Holiday Hangover Cure. Detox your Body, Renew Your Energy, and Be Merry!

We’ve all been there. You went to a holiday party last night, had a few too many cocktails, and woke up this morning without any energy and feeling completely dysfunctional. Your head hurts, your digestion is off, and you feel drained from a late night out. You need a remedy ASAP. How can you cure that holiday hang over and return to your normal energetic self?

If you are feeling not-too-proud about splurging on holiday treats and endless merry drinks, here’s my TEN TIPS on what I typically do to detox my body (and mind) from overindulgence.

Caroline’s Holiday Hangover Cure. Detox Your Body, Renew Your Energy, and Be Merry! 

1. Dont Starve. A lot of people don’t eat the day following a ‘cheat meal’ or holiday party because of guilt. Starving yourself is self sabotage, it causes your metabolism to slow and can lead to yo-yo dieting or weight fluctuations. Instead, get right back on track and do the next best thing. Continue eating your healthy meals balanced in lean protein, complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats. No yo-yoing!

2. Don’t guilt trip! Don’t overanalyze what you ate in the past or beat yourself up for it. Everything that has happened has happened. Let go, move forward, and do the next best thing. Wallowing in guilt does nothing positive for you. If you need more support letting go, heres my “snap out of it” strategy to help you  break free from guilt, make peace with yourself, and accomplish your wellness goals.

3. Drink lots of water with lemon. I always bring a water bottle everywhere I go and ensure I’m staying hydrated and to keep my digestive system happy. If you are drinking enough, your urine should look like lemon juice. If it looks like apple juice you are dehydrated! Getting enough fluids will help you properly digest,  help restore body balance. In addition to drinking enough water, you can consider taking a hangover infusion in New York or another US city where the service is available. Hangover IV infusion will deliver all the necessary nutrients and minerals to your bloodstream and will rehydrate your body in a short period of time.

4. Workout. Do something to active to promote circulation, restore your energy, and a sweat the tiredness (or hangover) out of your system. This is one of the best ways to beat the belly bloat, headache, and fatigue that often comes with eating heavy foods or drinking. Remember, When you aren’t moving, nothing else is either!  Any movement is better than none and will go a long way in helping you recover and restore your energy to normal. Even a walk can prove beneficial, do whatever allows your stomach to feel its best. When I am feeling fatigued I like to do easy aerobic cardio or bodyweight strength combined with and a nice soothing yoga inspired flow. This at home bodyweight strength routine and yoga inspired flow series is the perfect remedy after a late night out. Combine it with an easy walk outside and you should be feeling back to normal in no time!

5. Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (usually I dilute it in 8oz water). The acidity cleanses your body. Here’s my recipe for a morning apple cider vinegar detox drink. I swear by this drink! Hangover or not, its totally worth drinking daily.

6. Eat Raw Foods. Raw (uncooked) foods have a higher nutrition content and has roughage to help expel the unhealthy foods out of your system.

7. Hide the extra candy, treats, and leftovers! Its a good idea to keep the post holiday treats out of sight and out of reach. This will help you manage temptation and avoid eating holiday treats at every meal. Note: I didn’t say throw it away. You can always use it for baking or the occasional treat. Sugar in general is very toxic to your body.

8. If you feel extra heavy from your holiday intake, limit your carbohydrates in some of your meals today. Note: do not cut your calories, just get your calories more from lean protein or unsaturated fats (for me I eat a lot of nuts).

9. Make a plan to not over-indulge for the next few days. You want to balance out your ‘cheat meals’ of overeating 1-2 times a week (that’s my normal). So if you splurge on  Friday, be more aware to not over-indulge over the weekend.

10. Remember ‘Thoughts Become Things’. Don’t tell yourself you’re fat, lazy or weak-minded. Don’t define yourself based on what you eat or how much weigh. Affirm positive words and follow through with positive actions. Keep your thoughts positive, supportive, and constructive. Powerful, purposeful thinking will help you move forward!

Whats one way you help your body feel better from the holiday season of parites, traveling, and merry making? Here are some other helpful holiday posts to check out:

Seasonal Stress Reduction:

• • • Tis the Season for STRESS Reduction. Beat stress and Breathe easy.
    • 10 Health Tips for Surviving the Holidays
    • Healthy Holidays: Stay balanced and Savor The Season
    • Plane Travel The Healthy Way. Great infographic from Greatist, I am a big believer in flying health care.
    • Late nights out and long days shopping leave you feel tired and achy? Take 9 minutes to de-stress with this evening relaxation sequence.

Cooking Light and Eating Right:

• • • Holiday Menus, Recipe Makeovers, and Balanced bites for all your celebrations at Cooking Light. 
    • Nine Healthy Holiday Eating Strategies. 
    • Holiday Calorie Calculator. Total your holiday party calories and Christmas dinner calories to see how far you must walk in steps, miles and kilometers to walk it off from walking.com
    • Thanksgiving Portion Control. Not an Oxymoron!
    • Skinny Girl Cocktail Guide to the Holidays. Ah yes, I had to include this link for all you Bethany Frankel lovers.
    • “Healthy” Holiday Food to Avoid (And Healthier Foods to Eat Instead)

Feel Good Fitness:

• • • Reader Q&A: Staying In Shape During the Holidays
    • Free 10 minute circuit training video. Get fast results with this quick online exercise routine, consider it my holiday gift to you!
    • Hot New Fitness DVDs for the Holidays.
    • Festive Fall Fun: The TURKEY TROT Challenge
    • Little Black Dress Workout. 
    • Healthy Holidays: Tis the Season to Stay Fit and Feel Fabulous. 
    • Holiday Vacation Fitness: Don’t leave home without it.
    • Fitness In A Flash. Quick workouts you can do in a time crunch thanks to the American Council On Exercise

Inspiration/Motivation

• • Winter Motivation Secrets. 
  • Holiday HOTNESS Playlist. My merry music mix.
  • Top 100 Workout Songs. Fitsugar put together quite the list!
  • Holiday Running Songs. Too funny thanks jog.fm !
  • My Favorite Smart Phone Apps to Help You Be Merry and Mindful. Nutrition, Fitness, and Stress Management Apps. Use the meal snap app to help identify healthy options at your next holiday party and the Nike Training App to help you stay fit while you stay at Grandma’s house.

Wishing you a happy holiday – Merry EVERYTHING everybody!

Caroline