The all-night pub crawl
Feeling sluggish? An energy drink won't help; alcohol neutralises almost all of its effects, say researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo in Brazil.

And rest your ears when possible. High-decibel music may cause you to drink more beer and drink it faster than when the sounds are played at lower decibel levels, according to a 2006 study by the Université de Bretagne-Sud in France.

The four-hour concert, standing room only
If you feel faint, promote bloodflow and ward off light-headedness with a tip from the journal Circulation: as you're standing, cross one thigh over the other and then tense your leg, abdominal and bum muscles for at least 30 seconds. And while you're at it, encourage hot women standing nearby to do the same.

The lavish seven-course meal
Don't skip lunch that day. "Fasting will just make you want to stuff yourself later," says Ed "Cookie" Jarvis, a champion competitive eater. So eat normally before the event. Then, once you sit down for the big meal, drink water throughout. Two 250-millilitre glasses of water during dinner can boost your metabolism by 30 per cent, according to a small study by researchers at the Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center in Germany.

And watch your alcohol intake. If you drink about 400ml of wine with your meal, you may eat 22 per cent more than you otherwise would have, according to a study in Physiology & Behaviour.

The eight-hour, no-stop road trip
Train your midsection. "Long rides can wear down your stability; that's why you feel like you're falling our of your seat," says Indy 500 champ Sam Hornish Jr. "The stronger your core, the less fatigue you'll feel."

In the weeks before you leave, do Russian twists: lie faceup with your upper back on a Swiss ball, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Holding a medicine ball, extend your arms towards the ceiling and then twist your body side to the side until your arms are parallel to the floor. Aim for 8-10 repetitions. Repeat on the opposite side.

The long relationship "talk"
Start with coffee or tea; it's endearing. And better yet, a recent study found that people judged others as more generous and caring if they held a warm beverage, and less so if they held a cold one. She wants reassurance, so use the word "remember" often. "Acknowledgement of your shared memory will show that you're invested," says Dr Jefferey Bernstein, author of Why Can't You Read My Mind?

The long airport stopover
"Even if you're not a member, the $50 airport lounge visitor's pass is worth it," says Doug Stallings, senior editor at travel guide experts Fodor's.

And if you're stuck because of a delay, airline staff may be more willing to hear you there, so be pleasant and patient. If the delay is longer than a certain number of hours, call the airline. Some offer free upgrades or seats with other carriers.