You’re probably feeling a little bloated and full of salt and sugar after the holidays—if this is the case, you’re not alone. Many of us eat too much, and we often eat foods that we know are bad for us during the holiday season. If you’re trying to shake that post-holiday energy slump, consider the following strategies for getting back on track with your health and habits.
Reduce
Cut back on your sugar and salt consumption. This is especially good if you’re feeling bloated. You can cut out all the refined carbs, salts, and sugars from your diet for at least three days and see how you feel then. This will help you get back on track with your healthy living.
Eat Your Veggies
Eat lots of vegetables. If you can, try to eat 7-12 servings of fruits and vegetables a day after the holidays are over. Be sure that you buy a large variety of fruits and vegetables for this one. You can even try to go vegetarian for a specified period of time, or give a try to going meatless one day a week. Fruits and veggies are so good for you!
Give Yourself Time
Don’t go too quickly at the gym. The temptation is there—you probably want to jump back into the gym with everything you have. But you need to take it easy at first and wait to warm up for a few days or so. Don’t jump right back in at the same speed you were going before the holidays. Give yourself plenty of time to warm up to the old pace, and be gentle with yourself as you start working out or exercising again.
Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of water. This is an easy one, but many post-holiday recovery programs forget this important aspect of detoxing. According to a Gilbert DUI attorney, the holiday season is usually accompanied by increased alcohol consumption, which severely dehydrates the body. The dreaded day-after hangover is symptomatic of a dangerously dehydrated body, so upping your water intake should be a top priority if your holidays involved heavy drinking. Water is a natural detox for so many, and it works to flush out toxins and helps your body eliminate waste. Try to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily, and be sure that you carry a little bottle with you if you need to. One rule of thumb about how much you need is to divide your body weight in half, and drink that many ounces per day. This will ensure that you get the proper detox going for yourself.
As you can see, there are many ways to detox—the above are just a few. Maintaining healthy habits, regular exercise, and staying hydrated are key to starting this year fresh and full of energy.
