The holiday season can feel overwhelming, what with surprise family visits, shopping until you quite literally drop, and indulgent meals that could feed a small army. By the time the holidays are over, you’re likely feeling drained, both physically and emotionally, but the new year gives you the chance to hit the reset button and recharge.
In this article we’ll go over some ways you can reset and “detox” after the chaos of the holiday season for both your emotional and physical health. With a little time and dedication, you can start the year feeling refreshed and ready for anything.
Physical “detox” & refresh
Make water your best friend
After a season of rich food and drink, your body craves hydration. Adequate hydration helps flush out toxins and supports digestion. Staying hydrated helps your kidneys remove waste (urine) from your body. Not to mention, even mild levels of dehydration can alter mood and cognitive function. You might visibly see the effects as well, as our skin is approximately 30% water, which gives it that elastic quality.
Easy ways to drink more water:
• Start your mornings with a glass of water.
• Carry a reusable bottle throughout the day and fill it up frequently.
• Try infusing your water with lemon, cucumber, or mint.
Dry January
Dry January is abstaining from alcohol during the month of January after the indulgent holiday season. Taking a break from alcohol, even for just a month, can do wonders for your body and mind.
Potential benefits of Dry January:
• Since alcohol is a depressant, you may notice an increase in energy levels.
• It gives your liver a chance to recover from inflammation due to drinking alcohol
• It can help improve your quality of sleep.
Sleep is everything
Sleep is the ultimate reset button and getting quality sleep is essential for your health. After late nights and disrupted routines during the holidays, prioritize getting back to a healthy sleep schedule.
Get better sleep by:
• Aiming for 7–9 hours per night.
• Creating a calming bedtime ritual, whether it’s with a cup of herbal tea, reading, or listening to white noise.
• Removing all screens from your reach when you go to bed.
• Avoiding caffeine in both the afternoon and evening.
Prioritize regular exercise
Whether it’s brisk walks, yoga, or hitting the gym, exercise helps your body process holiday indulgences and increases endorphins to lift your mood. Even 20–30 minutes of daily physical activity can make a huge difference in your health. If you have an office job, there’s still ways to stay active, like taking quick walking breaks throughout the day or investing in a standing desk/walking pad combo. Sweating is also a route of elimination and physical activity supports digestive function, so get that movement in!
Nature’s Way products
• Your liver is essential to general health as it’s the body’s primary filter for toxins. Nature's Way Milk Thistle is used as a liver protectant. And what better time to support your liver health than the start of a new year?
• Chlorofresh® Liquid Chlorophyll: This green liquid supplement supports detoxification processes and antioxidant pathways to help neutralize free radicals. Chlorophyllin copper complex aids in collagen synthesis for healthy skin and keeps you feeling fresh by working as an internal deodorant.
Emotional “detox” & refresh
Set and prioritize goals
The new year is the perfect time to reflect on what matters most. Instead of overwhelming yourself with a long list of New Year’s resolutions, choose one or two meaningful goals and break them into more manageable steps. Progress is what’s important, not perfection!
Meditation and mindfulness practices
Holiday chaos can often leave us scattered and combined with the promise of a new year reset, it’s important to find balance. Meditation and mindfulness can help you slow down, reconnect with yourself and what’s important, and help reduce unnecessary stress.
Easy tips to practice mindfulness:
• Use apps or podcasts for short, guided meditation sessions.
• Take a few deep breaths when you feel overwhelmed.
• Repeat a daily affirmation that starts your day on a positive note.
• Take a moment each day to think and write about what you’re grateful for.
• Be mindful during meals and appreciate the flavors, textures, and smells.
Try a digital detox
Constant notifications and endless scrolling are draining. A digital detox doesn’t mean abandoning technology altogether, but it allows us to create boundaries.
Ideas on how to digitally “detox”:
• Set “screen-free” hours of the day, such as the first two hours of waking up or the last hour before bed.
• Delete or turn off notifications for certain apps that give you more stress than happiness.
• Instead of scrolling, read that book that’s been on your list forever.
• Swear off a streaming service for a certain amount of time, whether it be a week or a month.
• Instead of filling the silence with background noise during household cleaning or while on a walk, be present with yourself and try to find comfort in that silence.
Disconnecting helps you recharge emotionally and reconnect with the present moment.
Nature’s Way products
• Calm-Aid: This once-daily product contains Silexan™, a clinically studied lavender essential oil traditionally used in herbal medicine to relieve mild symptoms of mental stress and exhaustion, and to aid sleep. Nature’s Way Calm-Aid® is formulated with high-quality lavender essential oil, which is clinically shown to help improve quality of sleep in those with mild mental stress, and to help relieve symptoms of mild stress such as racing thoughts. It’s a simple alternative with no habit-forming ingredients.
• St. John’s Wort: St. John’s Wort has been trusted for centuries to support a positive mood.* Help brighten your day and nurture an optimistic outlook with this traditional herbal supplement.*
As always, consult your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements to your routine.
Happy New Year from Nature’s Way!
Resetting after the holidays is about renewal. Give both your body and mind the chance to recover and be refreshed so you can take on the new year. Check out our website and find products to support your New Year’s resolutions.
