Nobody is  suggesting that you don't drink at all this festive season. ( Although there are lots of benefits e.g. health and financial to remaining sober) Making sure that you're aware of just how much you're drinking and the impact this has on your body will always be a good idea.

Reducing the amount you consume is one of the best things you can do for your body both physically and mentally Whilst your social calendar might have a boost throughout December, your liver shouldn't have to face the consequences of overindulgence.

After all, no one wants to end up with a sore head on Christmas or Boxing Day or starting the new year unable to remember what happened last night because of the amount you consumed!

Think about the season as a whole

According to Drinkaware  almost two thirds (61%) of drinkers in the UK overindulge over the festive season more than they usually do, with one in five (18%) saying that they typically suffer more hangovers over the Christmas period.

Naturally, drinking a large amount all at once isn't a good idea because you increase your likeliness of both poisoning and  injury as well as doing something you might later regret. But binge-drinking isn't the only thing to avoid.

UK guidelines from the Chief Medical Officer state that, in order to minimise risks everyone is advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week. That's equal to six pints of 4% beer or six 175 ml glasses of wine across the seven days, with  booze free days built into your week.

But don't think that you can 'save up' your units for one big night. Heavily drinking on one or two days a week increases your likeliness of injury and long-term illness. If you're regularly reaching the 14 unit limit, spread your intake across several days to minimise your likeliness of related problems like cancer.

And remember that 14 units a week is a limit, not a goal!

Drink mindfully

This is all about being aware of your drinking, how you feel afterwards and deciding when or if you really want to drink.

There are lots of social occasions at which you might drink because you feel obligated, like the 33% of drinkers who feel pressured to do so at their work Christmas party. You might also not think about things mindlessly, pouring a glass of wine after work or letting someone refill your glass or buy another round. Take a second to think about if and why you really want that drink before indulging.

Reducing your intake can be as simple as forgoing a glass of wine with a meal or delaying your first drink. Things will always be harder to decide if you truly want to keep drinking once you've already started.

These days there are usually plenty of non alchoholic drinks available. No one has to know that you're not drinking if you don't want them to.

"The growing market of creative and non alcohlolic drinks has never been bigger," says Walters. "And venues are embracing the trend, so don't be afraid to ask what non alcoholic options they have behind the bar."

But also be wary about replacing every drink with fizzy or sugary soft drinks as they have little nutritional value and are also potentially harmful.