The holidays are a time when a lot of us show our love through food. From grandma’s loaded mashed potatoes, to dad’s delicious desserts, these comfort foods evoke nostalgic feelings. Unfortunately, many of these traditional holiday favorites are packed with processed ingredients no one can pronounce and can do more harm than good.
Olivia Wagner MS, RDN, LDN partnered together with Simple Mills to provide 8 simple steps to feeling great after the holiday season…
This holiday season, Simple Mills and myself have offered some of our favorite health and wellness hacks to ensure you feel great! From mindfulness tips, my top recommendations, gut healing bone broth recipes, better for you Christmas cookie ideas and healthy baking swaps, we hope this holiday season has been your most successful yet. However, there’s always a need for some self-care after a busy holiday season, so we’re sharing our tips below.
#1 Shift Your Mindset
If you chose to indulge over the holidays, that’s okay! Sometimes, eating something we normally don’t can leave us feeling guilty, instead, be gentle with yourself. Trust your body will recover and allow yourself to let go of the negative vibes. You, and your body, will bounce back much more quickly if you can cut yourself some slack.
#2 Nurture Yourself
Set aside time for self-care. Consider creating a morning or evening ritual (or both) that allows you to decompress and reconnect with yourself. Some of our favorites include meditation, journaling or a gratitude practice. Anything that helps you feel grounded!
#3 Enhance Your Water
Feeling bloated from all those holiday meals? Start your day with a warm mug of lemon water. Water will help flush out any excess sodium and the fresh lemon juice will alkalize your body. If you don’t like the taste of lemon try peppermint tea, green tea, fennel tea or ginger. All of these herbs will help soothe your digestive system.
#4 Eat Your Veggies
If you found yourself spending too much time at the dessert table during the holidays, try incorporating sweet vegetables like roasted carrots, sweet potatoes and sauteed onions. These vegetables can help curb any sweet tooth cravings that may be lingering. Also, be sure to eat lots of green vegetables like spinach, kale and collard greens. These nutrient dense vegetables are high in vitamins, mineral and fiber and will help keep you satiated until your next meal.
#5 Sweat It Out
Busy schedule? Yeah, us too. Time to jump back into the gym! Start off slow with some light stretching or grab your holiday houseguests for an afternoon yoga session. If you can, hit the sauna and sweat out those toxins. If your gym offers an infrared sauna, even better! Infrared light allows you to sweat at a lower temperature, while still penetrating deep within your skin to remove any toxins that may be leftover from the holidays.
#6 Listen to Your Body
Although we encourage you to work out and get moving again, listen to your body. If you are only feeling 20 minutes of yoga instead of a 60 minute full out hot yoga class, then do that. Sunset walk instead an early sunrise run? Go for it! Whatever type of movement sounds good to you, do it. If you enjoy the activity then you are more likely to continue it!
#7 Smell all the Smells
Essential oils have a lot of healing power behind their scents. Peppermint oil is incredibly soothing, lavender is relaxing and lemongrass eases inflammation. Pick your favorite scent and rub some on your temples and wrists and enjoy the scent of essential oils all day long. Can’t beat the holiday bloat? Try rubbing some peppermint oil on your stomach to help with inflammation. You can also use geranium or frankincense.
#8 Savor the Season
The holidays only come around once a year, so enjoy every moment! Whether it’s walking around the neighborhood to enjoy a fresh snowfall or hitting the local park for some sledding, savor the winter season with family and friends.
The more we are able to care for our whole selves – body, mind, and spirit – the more fully we can enjoy the holidays.
