Experts have shared some tips for having a hangover-free holiday season this year, providing a list of some remedies that actually work and some that should be avoided

Heading into the holiday season, the urge to drink is likely to consume many people as they prepare to celebrate with their families or ring in the new year with some wine or spirits.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, a lot of people are unfortunately in for a rough couple of weeks, with hangovers looming over their fun evenings out.

But if certain precautions are taken, they could entirely avoid the pain and literal headache of the next morning, several experts say. You don’t have to start off the new year with a hangover.

Hydration is one of the best ways to combat a hangover, experts say ( 
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Here are some of the tried and tested hangover remedies or prevention methods experts endorse — and some of the “remedies” you should avoid.

Hydrate

Perhaps the biggest, easiest way to prevent or cure a hangover is to simply drink fluids, especially water. Dehydration is one of, if not the, leading cause of hangovers.

Drinking alcohol often leads to dehydration, since it prompts more frequent urination, experts told Detroit’s Local 4. Surefire signs of dehydration are dark-colored urine and — you guessed it — headaches.

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More severe cases of dehydration can lead to diarrhea, sweating or vomiting. Drinking water is recommended before, during and after drinking, and doing so can help ease a hangover.

Eat potassium-rich fruits, ginger and carbs

Eating potassium-rich fruits like bananas, oranges, apricots, grapefruits and a few others are a great way to replenish depleted electrolytes lost from consuming excess amounts of alcohol.

When paired with ginger, including drinks like ginger ale, they can help cure sickness that results from a hangover. Carbs can also help replenish blood sugar levels, which can take dangerous dips after drinking.

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Consuming vitamins can also help, though generally, that remedy is reserved for less severe hangovers. Vitamin B of all types and zinc are good to consume in that case.

Douse yourself in cold water

Dunking your head in ice water can reportedly help relieve some hangover symptoms, though it might not be a permanent fix. Cold water reportedly triggers a brain response after skin receptors in the scalp register the cold.

Taking certain medications can help with the hangover symptoms, but some are recommended over others, and all could upset the stomach ( 
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The cold sensation can slow down the heart and divert blood back to the brain, helping with some of the worst symptoms of a hangover. But to actually cure a hangover, it might be best to practice some of the above methods.

Take pain relievers

Another temporary but effective hangover fix is taking pain medications. By the time a hangover begins, it may already be too late to take them, but pain relievers like Aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAIDs can relieve pain and aches.

However, it’s recommended that those wishing to take them go easy, as they can irritate the stomach, especially if it’s already been irritated by alcohol. Tylenol and acetaminophen aren’t recommended, either.

Drink coffee or tea as a last resort

Drinking coffee or tea can sometimes help alleviate hangover symptoms, but only as a last resort — most of the time, the caffeine found within both drinks can exacerbate hangover symptoms.

That being said, if a daily dose of caffeine is what your body is used to, drinking some might help you feel better. But tea is the preferred option over coffee in most cases since tea has less caffeine and often, especially if it’s green tea, contains ingredients that can help cure hangovers.

Debunking some hangover cure myths

There are several home remedies that many people swear by to cure hangovers, but experts warn against most of them. Drinking pickle juice is one of them since the substance contains an immense amount of sodium, which can cause swelling, bloating and gas and stomach pain.

Consuming raw eggs, which have B vitamins, is also not a great idea, because there simply aren’t enough vitamins to make a difference. Consuming raw eggs in general can also be dangerous, leading to salmonella in some cases, though it’s rare.

Drinking more alcohol and some other remedies many swear by for hangovers aren’t