Enjoy Nightlife by Living Well: Part 1

Its Friday Night, your hair is done, you're ready to wear that hot new outfit you've been dying to flaunt. And on top of all that you just got paid. The time is set for you to go out with your boys, or call up your BFF for a night out on the town. Enjoying nightlife is an opportunity to dance, meet new friends, network, even find romance. While going out can be an experience of a lifetime, it is not devoid of risks to our well being. Read this two-part series to sort out these risks and get the most out of your late night carousing.


Preparation



With all things, preparation is key to success. The same goes for clubbing and bar hopping. It comes natural to look after our appearance with great detail before we go out. Ladies make sure to have a fresh manicure and pedicure, a trip to the hair salon, new outfit on deck, accessories, make-up done, etc. Gents make a trip to their barber, have shoes shined, well pressed shirt, long showers, and spray a good dousing of their favorite cologne before they touch the road. Great effort is made to take care of the "outside" and often we neglect our bodies. We in effect punish them in the name of a good time. There are some simple and easy things we can do in addition to our grooming regimen to ensure a balance of wellness and enjoyment.
Nathalie Ali



Exercise

Photo taken by Kelly Cree

Exercise can make a big difference in our reviling. The good thing is that even a quick 20 to 30 minute work out hours before we hit the streets can instantly improve your physique and posture, especially for men. Consistent exercise will provide the best results, but a short work out before the party starts gets the blood flowing, lifts our spirits and gives a general sense of well being and energy.


Stretch


If dancing is included in your nightlife experience stretching can be of benefit. Not only will you be more limber so you can dance better, you won't have to suffer the muscle soreness that too often accompanies a night of "going too hard" on the dance floor. Most importantly, warm-up before starting by taking a brisk walk, or running in place for about 5 mins. Safely stretch arms and shoulders, legs and hips, chest and back, with slow and relaxing stretches. Hold each stretch 10 - 20 seconds until you feel adequate tension and release. The benefits of a good stretch in advance of dancing are well worth the effort.

Picture taken by Gary 'Yung Doc' Carpenter

Drinking

Photo taken by Jorge Gobbi

It is unreasonable to say avoid alcohol if your going out. In this day in age of "Say Ahhh!" and "bottle-popping," alcohol consumption is on the rise. Therefore, we must prime our stomachs to avoid a terrible hangover, or an embarrassing mess on our clothes with a hasty exit from our venue of choice to soon follow. Have a relatively large high-protein and fatty meal. This is probably the only instance you will ever see me approve of such a meal so take advantage. Alcohol is notorious for depleting our bodies nutrients and a proteinacious (protein rich) meal will help us avoid a deficit. A large meal also helps dilute the liquor in our stomach to decrease the irritation of the stomach lining, i.e. no wearing your lunch or dinner. This is not an excuse to pig out regularly as we should be mindful of our health at all times. A multivitamin or Vitamin B complex with Vitamin C supplement will also help tame alcohols effects on our bodies the next day. One pill before and and after we drink should be protective enough to keep you dancing into the morning.

Photo taken by Peacock Modern

Photo taken by Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL)

Come back later this week to read more about safe drinking, sexual wellness, sanitation, drug-use, and general safety in the party. You will definitely get more out of the party by adhering to this advice and reading Part 2 of Enjoying Nightlife by Living Well.

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