At this time of year most of us are being (happily) bombarded with an excess of food, drink and festivities. It's a time to enjoy and share in such abundance, but you can do so without feeling the need to hit 'reset' on your health in the new year.
Here are our top tips on how to keep yourself healthy over the silly season:
- Support your digestion - if you're planning on dipping into the rumballs, pudding and extra potato salad, spare a thought for your digestive system. Unused to managing such rich foods on a daily basis, many people find they feel sluggish and sometimes sick after indulging. Simple measures like lemon juice in water before starting the day, peppermint tea in the evening, or our favourite digestive tonic, Iberogast, with meals will help you get through the festive season symptom free.
- Don't forget about your liver - if you find yourself partial to a shandy or two, particularly if that's not your normal style, it's important to support your liver. This unsung hero of health is what keeps your body balanced, clearing out toxins from excess alcohol and rich foods. Herbs such as St Mary's Thistle, Dandelion and Globe Artichoke can keep everything going like clockwork and nip hangovers in the bud.
- Drink plenty of fluids - staying hydrated is important at all times of the year, but when the weather's warm and you're having plenty of treats, keeping fluids up is essential. Aim for at least 1.5L each day - more when the weather's scorching and/or you're drinking alcohol.
- Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater - just because you're indulging doesn't mean you can throw all your good habits out the window. As much as possible, maintain a healthy diet, get good sleep, drink plenty of fluids and exercise regularly.
These are just a few ideas to support you through the silly season. If you feel like you need some personalised advice please make an appointment with one of our practitioners. Our team can help you to manage your weight, skin disorders, sluggish digestion, fatigue and ability to cope with stress, all of which are often tested at this busy time of year.
