T’was the season of rich indulgent foods and alcohol has been flowing aplenty. You’re more than likely feeling wholly content and satisfied (if not a little bit guilty) about your festive indulgences. While filling up on delicious festive treats is a mandatory Christmas activity, it is also something that you should be mindful of, and looking to rebalance now that the festivities are slowing down. In these days following Christmas, it is the perfect time to start thinking about how to cleanse your body and expel the additional toxins you have been accumulating.
I am wary that people are still in holiday mode, and don’t want to be overwhelmed with strict dietary rules and regulations. Therefore, in this blog, I’m only offering a couple of small tips - which can be easily incorporated into a normal, relaxed routine - to start getting you back on track with finding your healthy balance.
Rehydrate, Rehydrate, Rehydrate
Without realising it, your Christmas indulgences will have left you dehydrated. Your increased consumption of foods high in sodium and increased alcohol intake will have left your water levels lower than average. This is why it is so important to make sure you are drinking water regularly post-Christmas so to rehydrate your cells and facilitate your natural detoxifying process in your liver and kidneys. Why not start your morning by drinking a glass of water with a little lemon to make sure you are starting the day off right? This is a fantastic detoxifier and your body will thank you for it! Matcha green tea and other herbal tea favourites are also supposed to be great for flushing out your liver and helping you to cleanse after a boozy Christmas.
Don’t Neglect Your Greens
Whether or not you have an established, healthy and balanced food plan, it’s near impossible to stick to it around the festive period. Even if you are watching what you eat, out of tradition, there tends to be an abundance of goldeny-brown foods being served and a critical reduction in the number of greens on offer (bar the gorgeous Christmas Brussels). That is why when you are trying to detoxify and regain your balance, you should turn to green. Leafy greens are a great place to start. Kale and Spinach are both alkaline veggies that help to detoxify the body by delivering high amounts of antioxidants to the body, replenishing what you’ve lost over an indulgent period. I would also advise incorporating some avocado into your diet following your festive feasts. Not only is it packed with Vitamin E, it is nature’s best source of glutathione, an antioxidant that boosts liver detoxification whilst also protecting your cells.
Exercise
Although the prospect of getting back up and active after a relaxing and cosy Christmas seems entirely unappealing, it is one of the best things you can do to detox after a Christmas binge. When we exercise, our heart rate and breathing rate increases, and as a result, freshly oxygenated blood pumps quickly around our body and we are able to eliminate toxic waste much more efficiently. We also sweat more, and this removes other toxins in our body through the skin. So, while you may not feel like it, try and change your mind set towards getting back into exercise. Starting with a nice fresh walk, and then graduating to something a little more strenuous, get yourself out there and cleanse yourself from the inside out – you never regret exercise once it’s done!
For a Little Extra Help… Nutritional Therapist in Manchester
If you are looking for a helping hand trying to regain your balance and restore your body to its healthiest capacity, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch today. I offer a free consultation call every week where we can discuss your nutritional needs and tips on how to bounce back after an indulgent Christmas. I look forward to hearing from you!