dip a clean spoolie into the oil and then run it through your lashes like you would with mascara.
   • Petroleum jelly can also work well as a lash conditioner to help your lashes grow longer. You can apply it to your lashes in the same way that you would an oil.
3. Take biotin supplements. Biotin is a vitamin that is thought to help strengthen weak, brittle hair, so it is often suggested for hair health. Taking a biotin supplement daily may help your lashes grow longer and thicker, but it can take several months to see any results.^[11]
   
   • Biotin is water-soluble, so it passes out of your system fairly quickly. That means it’s unlikely that you could take too much of it. However, you should always speak to your doctor before starting any supplements to ensure that they’re safe for you to take with your other medications and to determine the proper dosage.
   • If you don’t want to take biotin supplements, you can incorporate certain foods in your diet that are high in the vitamin. Almonds, pecans, bananas, egg yolks, and whole grains all contain biotin.

EditTips

• If you wear eye makeup other than mascara, use a makeup remover to take it off at the end of the day. Removers help dissolve the makeup so you don’t have to scrub at your eyes, which make cause your lashes to break or fall out.
• If you don’t like to use mascara because of how dark it is, you may want to consider a clear mascara. It can separate and define your lashes so they appear longer without adding any color.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Make 4th of July Strawberries

Celebrate America’s birthday in style with these red, white and blue strawberry delights. All you need are large, quality strawberries and a little chocolate, then watch these treats disappear in a minute.

EditIngredients

• Large strawberries (washed and dried)
• White chocolate
• Blue edible sugar

EditSteps

1. Pour blue sugar into a small bowl. Place the bowl near the area where you plan to let the strawberries dry, preferably on a sheet of waxed paper laid out on the counter.
   
2. Melt chocolate in a separate bowl. You can melt chocolate a few different ways--either in the microwave or using a double boiler.
   
   • Microwave chocolate in a glass bowl in 20 second increments. Stir chocolate and then return to the microwave until the chocolate is almost completely melted. Stirring chocolate will encourage the melting process.
   • Alternatively, melt on a double boiler by simmering chocolate on low, stirring constantly. Remove from heat just before chocolate is completely melted. Continue stirring until chocolate is completely melted.
3. Dip strawberry into white chocolate, ¾ of the way. Hold the strawberry by the green stem to dip. Don’t dip all the way up--you want the top portion to remain red.
   
4. Dip the bottom third of the chocolate covered strawberry into the blue sugar. Spoon sugar over the bottom to completely cover it.
   
5. Place strawberry on waxed paper until cool/hardened.
   
6. Enjoy!
   

EditTips

• Only use ripe, red strawberries for best results.
• Leave strawberry green tops so you can grip the strawberries for dipping.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Make Fourth of July Jello Shots
• Make Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
• Make Patriotic Strawberries
• Make Patriotic Popsicles

EditSources and Citations

• http://ift.tt/1oK1w7E

How to Study if You're Blind or Visually Impaired

Both specialized and non-specialized schools of all levels have plenty of resources to help you study if you’re blind or visually impaired. From assistive technologies to test taking accommodations, there are lots of options to help guarantee your educational success. Talk to your teachers and school’s disability support office about help with taking notes and accessing tools like textbooks with audio recordings. Set yourself up for success by keeping your study materials organized and managing your time effectively.

EditSteps

EditTaking Notes in Class

1. Ask your teacher to help you prepare for each lecture. Talk to your teacher at the start of the term to discuss how they can help you get the most from each lecture. If possible, make arrangements to show up for class early to preview that day’s lesson.^[1]
   
   • Tell them, “Meeting 15 minutes before class starts to preview the lesson’s main points would be helpful. It’s easier to take and review notes when I know the main aims of a class session.”
   • Ask if they use outlines for class sessions and if they’re willing to provide you with them.^[2]
2. Tell your teacher if you’re using an audio recorder. If you record lectures, talk to your teacher about how they can accommodate you. Test your device with them before class starts to make sure you get a clear recording.^[3]
   
   • Be sure to ask your teacher to verbalize anything they write on chalkboards or other visual aids they use. You can also help your teacher remember that moving around too much or talking with their back to you might muffle the recording.^[4]
3. Ask for a notetaker. Have your school’s disability support office appoint someone to take notes for you. They can assign you a notetaker, typically another student, and give the note taker  a special carbonless notebook to easily create copies of notes.^[5]
   
   • It’s usually easier to study from notes that are already reduced to an outlined, bullet point form. Audio recordings of lectures are great for getting a full description, but it can take time to consolidate a recorded lesson into a quick study outline.
4. Aim to understand the material. It can be tempting to just try to memorize your notes and recordings. However, you’ll have much more success if you aim to understand the material instead of simply memorizing it. Listen to your recording, pause it, say it to yourself out loud, and write down any questions you need to ask your teacher or personal tutor.^[6]
   
5. Attend all extra help or study sessions. Do your best to go to any study sessions that your teacher or peers offer. These will give you more opportunities to ask questions than a typical class session. You can go over your notes or listen to a lecture recording, identify areas where you need clarification, then get a better understanding in study group.^[7]
   
6. Meet with your teacher during office hours. If your teacher or professor has office hours, do you best to make regular visits. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions or get clarification on topics giving you trouble. You can also ask about the most important points to study, which will help you organize and consolidate your notes.
   

EditStaying Organized

1. Create a comfortable study space. Use a comfortable chair, and choose an area with enough room for adequate desk space, your equipment, and storage for your notes and books. Keep your equipment (such as a reading machine or computer) and storage shelves within arm’s reach. Make sure everything you use, from audio recorders to laptop plugs, has a designated home to reduce the time it takes to locate them.^[8]
   
2. Keep your filing systems well-organized. If you use paper storage for your notes, keep them organized by class and date. Label your filing folders using a tactile pen for easy reference. For your digital storage, create file and folder names that include a course title, date, and brief description of their contents.^[9]
   
3. Manage your time effectively. Make a study plan at the start of the week and stick to it. List that week’s assignments and break up work into nightly tasks. For example, if you know you have a test on Friday, designate an hour each evening to study each unit included in the test.^[10]
   
   • Remember to pace yourself and take breaks so you don’t spread yourself too thin. It can be taxing to convert text documents and use technological interfaces, especially for long reading assignments.
4. Reward yourself for meeting your study goals. Come up with small incentives that will help you meet your time management goals. You could have a favorite snack or treat, give yourself time off from schoolwork, or schedule some time for your favorite activity. If you don’t meet your study goals you don’t get your reward, but try not to be too hard on yourself.^[11]
   

EditUsing Resources and Technology

1. Meet with your school’s disability support office early. Build a relationship with your school’s disability resource team before the start of the term. They will inform your teachers (with your permission) about any necessary accommodations and help you acquire audio recordings of your textbooks. They can also offer any equipment training you might need to improve your ability to use assistive technologies.^[12]
   
2. Arrange test-taking accommodations. When it comes time to take a test, ensure that you’re afforded the proper testing accommodations. These may include the use of readers, scribes, word processors, print magnification, and extra time to take tests.^[13]
   
   • The disability support office will help you arrange accommodations. In addition, their staff will likely administer your tests in a separate, quiet setting.
3. Use mobile apps that convert text to voice. Assistive apps make it easier to study your notes and textbooks, and are especially useful for materials that don’t already have an audio component. Consider downloading apps for your iOS or Android device such as TapTapSee (http://ift.tt/2jnucEt) or KNFB Reader (http://ift.tt/1tmcyRG).  
   
   • You can also find guides for using a variety of assistive technologies here: http://ift.tt/2siVDDe.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Deal With a Hangover the Day After

Did you have one drink (or a few) too many last night, and now you’re paying the price? A hangover is, in basic terms, the body attempting to deal with an excessive intake of toxins (it is called intoxication for a reason). Everyone seems to have a fool-proof cure for a hangover, but the truth is that time is the best remedy. There are helpful ways to deal with that hangover the next day while you wait for it to pass, though.

EditSteps

EditTrying to Get Rid of a Hangover

1. Re-hydrate your body. Whether this can truly shorten or lessen a hangover or not, it is a fact that alcohol consumption does contribute to fluid loss and that re-hydrating is essential to getting your body back into balance.^[1]
   
   • Drink lots of water the day after a night of drinking. Try carrying a refillable bottle around with you. It’s a good habit to get into even when you’re not hungover.
   • Sports drinks are also a good choice because they provide electrolytes and sodium, which are at less-than-optimal levels during dehydration.
   • Your blood sugar level can also be lowered by dehydration due to alcohol consumption, so also consider fruit juices, which provide ample amounts of fructose.
2. Manage painful symptoms with medications. There are plenty of supposed one-pill hangover cures out there, but none of them have rigorous scientific evidence of efficacy. It is wiser to stick with tried-and-true medications.^[2] Painkillers can be helpful if you have body aches or a throbbing headache, but take precautions with the most typical choices.
   
   • Aspirin-based painkillers, along with those containing ibuprofen, may irritate an already-irritated stomach, so use them in moderation.
   • Painkillers containing acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol), such as Tylenol, must also be taken with care. They can be hard on your liver, which is already in a weakened state while trying to clear the alcohol toxins from your body. Talk to your physician if you regularly consume alcohol or have existing liver issues.
   • Antacids may be helpful with a hangover-induced upset stomach, and multivitamins can help replenish your levels of key vitamins and nutrients.
3. Eat sensibly. Some people insist that a big, greasy breakfast, or lots of carbs that will “soak up” the alcohol in your body, are the key to curing a hangover. In reality, though, replenishing diminished nutrient levels should be your main goal.^[3]
   
   • Thin, broth-based soups provide nutrients and sodium while being easy on the stomach.
   • Bland foods like toast and crackers can also be a good choice if your stomach is upset, and they can help raise your blood sugar level as well.
   • Potassium is a key nutrient that is lost with dehydration, so choosing foods rich in it — bananas being the most well-known, but also potatoes, leafy greens, and others — can help restore your level.
   • The bacon and sausage of the big, greasy breakfast that some swear by are more likely to further upset your stomach. The eggs, however, are full of protein and nutrients and may be of benefit.
4. Check out How to Get Rid of a Hangover for more details on potential remedies. Take these remedies, and any others you come across, with a grain of salt, however. The truth is that there is little scientific evidence that anything other than time — that is, waiting for it to pass — is truly effective in treating a hangover.^[4]
   

EditWorking Around a Hangover

1. Accept that rest is best. Giving your body a sufficient period of rest in which to clear the body of toxins, restore hydration and nutrient levels, and alleviate discomfort is the most sensible way to deal with a hangover the day after.^[5]
   
   • Keep in mind that hangovers can last for up to 72 hours; basically, the more you play, the more you'll pay.
   • You probably don’t have the luxury of dedicating a whole day (or more) to resting through a hangover, but even short periods of rest or “power naps” can benefit your healing process.^[6]
2. Know your limitations. If you’ve experienced a hangover before, the common symptoms will be all too familiar. These can include headache, sluggishness, nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and sensitivity to light, sound, and motion, among others.
   
   • Keep in mind, however, that you are also likely to experience a decrease in your coordination, memory, reaction time, visual and spatial recognition, and attention span as well.^[7]
   • So, you might be able to go into work with a hangover, but don’t expect to function at peak performance. Also, take care driving and doing delicate or hazardous tasks.
3. Get some fresh air. Taking deep breaths of clean air is never a bad idea, and can only help in your body’s recuperation. If it’s a beautiful sunny day, grab some dark glasses to ward off any light sensitivity and let your sour hangover mood be enhanced by the great outdoors.
   
   • Light exercise, like taking a walk, can raise your metabolism and help the “flushing out” process. Remember that you’re still at least slightly dehydrated, though, so keep drinking water and don’t over-exert yourself.^[8]
   • Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day to keep hydrating.
4. Make the best of your day at work. Monday is a common “hangover day,” which means heading into work for many, raging headache and sour stomach or not.
   
   • If you have some flexibility, this would be a good day to go in a little later than usual. Any additional rest you can take will help your body recharge and repair.^[9]
   • For that matter, if you can manage a “power nap” or two at work — without finding a termination notice stuck to your sleeve when you wake up — that can help as well.
   • You’re not going to earn that promotion today, but pushing through your daily routine (with sensibly lowered expectations) might help you deal with your hangover.
5. Keep yourself occupied. Whether you’re struggling through a day at work or battling your hangover at home, finding engaging tasks that keep you busy can help take your mind off your discomfort.^[10]
   
   • Tasks around home like cleaning might be a welcome distraction to pass the time, but unless you really enjoy vacuuming, you may want to find tasks that both keep you busy and interested, perhaps like doing puzzles or gardening.
   • If you have options at your job — preparing a presentation versus completing a stack of HR forms, for instance — try to choose what will energize your mind and body.
   • Try to avoid making key decisions, however; remember that you mind is not at 100%.
6. Consider “hair of the dog” only as a last resort. Some believe the best way to cure a hangover is to start drinking again. All you’re doing is delaying (and intensifying) the inevitable pain, but if you need to feel a bit better soon and for a short while, maybe — just maybe — consider this.
   
   • By the way, the phrase “hair of the dog” comes from an old belief that covering a wound with hairs from the dog that bit you would ward off rabies. In both cases, you are using what hurt you to cure you.^[11] Also, each cure is about equally effective (meaning it's not really effective).
   • Keep in mind, however, that a strong urge to drink again after a binge the previous night may be a sign of a drinking problem.^[12]

EditPreventing the Next Hangover

1. Remember how your hangover feels. If you had a great time on Saturday, and suffered the consequences on Sunday, perhaps Monday is the day to do a more rational analysis of whether you want to undertake the overindulgence-to-hangover cycle again next weekend.
   
   • Would your night out have been significantly less enjoyable if you had consumed alcohol in moderation? Give it a try next time and see — and compare how you feel the day after as well.
   • A hangover is, like a stomach-ache after eating too much or sore muscles after over-exertion, your body’s way of signaling that you have overdone it. Think about whether you and your body would be better served by moderation.
2. Plan ahead for next time. If you are heading back out there next weekend, there are some strategies you can employ, other than just avoiding or limiting alcohol intake, to possibly limit the severity of your next hangover.
   
   • Eat food and drink water. This has less to do with absorbing or diluting the alcohol content in your body, as some may assume, and more about simply filling up space with something other than alcohol. By eating and drinking a glass of water between each round of alcohol, you are likely to markedly decrease the amount of alcohol you consume.^[13]
   • Try to drink a glass of water before crashing into bed as well, to help deal with dehydration.
   • Consider changing what you drink as well as how much you drink. Your body may react differently to the different compounds in various alcoholic beverages, for reasons such as a food intolerance. See if it helps to switch up your drinks of choice.^[14] But remember, alcohol is alcohol, whatever the type or brand, and your body has to work to get rid of it.
3. Don’t be afraid to seek help. If don’t feel able to moderate your drinking to prevent your next hangover, or if your frequent hangovers are affecting your job or your social relationships, know that there are a multitude of organizations, people, and programs that can and will help you deal with your problems with alcohol.
   
   • How to Drink Responsibly and How to Quit Drinking Alcohol offer good advice on dealing with overconsumption.

EditRelated wikiHows

• Get Rid of a Headache
• Prevent a Hangover
• Reduce Chronic Pain
• Get Rid of a Hangover

EditSources and Citations

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