Hangovers are nature’s way of patting us on the back for all the stupid shit we did the night before. A wicked headache, the inability to look at bright lights, and a desire to shovel greasy food into our mouths are the signs of a job well done after consuming enough liquor to kill a bull elephant. But how much of your life will you spend nursing a hangover?

As always, our old friend science has an answer.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, a cancer outreach, education, and support group in the United Kingdom, you’ll spend a year of your life being hungover. A whole freaking year.

One in 14 people have more than 3,000 hangovers in their lifetime, said the the charity, who came up with this startling figure by multiplying the average amount of time people spend hungover each month with average life expectancy. The group released this study to promote their “Go Sober for October” campaign:

“Hangovers are a waste of time, causing people to miss out on everything from romance to a dream job,” said Macmillan’s spokeswoman Hannah Redmond. “That’s why we’re asking people to abstain for October.”

So here’s the million dollar question: would you rather get normal hangovers or spend an entire year of your life hungover and never get them again?

[via Mirror]