4 Post-Christmas Detox Tips

By Joash Guevarra

As the post-Christmas season begins, one of the things that come to your mind is getting rid of the unhealthy foods you ate and recovering from the stress you got. According to Psychology Professor Wade Morris, there are various causes as to why people eat and drink more during Christmas. No matter what your reasons are, he says that it all boils down to stress, nutritional deficiencies, and perception.

Despite these reasons, getting your body back on track is not impossible. However, there is no point in denying the fact that it can be difficult to overcome the effects of your overindulgence. Therefore, here are some tips to help you detox after the holiday season.

1. Be Mindful of Your Kidneys

As Christmas comes to a close, so do the times when you should return to your normal habits when it comes to taking care of your body. No matter what kinds of foods you ate last Christmas, be it alcoholic drinks, or salty and sugary foods, you should keep your kidneys in mind.

According to Krista Maruscha, a dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition, going for other spices instead of sodium, limiting your alcohol intake, and avoiding overly sweet treats can ensure a happy post-Christmas celebration.

Fortunately, there are certain types of food you can add to your post-holiday menu that is good for your kidneys, as well as provide a variety of flavor. The following are some examples you can add to your shopping list:

• Cauliflower
• Blueberries
• Red Grapes
•Egg Whites
• Garlic
• Onion
• Olive Oil
• Skinless Chicken
• Bell Peppers
• Cranberry

Aside from these food ingredients, you can also add supplements to your diet. While they may come in capsules, gels, and tablets, some of them come in the form of juices, allowing you to enjoy them alongside your delicious dishes. Ideally, you’re looking for products rich in iron, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

2. Give Your Eyes a Break

Since Christmas is over, you finally have the time to relax and prepare for the coming new year. And if you’re planning on doing some New Year shopping, it is essential that you give your tired eyes and feet some time to recover from your previous Christmas shopping.

Generally speaking, you experience eye fatigue when you overuse them, according to Director of Ophthalmology Dr Anita Sethi. Fortunately, there are plenty of tips to ensure your eyes are properly taken care of.

Tip 1: If you are fond of online shopping, remember to take frequent breaks and follow the 20-20-20 rule. Set a timer to remind yourself to look away every 20 minutes at an object that is about 20 feet away for a full 20 seconds. 

Tip 2: You should also remember to blink often, especially when you’re staring at your laptop or mobile device. 

Tip 3: Eye exercises like Figure 8 and Focus Changing exercises that you can do when you’re feeling tired.

Besides these activities, adding some healthy ingredients to your post-Christmas menu can also help keep your eyes strong. According to Nutritionist Carolyn Williams, cooking dishes using these types of food can improve and maintain eye health as they contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and more:

• Almonds
• Beans
• Eggs
• Oyster
• Papaya
•Salmon
• Spinach

3. Buy Some Brain Food

Aside from your eyes, your brain also got tired as you rushed through your Christmas shopping, decorating, and other preparations. Now that it’s finally over, you should focus on energizing your brain with some good food.

But don’t fret. There are certain types of food that can nourish your brain. Going for nuts or those rich in antioxidants can help ensure your brain is strong enough as you spend the post-holiday season in preparation for New Year.

The following are some of the antioxidant-rich foods you can add to your post-holiday menu:

• Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula
• Dark chocolate
• Blueberries
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli

As for nuts, your options include almonds, pistachios, macadamias, walnuts, and more.

4. Get Into Fitness

As mentioned before, Christmas is the time to bond with your loved ones and enjoy some good food and drinks. However, overindulgence is a problem that can cause problems for you when the holiday season is over.

Therefore it becomes important to focus on making and accomplishing your post-holiday fitness goals. But why wait for New Year to come when you and your loved ones can enjoy physical activities together right now? Aside from being a fun way to bond, it can also help maintain your body and burn excess calories you got from your favourite Christmas dishes.

The following are some activities you can try with your loved ones that allow you to continue celebrating Christmas even after it’s done:

• Ice skating
• Bike Riding 
• Walking and Hiking 
• Yoga and Mediation

Overindulging in your favorite Christmas dishes and drinks can lead to issues with your health as the new year comes. Therefore, these 4 tips are a starting point to help your body remain strong and healthy throughout the entire holiday season and get ready for a stronger 2023!