The Day After Christmas

Yesterday happened. You probably had a larger meal than usual or stayed awake well past your normal bedtime. Your routine went out the window, but that is actually the point of a holiday.

One day of indulgence won't create a backlog. Things only get complicated if you view today as a period of damage control. You should just resume whatever was working for you before.

There's no need for a "cleanse" or some restrictive three-day plan just because of Christmas dinner. Your body prefers that you simply return to your previous helpful patterns.

Focus on gentle self-care. Hydrate to support waste removal, lubricate joints, boost brain function, and ward off fatigue. Have a normal lunch (eat balanced meals with fruits and veggies). If you feel like moving around, do that (get light movement like stretching or a walk for fresh air). Go to bed at a reasonable hour tonight (prioritize 7-9 hours restorative sleep).

Slowly ease back into a routine by decluttering, planning, and setting boundaries to prevent burnout. There isn't some complex strategy beyond that.

The guilt spiral is actually more harmful than the food itself. A single meal isn't enough to collapse your metabolism. Long-term consistency over months is what matters, not what occurred yesterday.

Post-holiday feelings are normal and require patience. Try to enjoy the rest of the year (and beyond) without feeling like your body deserves punishment.