DETOXING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS 9 TIPS TO REFRESH YOUR BODY AND MIND

15 January 2024
Amina Sabjee

DETOXING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS: 9 TIPS TO REFRESH YOUR BODY AND MIND

Singing in the tune of Mambo Number 5’s chorus: “A little bit of Simba crisps in my life, a little bit of fizzy drinks by my side, a little bit of ice cream is all I need, A little bit of pudding is what I see..”

Let’s be honest with ourselves: We all overindulge a little when we are on holiday, and coming back from the festive season has undoubtedly left me feeling like I have returned from a gastronomic adventure.

After all that family time and get-togethers with friends and loved ones, I have consumed my fair share of pudding and chocolate that I usually would not indulge in otherwise, and my body could use the detox.

Fear not; I have your back with these 9 detox tips after a splurge.

9 TIPS TO REFRESH YOUR BODY AND MIND

1. Be kind to yourself.

- First, don't punish yourself for those joyful moments shared with your family and friends. - Your body needs time to recover and good, wholesome, nourishing food to rebuild itself, so do not skip meals or overdo it at an exercise boot camp.

2. Hydrate.

- Without realising it, all the activities you partook in over the holidays may have left you a bit parched, tired, and weak. Ensure you rehydrate and drink plenty of water to help flush out the toxins to support your kidneys.

3. Exercise.

- Dust out those workout shoes and get back into your exercise routine if you have stopped, or now is a great time to start those stretches and go for that morning run you've been putting off for the past year. Sweating out those toxins with a good and fun Zumba session is a great idea. Dance like no one is watching!

4. Pantry cleanse.

- Go through your grocery cupboard and cleanse it of the highly processed foods that may tempt you to fall back into unhealthy habits. Instead, replace these processed foods with healthier snacks and fruit when that snack attack creeps up on you.

5. Dip your toes into intermittent fasting.

- Intermittent fasting is a great way to reset your body and shed some of the extra kilograms you can feel weighing you down. Start slow, with a 12-hour fast for a few days, and depending on how you feel, you may even choose to try out a 16-hour fast. ( e.g. only eating between 8am and 6pm)

6. Green tea in moderation.

- Green tea is known for aiding weight loss, regulating blood sugar, disease prevention, and overall aid in liver function. A refreshing cup of green tea every 2nd or 3rd day can surprisingly make you feel refreshed.

7. Sweet dreams with adequate sleep.

- You may not realise how little sleep you may have had, and your body and mind need enough sleep for your physical and mental health. Go to bed at the same time every night and attempt to awaken at the same time every morning to get back into a healthy routine, giving yourself between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. Sleep is like a mini vacation for your body every night!

8. Culinary detox with garlic and herbs.

- Garlic activates liver enzymes and helps flush out toxins. Herbs and roots such as Milk Thistle, Turmeric and Moringa not only add flavour but also assist in bringing balance to your body.

9. Green leafy veg.

- Giant leafy green salads eliminate environmental toxins and contribute to a well-functioning digestive system. Whether consumed as part of a meal or blended into a smoothie, one thing is guaranteed, a healthier gut.

There you have it – nine friendly tips to help you detox after the holiday festivities. Remember, it’s all about progress, not perfection. Embrace the journey, treat yourself kindly, and let the detox adventure begin!

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult with a healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

References

Agyeman, V. (2022, August 15). 10 Health Benefits of Moringa, According to Nutritionists. Retrieved from Good house keeping:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a40758441/moringa-health-benefits/

Gracia, Z. (2022, April 3). Retrieved from Better Me:
https://betterme.world/articles/after-holiday-detox/

Harrington, K. (2021). 8 Ways To Detox Your Body After Holiday Imbibing. Retrieved from Healthy Goods:
https://www.healthygoods.com/blogs/news/detoxing-your-body-after-holiday-imbibing

How much sleep is enough. (2022, March 24). Retrieved from NHLBI:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/how-much-sleep

Jones, J. (2023, May 31). Health Line. Retrieved from:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-benefits-of-green-tea-extract