Why Does Day Drinking Make You Feel More Tired? …C0NTINUE READING HERE >>>
Key Takeaways
Drinking alcohol in hot weather can lead to quicker dehydration and exhaustion due to increased fluid loss.The total amount of alcohol consumed matters more than the time of day when it comes to the potential impact on your body.Eating food before drinking and staying hydrated can help mitigate the adverse effects of alcohol consumption.
Having a few beers on a summer afternoon might make you feel tired more quickly than drinking in the evening.
There's little scientific evidence that the time of day affects how your body responds to alcohol. However, factors like dehydration and hot weather can make day drinking feel more taxing on your body.
“Day drinking does not necessarily affect the body any differently than drinking in the evening. More commonly, because someone starts drinking earlier, they ultimately consume more alcohol over the course of the day,” Mark J. Conroy, MD, an emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Verywell in an email.
If you start drinking in the morning, you might notice hangover symptoms by the evening as your blood alcohol levels drop. Symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, and nausea typically peak once blood alcohol levels reach zero.
The timing of alcohol consumption matters less than the total amount consumed. Excessive drinking can reduce impulse control and coordination, leading to poor decision-making. During the Fourth of July, drunk driving accounts for a significant portion of traffic fatalities.
“The problem with alcohol is it doesn't matter when it is. If you drink too much, there's going to be bad outcomes,” Tavis Glassman, PhD, MPH, a professor of public health at The University of Toledo, told Verywell.
If you want to celebrate the holiday with some margaritas while grilling hot dogs, here are some ways to enjoy your day without feeling exhausted when it's time for fireworks.
Have Some Food Before Drinking
Make sure you eat something before cracking open a can of beer.
“Drinking on an empty or mostly empty stomach causes faster absorption and higher blood levels,” Richard Ries, MD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told Verywell in an email.
Ries recommends drinking slowly and with food. Having food in your stomach slows alcohol absorption, but drinking too many drinks too quickly will still lead to intoxication.
Stay Hydrated, Especially When Drinking in the Sun
Between parades, barbecues, and firework displays, most Fourth of July celebrations take place outside. With high temperatures expected across the country, staying hydrated while celebrating is crucial.
“Regardless of alcohol intake, when someone is exposed to hotter temperatures for prolonged periods, they need to be more aware of how they are feeling and adjust their fluid intake accordingly to avoid dehydration,” Conroy said.
Not drinking enough water while sweating in hot summer weather contributes to dehydration, and adding alcohol to the mix can make this worse. Alcohol stops the hormone vasopressin from telling the kidneys to retain fluids, causing you to urinate more and lose additional fluids.
“Alcohol can impair your body's natural ability to maintain a healthy temperature, leading to increased risk of heat illness and heat stroke,” Conroy said.
It's best to avoid alcohol and other dehydrating beverages, like coffee, soda, and caffeinated tea, if you plan to spend time outside in the heat. However, if you decide to drink alcohol, Conroy said it is important to drink plenty of water and other electrolyte-containing fluids that don't have alcohol content.
Setting Up a Drinking Window for Yourself
If you're going to a house party, plan how you'll get home before having your first sip of alcohol, Glassman said. It might even be wise to delay your first drink for as long as possible and set a cut-off time for yourself.
Anyone celebrating the Fourth of July at the pool or beach should also keep in mind the risks associated with combining alcohol and swimming. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that almost a third of all drownings were related to blood alcohol levels of 0.10% or higher.
“If you're feeling full, tired, nauseous, agitated, or otherwise not well, then it's time to stop drinking,” Glassman said. “No need to finish your drink. Go someplace safe, get there safe, and ‘chill.'”
What This Means For You
If you plan to enjoy alcohol during summer activities, especially in hot weather, prioritize eating and staying hydrated to avoid dehydration and fatigue. Remember, excessive drinking at any time of day can lead to negative health outcomes and poor decision making, so consume alcohol responsibly.
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