Yep, the holidays are over. Done and gone. But that doesn’t mean they haven’t left their mark.
Are you experiencing any signs of the classic post-holiday funk? Noticing a few extra pounds? Feeling a general sluggishness? Does your gait seem slow and heavy?
This general malaise inspires these common New Year’s resolutions:
- Get into shape
- Eat better
- Jump start the year with a major cleanse
We’re on board with numbers 1 and 2, but undergo a major cleanse in January? No way!
This is a great time for reflection, goal setting and new promises, but it is a horrid time for a drastic cleanse. The harshness of winter naturally depletes your body. A traditional cleanse—especially one that involves supplements or harsh dietary constraints—can have adverse, long-term consequences. For example, skipping meals can deplete your metaphoric “metabolic fire.” Supplements can stress an already suppressed digestive system.
So how do you safely “detoxify” from holiday season indulgences? Here are three gentle yet effective practices to enable your body to cleanse itself.
1. Sip warm water.
Almost nothing is more effective at helping your body recalibrate than simply sipping warm water throughout the day. It is easy to do. It is inexpensive. It works. Plus, having a warm mug by your side will make you think twice before reaching for an iced soft drink, coffee or evening glass of wine.
Warm water helps you overcome that post-holiday sluggishness by stimulating your digestion and hydrating your tissues. For a healthy cleanse, it is not necessary (or even recommended for that matter) to drink a large quantity of water at one time. Instead, just take a few sips of your warm water every 10 minutes or so.
Within a few short days, you will begin to feel the results. The only challenge here is keeping the water warm on these cold winter days.
2. Eat soup for dinner.
Like most other people, you probably feel the past month or so has been laden with heavy foods. Give your digestion a safe break! A light but warming evening meal is a perfect remedy. Warmth balances the winter chill, while a less heavy meal enables your digestive system to recalibrate. Bonus: Eating less in the evening has long been known as a best practice for losing weight safely.
A homemade soup is best. It is an easy meal to fix. Canned soups contain lots of additives and preservatives that won’t aid your “healthy living” resolutions. Looking to vegetarian options will also increase the “cleansing” aspect. Meat is heavy and difficult to digest. It moves slowly in your system.
With these tips in mind, try preparing a big pot of soup (like butternut squash) over the weekend. Freeze a number of individual portions. This will keep you on track and away from the drive-thru when evening activities or late work hours weaken your resolve.
3. Regain your routine.
Running from office party to family gatherings takes its toll on your system. With 2015 upon us, it’s time to get back to the basics:
- Early to bed. During the cold, dark winter months, our bodies are naturally inclined to sleep a bit more. Listen up! Your body could be telling you it needs more sleep.
- Three meals a day at approximately the same time each day. Take control of your eating habits starting with when you eat. Early in the morning, a warm breakfast of baked apples or steel cut oats is a healthy way to begin each day. As noontime approaches, choose the most wholesome, warm meal available. Ideally this is the time of day you consume your most calories. And, as mentioned above, try warm soup for an early dinner. Getting into a three-meal routine (with no snacking) will liberate your body from the chaos of seasonal eating.
- Consistent exercise. A big part of the holiday trap is missing your yoga class or evening exercise ritual. With a new beginning upon us, it’s time to form (or re-form) the habit of scheduling time for daily movement. Once it is part of your routine, it is easy to maintain. Remember, excessive exercise is never recommended—especially during winter. Start slowly. Grow into your goals. Maybe try something new and nourishing—beginner yoga classes are regularly offered this time of year.
That is it. These are three simple, easy and safe ways to enable your body to get back into shape in 2015, helping you “cleanse” along the way and establish great life-long practices. Plus, don’t feel you have to do all three options for wonderful results. Even doing just one—consistently—will help.
What could be a better New Year’s resolution than that?
