This is how you survive King's Day after King's Night

The day when orange suddenly becomes a fashion statement (ew), your best friends seem to be partying in three different cities, and your phone beeps an average of 43 times an hour with ‘where are you?’: King's Day. But before that happens, there's first King's Night. Because while we put on our big smile on April 26 during the day (that's why it's a day earlier than normal this year) we went all out with vodka-redbull the night before. King's Night is all about too many drinks, too loud music, and too many people you actually only know from Instagram, but who now spontaneously want to dance with you. Fun, for sure. But it's also the fastest route to a banging hangover. So: how do you survive King's Day after King's Night? I'm going to help you.

King's Night: this is how it goes

It all starts a day in advance: King's Night is a bit like New Year's Eve, but instead of fireworks and cava, it's red-white-blue painted people and beer. A lot of beer. You meet up with a way too large group, pretend you're all going to the same party, but end up scattered all over the city after an hour. You're standing somewhere in a way too crowded pub, with a lukewarm beer in your hand, while the music is just a bit too loud to talk normally. But you do it for the tradition.

People are in the mood, the atmosphere is festive, and the idea that you have the next day off makes it all even more fun. Or well, ‘off’... King's Day is already knocking on the door the next morning. And yes, we have to keep going.

What you need to do during King's Night to prepare for the next day

Trust me: your future self will thank you if you take care of these five simple things before you go knock-out on Friday night.

• Drink water – In between the beers. Hydration is your best friend.
• Put paracetamol on your nightstand – Because tomorrow morning you really won't feel like looking for that.
• Lay out your outfit for King's Day in advance – If it's already laid out, you can't skip it. And choosing a hungover outfit? Not a good option. Here you will find the coolest fits from vogue.
• Prepare a snack for when you get home – What’s better than coming home drunk and being stared at by something delicious that your sober self has prepared for you? This is the best drunk snack against a hangover.

This is what you do when you get home from King's Night

You come home. Your makeup is not make-upping anymore (this is a good setting spray) and your hair... let's not even go there. You want to dive straight into bed, but you still have to do five things first, and then you can sleep.

• Clean your face – No matter how tired you are, your pores will thank you tomorrow.
• Eat your self-made snack – Check. We already laid that out.
• Set your alarm (and schedule snooze) – Because you have a plan tomorrow. And it starts early. How annoying would it be if you miss that?
• Drink water – Drink some water when you get home.
• Throw everything in the wash – Come on, that outfit in the wash. Then you won't have to wake up tomorrow with the smell of beer as your first stimulus.

This is what you do in the morning

Good morning. Or well... it doesn't quite feel like that yet. Your head is pounding and you can still hear the Dutch sing-alongs from last night echoing in your brain. But no time to continue to feel hungover. Here is your King's Day morning routine, so you can get right back to it.

• Drink large glasses of water. At least two.
• Take that paracetamol you so cleverly laid out.
• Shower. Preferably start cold, end warm. You feel reborn.
• Make an egg for yourself and take a banana with you for the road. This is the best and worst thing you can eat with a hangover.
• Sunglasses on. Not only stylish but also necessary.
• And if you want to do it right: apply sunscreen, wear comfy shoes, and throw a power bank in your bag. You're going to need it.

This is what you do on King's Day to survive it

You've made it to the day itself - applause for you.

• Don't plan too much – Everyone wants to be everywhere at the same time, but you stick to one or two highlights.
• Keep eating and drinking – And we don't just mean Aperol. Alternate alcohol with water and eat something with a bit of fat regularly. Fries and a cheese soufflé sandwich are a legitimate meal today.
• Take a break – Occasionally find a quiet corner, relax for a bit, recharge. You're not a Duracell bunny.
• Take an Extra Joss or a Dextro for energy – Is your energy gone but are you wearing your dancing shoes? Check. Take a sugar boost.

This is what you definitely shouldn't do

Seriously, don't do it: plan something for the Sunday after King's Day. Cancel that terrace with your girlfriends. Move that family lunch. Cancel that sports class. Sunday is really your rest day. No wonder King's Day was celebrated a day earlier this year, right? Just lie on the couch, watch your stories back that you accidentally posted one more time, and promise yourself that you won't get that drunk next year - spoiler: you will. Order your favorite food, put on your favorite movie, and enjoy your day of doing nothing.