How to tell if you're DRINKING TOO MUCH

Because a sore head isn't the only way your body might tell you to ease off

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The days are getting warmer, the evenings brighter, and with long weekends just around the corner, many of us will be planning on relaxing with friends, family - and a few 'cheeky' drinks. But even if you think you're in control of your alcohol consumption and rarely suffer the next day, your body might be giving you some warning signs that you're having too much. But do you know what to look out for? Luckily, our experts do...

Broken sleep

If you wake at night (especially between 2am and 3am) it could be due to alcohol. Alcohol suppresses REM, the restorative part of the sleep cycle, explains sobriety and 'grey area' drinking coach Sarah Rusbatch (sarahrusbatch.com). 'It makes you to move from deep sedation to fragmented sleep, leaving you tired and groggy. Many women attribute fatigue to busy lives or age, without realising alcohol is the cause.'

Just one drink is enough to cause problems and poor sleep can lead to sugar cravings and lower mood.

* EASE IT Hydrate with water before bed. Adding a pinch of sea salt to a glass of water helps to replace lost electrolytes.

Unusually bad hangovers