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The indulgent celebrations and cheer of the holiday season has us feeling invigorated and joyous. However, the aftermath of the festivities can take a toll on us. As the new year begins, it's essential to prioritize and preserve your mental wellbeing. The post-holiday period (between December 26- January 2nd) offers a unique opportunity to reset, recharge for the year ahead. Here's our guide to a post-holiday detox that will leave you feeling revitalized and ready to embrace the possibilities of the new year.
1
Reflect and Set Intentions
Before diving into the detox, take a moment to reflect on the past year. Acknowledge your accomplishments -- big and small. We are often quick to overlook the positive experiences over the last 12 months while anxiously waiting for the fresh start the next year promises.
Take this time to express gratitude for positive experiences, and identify areas for personal growth. Setting intentions for the upcoming year allows you to create a roadmap for success. We recommend journaling or meditation to enhance this self-reflection process. This mindful introspection sets the stage for intentional goal-setting and personal evolution in the coming year.
2
Digital Detox
From holiday induced active family text threads to doom scrolling to fill the time between Christmas to New Years Eve, the incessant use of technology during the holidays can leave us feeling overwhelmed and fatigued. To detox your mind, consider a digital detox to allow the mind to unwind and reduces the cognitive load associated with information overload.
Allocate specific times for checking emails and social media, and create designated tech-free zones in your home (i.e. the bathroom, in bed, etc). Unplugging from screens allows you to reconnect with the present moment, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality that you may have been missing out on through the year.
Constant connectivity can stop you from being present in the current moment. This the slowest time of the year and you should use this time fully engage in and appreciate your surroundings without the distraction of screens.
3
Update Your Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene refers to a set of practices and habits that are conducive to getting a good night's sleep on a regular basis. What better time to adopt behaviors that promote quality sleep than the end of the year?
One of the key components to sleep hygiene is establishing a consistent sleep routine. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate the body's internal clock, optimizing the sleep-wake cycle. Consistency fortifies the body's natural circadian rhythm, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally.
Create a calming bedtime routine is another way to regulate sleep. It lets the body know that is is time to wind down transitioning the mind and body from the busyness of the day to a more relaxed state need to sleep. This can include things like reading, journaling, a lengthy skincare routine or stretching.
Another hack to better sleep hygiene is watching what you eat and drink before bed. Heavy meals and caffeine close to bedtime can disrupt sleep patterns and making it difficult to fall asleep. Proper digestion and avoiding stimulants contribute to a more peaceful night's rest.
4
Nourish The Body
The holiday season often involves indulging in rich and decadent foods. Take this time to transition back into the balanced and nutritious snacks and meals to support your overall well-being.
Nourishing the body is essential for maintaining overall health. The food and nutrients we consume play a crucial role in supporting the immune system as well as brain function.
Indulge in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and stay hydrated throughout the day to ensure optimal physical and mental functioning that you may lose during this slower period. Try including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts to improve your cognitive processes (memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills). A conscious effort to make informed food choices will have you walking into the new year rejuvenated.
5
Skincare Rituals as Self-Care
Skincare rituals provide an opportunity for self-care. Dedicating time each day to care for your skin is a tangible way to prioritize your mental health and alone time. This practice fosters a sense of self-love and care that may have gotten lost in the season of enjoying and giving love to others.
A skincare routine is a microcosm of building healthy habits. Establishing a routine requires discipline and commitment, qualities that can extend to other areas of your life. So luxuriate in serums, slather on eye creams, use those masks you've been collecting instead of wearing.
Treat your skin to a post-holiday detox with clean and nourishing skincare. Try including products with natural ingredients, such as botanical extracts and hydrating serums, to rejuvenate and restore your skin's radiance.
Become consistent now and see how this holistic approach improves your mental health and adds balance to your daily routine.
6
Declutter
A crucial aspect of the mindful post-holiday detox journey involves decluttering both the digital and physical realms of our lives. As we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, decluttering creates space for overall clarity, focus, and leave you feel less weighed down.
Digitally: Start by unsubscribing from newsletters you no longer read, archive or delete old emails, and organize your inbox into folders for better efficiency. Next declutter your digital files on your phone, computer or cloud storage. Transfer old photos and videos (that eat up storage) to a hard drive. Create organized folders for documents, videos and images and delete files you no longer need. To top it off, do a mindful cleanse of your social media. Unfollow accounts you longer align with and delete the apps you no longer use or maybe even the ones you do use but disrupt your mental health.
Physically: Assess your closet and donate or sell pieces you have not worn in while or know you never will. If you are having trouble think about what's holding you back from wearing them. If there is not real reason for letting it collect dust in your closet it must go. This goes for items that don't fit or hurt to wear (too tight or bad quality). ,
Continue this in your work and living spaces by clearing out unnecessary clutter -ie old paperwork, broken trinkets, expired items.
Decluttering digitally and physically does more than creating tidy spaces; it curates mental clarity, reduces distractions, and fostering an environment that supports your goals and well-being.
A post-holiday detox presents the perfect opportunity to slow down and get in tune with your mind and body. Engaging in these activities over the next few days allows you to release lingering negativity or brain fog. It also encourage stress reduction, physical health, creating a foundation for sustained mental health and resilience.
Remember, the essence of this guide is not to take you out of your resting state. The objective is to give you a head start on creating healthier routines and a mental space that can harbor the "New You" you want to be!