Holiday Recovery: Starting The New Year On The Right Foot

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

The holidays (at least for me) are always exciting. Besides finding pleasure in finding just the perfect gift and creating a unique way to wrap it, it’s more about the gathering of friends and family and lots of good food and good fun. Still all the excitement, anticipation and quick “climax” can leave many feeling “short changed”. Let’s face it the hype and prep are often so much more (glamorized) than the actual event.

And, even with some added time off from work, and/or regular obligations all the visiting, fun and frivolity can leave you feeling more drained than refreshed, and not too ready to embrace and embark on a new year.

But, catching up with yourself, note experts, “isn’t” impossible; it may just feel that way.

Step 1: Take Time To Recover: This is the beginning of your feel better plan so be sure to shift your focus from others to yourself and treating yourself with kindness and allowing your body to recuperate from the multitude of food and beverage.

· Start with detoxing with clear broths, lemon water and teas such as green tea, peppermint, ginger or ginger lemon to help alkalinize your body. Experts suggest that many of the foods we indulge in during the holidays produce acid and stress on your adrenals and immune and digestive systems. And, they suggest an extra boost of vitamin C to help you cleanse, especially if you’ve consumed ample amounts of alcohol.

· Fortify by replenishing your system with essential nutrients by balancing your diet. Eat heavily one day and lightly the next three and ensuring that your eat foods that support your digestive system and nourish your system. Start with a light breakfast and continue to replace electrolytes during the day with fruits and veggies, but be sure to not overcook. They are loaded with potassium and serve as a diuretic, and help relieve your of excess water you’ve retained during holiday feasting.

· Get up and go: Once you get out of bed, get a jump-start on the day. Start with gentle moving, stretching your body so that things can get moving. Experts suggest yoga, twists, and other exercises (such as walking) that move oxygen into your body and bolster digestion.

Step 2: Commit To Regrouping: Get focused on distressing and getting your emotions back on track, especially if you find family and friends getting on your nerves.

· Waste Away: Get rid of all fattening foods that may otherwise enhance your waistline and enjoy moderate portion of the rest. And, if you don’t want to waste food, consider freezing some for an occasional indulgence. And, when it comes to desserts, consider eating only the filling and not the crust. Plus, you may want to consider having a few friends over (especially those that didn’t host) to help you enjoy your leftovers.

· Take Note Of Stress Levels: Experts note that holiday time can be extremely stressful triggering emotional eating, and they suggest that the key to control is awareness. And the solution, to counter the cortisol released is exercise, which releases endorphins, natural anxiety relief that will often counter stress and cravings.

Additionally, you’ll want to avoid refined sugars and alcohol which can debilitate your ability to handle and deal with stress and to try, via broth, fruit juice, or a multivitamin to replenish minerals that help you stay cool, calm, and collected.

3. Re-Energize: Now is the perfect time to keep your energy and your metabolism high.

· Stimulate digestion via self-acupressure, especially by pressing a point midway between your navel and the base of your sternum, known as the midline. Note that there is also a point between the web of the first finger and your thumb that stimulates large intestine detox and enhances bowel movement.

· Take a deep breath after every meal. According to experts, deep breathing helps relax the abdomen and aids in digestions.

· Sit up straight. Believe it of not, slouching adds extra, yet un-necessary stress on your body whereas sitting or standing up straight helps your body function better. Plus, it allows you to breathe better and relax the diaphragm which allows the organs to function better.