We’ve all been there – we tell ourselves we’re going to “take it easy” and swear we’re only going to have a few drinks this time. Yet here we are again – too hungover to function with an alarm waking us up bright and early for a shift. If Australia Day has left you feeling a bit rusty ahead of a long shift, here’s how to cope.

Start Your Day With Hydralytes

Coffee might seem like the most inviting choice when you’re so effin’ tired, but avoid it at all costs. You’re already dehydrated and this will only make you feel a whole lot worse.

Instead, get yo ass to the chemist and pick up some Hydralytes – they’ll hydrate you faster then the method of sculling a few litres of water until you feel sick. But keep in mind, water will help a lot so keep up that drinking. If you can’t get your hands on Hydralytes, Powerade/Gatorade is a good alternative.

Get Yo Shit Together

This means putting in more effort than you usually would so you can at least appear like a fully-functioning adult who didn’t insist on drinking ciders until 3am.

We hear you – putting in effort when you’re hungover is the worst kind of hell imaginable. But you’ll have to get your sorry self out of bed at the usual time, wake yourself up with a cold shower and scrub until you no longer smell of alcohol.

If you actually put effort into making sure your uniform and face look presentable, you might be able to slip by without anyone noticing the horrible state you’re in.

Avoid Greasy Foods (Sorry)

We know that’s not what you want to hear. You want to be able to pick up that bacon and egg roll on the way to work or stop by Maccas in your lunch break.

Your body might be craving it, but it’ll only make you feel worse. Best to stick to plain, boring food options if you want your stomach to survive the eight hours of hell that awaits you.

Fly Under The Radar

Instead of seeming like the worst employee ever, your hangover might even put you in the good books. Get stuck into some of the boring tasks that everyone avoids – clean up the back room, stack the shelves – do anything you can to avoid talking to customers (or colleagues if you’re feeling seriously not in the mood).

Strategically Pass Customers On To Your Non-hungover Work Friends

If customers are approaching you when you’re on the verge of throwing up, time to act like you’re a clueless trainee and point them in the direction of someone else. This may only work if you have friends at work who have your back.

You’ll probably want to avoid sending them anywhere in the boss’s direction, unless you want him/her to find out what a hungover mess you are. Once you’ve successfully passed the responsibility onto someone else, you’re free to head to the bathroom for a quick nap.

(Lead image: Trainwreck/Apatow Productions)