Post Diwali blues are upon us! The Indian festive season is winding down, but we’re still recovering from all the excess (food, sweets, drinks, late nights). There’s finally a moment to catch a break, but only until wedding season and all the end of the year parties take over.
As you scramble to get back to your regular eating and exercise routine after the festive extravaganza, chances are that you’re feeling less-than-stellar. Reality hits home in the form of heaviness, fatigue, or being bloated. Whether you drank too much one night (or more), consumed your body weight in fried food and sweets, or are just feeling dull after too many consecutive late nights, it’s safe to say you might be in the need for a reset.
Ideally, we’d love to stay on track with our health goals all the time, but it’s not always possible. You promise yourself only one drink and soon you’ve partied four consecutive nights with only two hours of sleep, and find yourself so far off the track that re-starting your normal routine seems like a daunting task. Festive binges often result in unbalanced digestive systems, out of whack gut health, and dull sallow skin (let’s not even get started on acne, dry patches, dark circles etc.) I call this the festive fatigue — your body is tired, inside and out.
You might not be feeling or looking your best right now, but luckily the damage isn’t permanent. You don’t need to crash diet or park yourself at the gym — your body is resilient enough to heal itself over time. A simple detox regimen can give you the gentle push you need to help you reset, allowing your system to get back to normalcy after the overindulgence. Here are some tips that will get you started:
1. Start your mornings with a cup of warm water + lemon
This tonic stimulates your digestive system, alkalises your body, and kickstarts your metabolism for the day. It also helps with constipation, and helps your liver function return to normalcy.
2. Brew a green tea tonic
Try sipping on teas before and after meals. Green and herbal teas and tisanes are loaded with polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants. It also helps keep your metabolism and digestion strong. I love to brew green tea with some ginger, holy basil leaves, cinnamon bark, black pepper, fennel, and cumin. Holy basil has anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties; cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants and regulates blood sugar; and fennel is excellent for improved digestion, metabolism, and immunity.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
The golden rule of any detox plan is to always be well hydrated. Drinking tons of water is the easiest and surest way to help your liver and kidney flush out all the toxins from your body. Excessive sodium (present in junk and fried food) + alcohol also causes dehydration which makes it even more essential to increase your water consumption. If drinking water seems like a chore, find innovative ways to up your intake — coconut water, buttermilk, green tea etc.
4. Fuel up on fibre
Even though it might be tempting to skimp on meals out of guilt, you actually need to eating wholesome, nourishing meals. Up your fibre intake by eating foods that are rich in fibre like oats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Fibre-rich foods help with bloating as well as gut health, and will keep you full for longer without spiking blood sugar levels.
5. Avoid trigger foods like caffeine and alcohol
Even if you’re used to waking up with a large mug of coffee, it’s best to avoid or limit your caffeine consumption during the detox. Caffeine interferes with the body’s process of absorbing nutrients, and can set back your detox regimen. Stay away from alcohol too during this period.
6. Cut back on sugar
Eating sugar brings with it a host of health issues, and during the festive season we tend to consume excess of it. Cut back on all forms of sugar – not just the obvious desserts and mithai, but also the form of processed foods, junk and packaged snacks, and simple carbs like white bread and pasta. You can find simple tips on how to go on a sugar detox here.
7. Eat your greens
Focus on eating nourishing healthy meals, adding more nutrient dense foods like fruits and vegetables to your diet. Green leafy and cruciferous vegetables are especially great for fighting inflammation, and are antioxidant-rich. They help in reducing the dreaded belly bloat. As the weather is getting cooler, nourishing soups and stews are your detox plan’s best friend. Check out this and this recipe for inspiration.
8. Intermittent fasting
IF is a simple way to give your digestive system a break, without starving or depriving yourself of food. The simplest way you can reap from the benefits of IF – eat your last meal no later than 7pm, and then break your fast the next morning with a nourishing breakfast that includes good fats at around 9-10 am. You would have fasted for a good 14-15 hours, in which state your body is able to burn fat as fuel.
9. Get your sweat on
The body also flushes out toxins when you sweat, so getting in a solid workout should definitely be a part of your detox plan. A 30 minute yoga session is an excellent way to reset your energy and put yourself in a good mood. Go for a brisk morning walk or run, or schedule a high energy workout class if you’re up for something a little more intense.
10. Eat with intention
Probably the number one tip to avoid feelings of regret after overindulging, is to eat mindfully and with intention. There’s no point stressing and beating yourself up about binging. Enjoy your food (even at upcoming holiday parties and weddings), indulge in moderation, and don’t feel guilty. The more you stress about the small stuff, the more it wrecks havoc on your body. Approach the year end with intention, and you won’t step into January with massive feelings of guilt.
You don’t have to go to extreme lengths after the festive season; a few simple changes carried out with mindfulness, can gently reset your body and put you back on track.
What is your go-to detox practice after an indulgent festive season?
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