The holiday season is fast underway. This time of year brings with it a whole lot of fun and we all deserve the chance to let loose and indulge a little. But, with the work parties, dinners with friends, and back-to-back family celebrations, it can be very difficult to keep a healthy balance. The delightful but dastardly combination of alcohol, late nights, and high-calorie meals can have you feeling sluggish, skipping the gym, and reaching for that breakfast bagel before you know it.

As always, we believe that prevention is better than a cure. Take a mindful approach to your diet and exercise this holiday season to avoid major blowouts, and add some simple, natural steps to your daily routine to help reset your body after a festive feast. Over-indulge a little? Don’t sweat it. Skip the crash diets and remember: your body is resilient and knows how to heal itself. Here are a few gentle ways to help it along the way:

Drink warm water with lemon
Begin your day with a glass of warm water and lemon juice, which will help to alkalize your body, kick-start your metabolism, and curb sugar cravings throughout the day. It’s also a great way to start your day off with essential hydration. Keeping your water intake up throughout the day will provide vital support to your liver and kidneys as they work on flushing out toxins from your system.

Thoughtful eating
Set your intentions and maintain a mindful approach to your eating these holidays. Focus on gratitude and appreciate the abundance of food (and love) that this season brings. Try to restrict your unconscious eating: chew slowly and give your full attention to each mouthful you eat — you will be surprised how easy it is to keep your portions in check!

Green tea
Try sipping on warm green tea before and after meals to keep your metabolism moving, and aid in digestion. Green tea is packed with powerful antioxidants called polyphenols and has been revered for its digestive properties for thousands of years. Fennel tea is a great choice as well — this herb stimulates digestion and soothes the digestive tract, relieving indigestion, bloating, constipation, and heartburn.

Plant power
If overeating has left you feeling bloated and guilty, we know you might be tempted to skip meals or restrict your calories to try to get back on top. But remember, now is the time to be strengthening your body (not starving it!) by boosting your natural detox and digestive functions with healthy, nourishing meals. Fill your plate with fruits, veggies, and plant-based proteins. Rich in fiber, chia is a great source of plant-protein that will help you feel full and energized throughout the day, as well as aiding in a healthy digestion to get things moving. Need a little inspiration? Take a look at our recipes.

Stretch it out
For thousands of years, yoga has been regarded as one of the most effective ways to reset balance and restore order to our energy systems. It’s also a great mood booster! Start your day with a quick 20-30 morning yoga practice and you will notice the benefits in no time. Don’t have time to hit the yoga studio? Try this simple but effective detox sequence by our friends at mindbodygreen.