A Sensible Man’s Guide to Alcohol Over the Holidays

The holidays are coming – and so is the wine, whiskey, and champagne. If you’re a man in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you might still think like a 25-year-old who can knock back drinks and wake up full of energy. Most of us have tried that in recent years and found it doesn’t end well. Your body isn’t the same. Your skin isn’t the same. And alcohol hits differently now. Drinking without a plan can lead to pounding headaches, dull skin, and dark moods. So before you raise your glass, here’s a practical refresher to enjoy the festive season and still feel human the next morning.

What Is Alcohol and How Does It Affect the Body?

Alcohol (ethanol) is made when yeast ferments sugars from grains, fruits, or vegetables. It’s the active ingredient that changes how we think, feel, and behave. Once you drink, it’s quickly absorbed into your bloodstream and travels to your brain, liver, and nervous system, affecting almost every organ. While you’re enjoying that buzz, your liver is working hard to break alcohol down — but it can only process about one standard drink per hour. Anything more stays in your bloodstream, straining your organs.

Short-term, this means headaches, exhaustion, and hangovers. Long-term, alcohol increases inflammation, heart and stroke risk, and disrupts sleep, energy, and testosterone.

What Happens As We Age?

In your 40s and 50s, your metabolism slows and body water decreases – meaning alcohol hits harder and lingers longer. Sleep becomes lighter, recovery slower, and hangovers last for days. Add in blood pressure or cholesterol meds, and that “harmless” extra shot isn’t so harmless anymore.

The good news: moderation still lets you enjoy a toast. Stick to expert guidelines, and you can get through the season with a clear head.

Fix #1: Stick to The Recommended Daily Amount

According to US dietary guidelines and the CDC, adult males should limit alcohol to no more than two standard drinks on any day they choose to drink.  

A “standard drink” (in the U.S) contains about 0.6 fluid ounces, or 14 grams of pure alcohol. 

Rough equivalents:

• 12 oz (355 ml) regular beer (≈ 5 % ABV “alcohol by volume”)
  
• 5 oz (150 ml) wine (≈ 12 % ABV)
  
• 1.5 oz (45 ml) 80-proof spirits (≈ 40 % ABV)

Watch craft pours: an 8 % IPA is closer to 1.5–2 drinks in one glass.

Experts do not recommend banking the week’s quota for one binge. Five or more drinks in an evening is classified as binge drinking.

“Two drinks or less” is a ceiling, not a daily prescription.

Fix #2: Drink “Cleaner” Alcohol

If you’re going to drink, choose wisely.

Better bets:

• Clear spirits like vodka or tequila on ice with soda or citrus. Fewer congeners = lighter hangover.
• Dry wine = lower sugar; turn white wine into a spritzer with soda water to stretch the pour.
• Light beer = lagers or IPAs in the 2–4.5 % range.

Worth limiting:

• Dark liquors (bourbon, rum, brandy) – more congeners, tougher mornings.
• Sugar-heavy cocktails – often three shots plus syrup in one glass.
• Dessert wines/liqueurs – double hit of sugar and alcohol.

Fix #3: Respect Water Like It’s Medicine

Alternate every alcoholic drink with a full glass of water. Alcohol dehydrates by kicking your kidneys into overdrive; dehydration drives headaches and the “hit-by-a-bus” feeling.

• One drink = one glass of water.
• Before bed – drink two glasses of water.
• For bonus points, add electrolytes, such as coconut water or hydration tabs. This will help banish the hangover in a more natural way than a pre-bed painkiller.

Fix #4: Look After Your Skin While You Sip

You might not see it after one night, but over time, alcohol affects how you look and feel. 

• Skin: Dehydration is a common side effect of alcohol consumption. It dulls your complexion, emphasises wrinkles, and triggers redness.
• Hair: Thirsty hair follicles can become weak and lead to hair shedding.
• Face: Puffiness, broken capillaries, and that “tired” look are highly likely after a few nights of drinking.
• And finally, your mood: alcohol disrupts serotonin and sleep, leading to irritability, fatigue, and anxiety, which over the holidays can mean more arguments with relatives and friends. 

If you want to look and feel younger, drinking less is one of the most effective anti-aging strategies you can adopt – full stop. 

But in addition, a simple pre-bed skincare routine can help you get ahead. Particle’s Face Wash clears sweat and debris. A slick of Particle Face Cream after cleansing will keep your skin hydrated while your liver detoxes from within. A once-a-week Face Mask will deeply cleanse your follicles, and Particle’s revolutionary Gummies can help boost skin and hair from the inside. The better you look, the better you’ll feel, which translates to a happier you throughout the holiday season. 

The Bottom Line: 

With a few smart tweaks, you can make it through the party season feeling sharp, social, and hangover-free. Follow the guidelines, pace yourself, and remember: a man like you doesn’t need alcohol to own the room — you already bring the presence, power, and poise. A drink? That’s just the cherry on top.