The festive season is often packed with indulgence, from big family meals and celebrations to social occasions with little sleep and higher calorie-intake. But resetting your body doesn’t mean extreme juice fasts or restrictive diets. It’s about finding the balance again after a good summer break and wanting to set yourself up for success in the new year. Here’s how to reset and restore your health and get back onto the health wagon…
Prioritise hydration
Drinking enough plain water is essential for detoxifying and boosting kidney function. Aim for a minimum of 2 litres a day. Add a slice of lemon or cucumber for a healthy boost of flavour if you struggle to drink plain water. Herbal teas like rooibos, mint, buchu or chamomile are also great if you have them unsweetened and without milk.
Start your day with a room-temperature glass of water to boost hydration after your sleep and to kick-start your digestive system.
Nourish your body with good foods
Resetting your health is not about deprivation, but rather about nourishing your body with good-for-you nutrient-dense foods. Pack your diet with:
- Whole grains and fibre-rich foods
- Cruciferous vegetables antioxidants like kale, spinach and broccoli
- Healthy fats from avocados, nuts and olive oil
- Lean proteins such as fish and tofu
Get your gut in good order
Getting your gut health in order is essential for immunity, overall health and mood. Include both prebiotics and probiotics in your diet and avoid foods that are bad for your gut health, like trans fats and processed food.
Include more:
- Plain yoghurt
- Kefir water
- Fermented foods like kimchi
- Prebiotic-rich foods like garlic, onions and bananas
Sweat it out
Exercise helps your body eliminate toxins through sweat while boosting circulation and metabolism. Aim for at least 30-minutes, 5 times a week.
- Try this Summer Fat Burning Workout video
- If you’re new to exercise or restarting your fitness journey, try this Zero to Fit workout.
- Looking for a workout that targets all your major muscle groups? Try this Full Body Workout Video.
- Looking for a workout to get your blood pumping? Try this Cardio Workout video.
- Wanting something more yoga-based and beginner-friendly? Sweat along to this yoga workout video.
Practice Mindfulness & Rest
Stress and exhaustion can cause cortisol levels to spike and increase cravings. Inadequate sleep can result in weight gain, mood swings and a lowered immune system. So we recommend:
- Aiming for 7-9 hours of good quality sleep per night. This will support cellular repair and aid in detoxification as well.
- Incorporate journaling to help alleviate stress and set your goals and intentions for the year ahead. Try our ‘Mental Health Spring Clean’ to get your set up to thrive in 2025.
- Include focused breathing sessions to lower cortisol levels and increase mindfulness and self-awareness.