There’s this thing called a holiday hangover. No, it’s not what you think. I promise. But the holiday hangover has to be dealt with, like the elephant in the room.
Sometimes we are so busy dealing with our families and friends, trying to be the best person we can, that we forget about loving ourselves. Especially at the holidays.
What is this holiday hangover you speak of, you may be asking. Well, it comes in many forms. Let’s talk about some of the more prevalent ones, and the best way to deal with them.
Holiday Hangover Tips
#1 The Shop Til You Drop Hangover
Shopping for a huge list of people is daunting and draining. You don’t want to ever do it again, but you know it will happen again next year. Or maybe you are one of the brave souls who does the day after Christmas shopping spree. So, how do you cure this holiday hangover? Revitalize yourself by getting a foot massage, followed by eating a healthy meal. No junk food allowed, because the real or processed sugars will make you crash. Preferably something like a high protein salad.
#2 The Festive Look Hangover
Unless you are determined to get rid of the holiday decor right away, I suggest taking 3-4 days to put everything away, no more than 2 hours at a time. Day one put away all the free standing decor, such as garlands on the fireplace mantles, the candles, and the Christmas villages. On day two take down the ornaments and put away any presents, empty boxes, leftover wrapping materials. Day three remove the lights and garland. Finally, on day four put the tree away. This will keep you from being overwhelmed.
#3 The Food Coma
The holidays center around food, because it’s the most popular thing to do with a large group of people. Here’s what I suggest. If you are forced to bring home leftovers, put them in the freezer immediately. Change up what you eat. Oatmeal for breakfast (toss in some flax seeds) with melons and strawberries (great for hydration). Smoothies for lunch and snacks. End the day with broth-based soups and thin slices of sourdough bread. Two days should do the trick.
#4 Christmas Movies Dancing in your Head
This is the easiest holiday hangover to get rid of. The first chance you get, play a trilogy of your favorite movies in one evening. Romance is not really a good idea, because most Christmas movies tend to have romance in some shape or form. Actually, the more action-packed the better. Might I suggest Indiana Jones, Dirty Harry, or Mission Impossible? Have some buttery popcorn with it.
Music has the same rules. Go back to your favorite genre, especially ones you like to dance to.
And There’s More!
#5 Socialization Bulldozer
Being around so many people can be exhausting. You love your family and friends, but sometimes it’s too much. Take 24-hours and focus on you. Don’t look at any emails. Don’t answer any phone calls. If you have to, put a sign on the front door saying Do Not Disturb, I’m sleeping, and make sure the door stays locked, depending on your neighborhood. Stay inside and be a hermit for the day, doing what you feel is relaxing, whether it is reading, watching movies, taking a long nap, crafting, whatever.
#6 Holiday Vacation Burnout
This is one most people don’t even realize happens. Ease back into your normal daily life. Regulate your morning wake-up time and routine. Go to bed a bit earlier, until you are back on schedule. Focus on the most important tasks first, not everything at once. Going from nothing to 100% immediately is never good for the body. Reminisce about your holiday time, keeping the good parts front and center. Do whatever helps you relieve stress, at the same time every day for a week.
#7 The Actual Hangover
This happens. First off, do not take any pills with acetaminophen in it (aka Tylenol), the combination with alcohol in the stomach can wreak havoc on the liver. Drink a glass of water before you go to bed, and one when you wake up. Drink lots of fluids the next day, even if it upsets your stomach. Take lots of sips. Sports drinks may replace the electrolytes you’ve lost when drinking. Eat dry, bland food. Put on an eye mask to encourage sleep without interruptions. The best advice for me to give you is to not drink for the next 6 days, because you might be doing it all over again on New Year’s Eve.
Are There More?
Is there another type of holiday hangover you deal with after the holidays? Let me know, and together we will come up with a cure.