5 questions to ask yourself before the afters

After parties come hand in hand with raves. For some, they can be even more enjoyable than the club experience. From full-on house parties, to just a handful of mates jamming on the sofa til sunrise, the afters can be a lot of fun.

But there is always a risk that a carry on can extend way beyond the break of dawn and into the next day. And the longer you’re awake and partying, the bigger the impact on your health. So, before you hit the afters, here are some key questions to ask yourself…

WILL THIS HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON ME?
Sometimes you know you’re entering a situation that may not be the most positive. Whether that’s because of the people attending, the way you’re already feeling, or any number of other variables. Stay conscious of this and consider if the afters is really worth it.

HOW WILL I FEEL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS?
If you’ve already had a solid night of it, getting stuck into booze and whatever else, then giving your body more toxins to contend with is going to have negative consequences. Couple that with the lack of sleep, and you’ll be in a world of pain on the other side if you’re not careful.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MY HEALTH?
The afters can be a debauched affair: this is pretty much guaranteed. But you can still take time to reduce the impact on your health. Can you find somewhere to have a short nap? Can you buy some water en route? These small things can help a lot.

WHAT’S MY ESCAPE PLAN?
Set yourself with an escape plan. That way, if you’re not into it or start feeling unwell or overwhelmed, you can slip away easily. It’s important to have a strong personal boundary with after parties, otherwise you can get too swept up in it all.

IS THIS ACTUALLY A GOOD IDEA?
Sometimes you can get caught up in the energy of your night out and not want it to end. In those instances, there’s potential to make bad decisions and chase the party. So, before you embark on a crack on, stop to check in with yourself and consider whether it really is a good idea.