It happens to the best of us: We get caught up in the over-anxious, over-indulgent, over-stimulated, overworked and under-slept patterns of the season. We end up eating and drinking things that don’t agree with our bodies, staying out too late and being generally overwhelmed by social and financial forces. By the time the New Year arrives we’re vowing to overhaul our ways and commit to unrealistic standards — and so the pendulum swings.
This year, instead of promising to rebalance after January 1, vow to detox in the thick of it with these simple strategies for staying on track and maintaining a healthy regimen all season long.
DRINK WATER
During the holidays, we end up enjoying more alcoholic beverages than at any other time of the year. These drinks add up. Alcoholic drinks tend to be high in calories, dehydrating and energy zapping, and many of the alternatives we choose when avoiding alcohol actually have the same effect. Rather than reaching for a soda, bottled drink or even flavored sparkling water, reach for water. Consuming more water is a great way to stay hydrated (which makes it easier to gauge your appetite) and helps you sleep better which helps you feel better in general.
EAT YOUR GREENS
Hopefully, it goes without saying that by fortifying your everyday meals with more green veggies, you’re doing great things for your health and well-being. During this super-social season, getting your greens is especially important. Whether that means adding greens to dinner on nights you’re home, packing a salad for lunch or even keeping a bag of great greens in your fridge at work so you can munch on them to supplement unexpected meals out, make sure you’re getting them Every. Single. Day.
BE CULTURED
As in eating more live cultures and foods that contain beneficial bacteria that help our bodies boost immunity, improve digestion, maintain hormone balance and more. Kefir, miso, non-dairy yogurt, kimchi and other cultured or fermented vegetables and even kombucha all contain live active cultures. Work them into your daily meals to boost your gut health.
MAINTAIN YOUR ROUTINE
Despite the fact late-night parties and decadent holiday spreads lead us to skip meals, this is not the time to break your routine, especially your breakfast regimen. On days you’re feeling less hungry and in need of a nutrient boost beyond plain old toast, whip up a rainbow-inspired smoothie to start your day. Packed with minerals, nutrients and energizing fruits and vegetables, this is a fresh way to get going.
COMMIT TO SELF-CARE
Being healthy isn’t just about eating well and exercising, it’s also about taking the time to wind down, be still and be good to your body. Taking a bath with healing, detoxifying salt is a great ritual to help make space and soothe your body and soul in the process. In case you didn’t you know, homemade bath salts are ridiculously easy to make.
