That feeling of holiday limbo is in full swing, which makes it an ideal time to reflect on the recent indulgences and social festivities that might have led us astray from our normal routines. No, we’re not talking about New Year’s resolutions; but instead the gentle pivot back towards focusing on our own health and taking the steps to reset. This is all about reestablishing the connection with our well-being, an essential step that not only helps us recharge but in return also sets us up for our most radiant self in 2025. Take a look at what we’re doing below.
Listen to Your Body
Late last night we returned home from our holiday travel, which was about 10 days away from home, traveling to 4 different cities. While travel always takes it’s toll, when you add the dizzying social whirl of the holidays, you don’t come back feeling your best. Waking up this morning with the remnants of travel fatigue still lingering, I noticed I wasn’t really hungry until well into the afternoon. For me, this was a clear message from my body, that it was needing a break. In this case, it meant fasting for most of the day — not as a regimen or diet, but as a natural pause. Allowing my body this time to fast meant offering it a much-needed break from processing the heavy holiday meals and the sweet indulgences that aren’t part of my daily routine. Listening to what my body needed, not only felt right, but it also underscored the importance of tuning in to our physical needs after a period of exception and excess.
If you’re body isn’t telling you to take a break, instead pivot back towards mindful eating, where plants take center stage, supported by a cast of whole grains and lean proteins. Going back to your go-to meals, or maybe, experimenting with new recipes. Around this time of year goop releases their annual new year detox, filled with lots of recipes laid out for each day. We love to do this every year, and keep it bookmarked throughout the year as well. It’s a simple way to inspire and motivate us when we’re feeling depleted, especially after the holidays.
Detoxify
After listening to your body, give your system a much needed reset through through nourishing elixirs, like juices or tonics. Start your mornings with a nutrient-packed juice to detoxify and energize. Try a blend of lemon, ginger, and turmeric to kickstart your digestion and boost your immune system. A green juice loaded with leafy greens, cucumber, and a hint of mint, can replenish vital nutrients and bring back your natural glow. If you don’t have a juicer, we regularly use these nut milk bags with our blender for the perfect consistency each time. You can also create you own tonics, we like the higher dose detox drops, filled with magnesium, chlorophyll and milk thistle, or try the detox tonic from pressed for a pre-made bottle ready to enjoy.
Take Time For Yourself
After spending days surrounded by family and friends, living under someone else’s roof without the comfort of your own space, it’s natural to find yourself yearning for some solitude once the holiday festivities wind down. This craving for quiet doesn’t mean dedicating an entire day to solitude. It might just be about finding an hour for a peaceful walk—with no music or distractions just time with yourself and your own thoughts. Maybe it’s treating yourself to the theatre, to enjoy a movie or show (without your aunt’s interruptions) or perhaps going on a simple date with your partner. The idea isn’t necessarily to indulge in lavish activities like baths filled with essential oils or to take a week off work. It’s about making a bit of time—perhaps just an hour, or more if possible—to reconnect with yourself in a way that feels refreshing and normal post-holidays. This can significantly help to restore your sense of balance as you ease back to the norm.
Practice Slow Movements
As we gently transition back into our daily routines after a period of travel or family visits, it’s important to consider how we reintroduce exercise, especially if we’ve taken a break. It’s not advisable to immediately plunge into intense workouts, as tempting as it might be to jump-start the new year. Rather, ease into it with softer, more nurturing movements to reconnect with your body’s rhythm. Aiming for at least 20 minutes of light exercise can be beneficial in this transitional period. Try slow stretching, not following a video or class, but instead moving your body in any direction that feels good to you or going for a serene walk in place of your high-energy spin class. The focus is to allow your mind and body to recover without feeling strained as you come back to your routine.
Even for those who’ve kept up with rigorous workouts, like daily HIIT sessions, this moment—amidst the aftermath of holiday tension—calls for a bit of a deceleration. This is the time to grant yourself permission to take a step back, slow down, and mindfully ease into your post-holiday schedule as the new year unfolds. Your body and mind will thank you.
Mediation
If there’s only one thing you could do to feel more in tune with yourself post-holiday, it’s mediation. The post-holiday period can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and mentally exhausted. Incorporating mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine, can help clear the grogginess from the holidays in more ways than you think. Taking just five minutes (seriously) out of your day to sit quietly and concentrate on your breathing will help. You might consider experimenting with guided meditation apps or classes to enhance your experience, but really just simply sitting in silence and attempting to quiet your mind can help. Giving yourself this small, dedicated time for stillness each day could help you reconnect with yourself (on an even deeper level than before the holidays) and navigate post-holiday greater ease.
