TIP #1: KEEP ACTIVE TO KEEP UP YOUR ENERGY + FEELING GOOD! 

Our bodies were made to move, and movement helps with everything, from your sleep, to digestion, hormone health and weight! It doesn’t have to be going to the gym everyday either! 

Over the break, why not try to get outdoors more if you can, go swimming, for long walks on the beach or out in nature, play sports with family and friends, get a paddleboard, or head to your local yoga studio. If you’re stuck at home, try doing things online! 

The easiest way for me to get in my exercise over the holiday period is by doing it first thing in the morning, getting up and going for a nice long walk, then if I happen to go swimming or play some games with friends or family later it is a bonus. 

Your body will thank you for it! If you are headed away too, be sure to take some easy, compact equipment, my resistance bands are always on hand! What’s most important is that you give yourself grace! You don’t need to be working out everyday, just encourage gentle movement so that you don’t feel slumpy or yuck (especially after too many wines)! 

TIP #2: SUPPORT YOUR LIVER 

The load on your liver typically increases this time of year, and not just because of the extra alcohol! The liver, believe it or not, does more than deal with your cocktails or egg nog!  

Try to be mindful of just how much alcohol you are consuming, because it can creep up at times! Some key things you can do to give it some extra assistance: 

–  Keep hydrated, the extra water helps flush out the toxins that the body is being overwhelmed with! Our bodies are 70% water, and alcohol is a diuretic, so adding in some more H2O will go a long way. Even if you’re not drinking much alcohol this festive season, we still need to have a happy liver to process all the other toxins that go in just on a daily basis. 

–  Eat plenty of cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, cabbage etc) and if you know that’s going to be hard, try adding in a greens powder to your day, I always take a bottle of Dr Libby’s Daily Greens and Radiant Reds away with me, and add it to a protein shake or morning smoothie so that I know I’m getting a boost of nutrients. 

–  Keep some activated charcoal on hand! If you know that your food intake, and habits over the holidays might include a few more processed foods, or drinks than normal, show the liver some love, by giving it a bit of assistance with this little hack! The activated charcoal helps drag the toxins out of the gut! 

TIP #3: EAT A WELL-BALANCED MEAL (Ideally 3 times a day, but breakfast and before going out is even more important)

We aren’t perfect, in fact generally holiday time tends to bring out our worst habits and poorest food choices, but if you are wanting to feel confident on the beach, energised, and balancing your hormones, eating regular meals that have some wholefood sources of carbs, proteins and fats is KEY! 

We want to make sure the blood sugar levels are stabilised as much as possible, as well as something to ‘line the stomach’ before a big night! 

Fun fact! Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach not only makes you drunk quicker, but actually promotes ‘leaky gut’ which can lead to food sensitivities, bloating, irregular bowel movements, brain fog and imbalanced gut microbiome over time! 

So, line your tummy up and keep your gut happy! 

TIP #4: REST, REST, REST 

This may sound so simple, but if this year has taught me anything, it is that there are many of us, myself included who struggle to actually switch off!! Yes, sitting down, and blobbing and resting, without any guilt is actually really hard for a lot of us! 

These holidays treat yourself to a well-deserved break! It has been an incredibly tough year, and our beautiful stress hormone cortisol has most probably been working overtime for the majority of us. So, help set yourself up well for the New Year with plenty of rest! 

My personal faves include journaling, reading, writing, tanning at the beach, spending time with friends and family, and walks in nature! Remove all pressure to be ON, or doing something, and give yourself full permission to switch OFF and unwind! Your body, mind and soul will thank you for it! 

TIP #5: ENJOY YOURSELF! 

The holidays are about spending time with loved ones, letting your hair down, and relaxing! And after the year we’ve all had, know that you truly deserve to! 

Be present with yourself, have fun, enjoy solitude, company, create exciting new memories, take a million photos, switch off from social media, eat fish and chips on the beach, or cuddle up by the fireplace (depending where you are in the world), and know that all is well. You are always loved, and you are ENOUGH!