Indulgence over the festive period is always on everyone’s agenda. It’s the one time you’re allowed to kick back and have a lot of what you fancy, with no consequences of your excesses, right?

Not exactly. Your body doesn’t have an internal clock which shouts ‘hey it’s Christmas, so now is the time to deal with fat and sugar in exactly the same way you would vegetables and salad!’ You may relax mentally, which is no bad thing this time of year, and the certain consequences of overeating, drinking and partying on your body may mean you’re happy to deal with them at a later date.

After the high comes the comedown, and the new year is a perfect time to grab the opportunities which may come your way in this fresh chapter. Making sure your steer clear of what may have made the last year a difficult one – be it drink, drugs, overworking or overeating – and starting anew, getting the right treatment as well as giving your body the chance to recover, will give your mental health a break it needs too.

So here are some handy hints on what to do once you’ve finished having all that fun and feel it’s time for that detox:

Body

1. Drink water. Might sound simple, but it’s surprising how many people only let caffeine or alcohol pass their lips. Get hydrated. It’s easy. Try to go for at least one litre a day, or if that’s too hard to keep track of, just keep a topped-up bottle near you to sip from constantly.
2. Give your kidneys a break by avoiding black tea and coffee. And alcohol while you’re there. Go for your herbal tea of choice and stick to water (see above), and fresh juices such as apple, beetroot, carrot and cucumber which are wonderful for cleansing out toxins.
3. Eat food that’s as fresh as possible and in its most natural state. So that means try to stay away from rich sauces even if you are cooking fresh, and avoid processed ready-meals and snacks. You can keep the goodness in food by steaming or poaching where possible.
4. Fill up on vegetables and fruit as much as you can. In fact, try to eat at least five portions per day while on detox. Give yourself as much variety as you can.
5. Reduce your intake of animal products. Dairy equivalents can be found in soya or nut milks; proteins can be found in lentils, seeds, beans and nuts.
6. Get plenty of sleep. Recharge your batteries and your body will thank you for it.
7. Start an exercise plan. It doesn’t have to start out with all guns blazing. Just start a little at a time and build it up. You’ll be amazed at how you’ll begin to feel.

Mind

1. Exercise is also a tool which helps the mind as well as body. Yoga or Tai Chi are great to help calm down your thoughts and are generally good for the soul. As you feel your body getting stronger, so will your mind.
2. Enjoy the quiet after the storm. Some people find the drought of social interaction straight after Christmas a bit like rejection and grief. Especially if you’ve been surrounded by loved ones and you’ve had a good time. But accept that that is the way festivities work, be glad of them, but also be glad of the relieving quiet time you now have time to get yourself in order and relax. Read a good book and enjoy the time to hibernate.
3. Make room for all those presents and new beginnings by having a spring clean. Some cultures have done this ritual for centuries for exactly the same reason. Out with the old, in with the new, and all in a fresh, clean home.
4. Start something new. Give yourself something to aim for and something to look forward to. Book yourself onto a night class or online course, take up salsa dancing or actually make steps towards doing that hobby you’ve always wanted to. You’ll be amazed at how invigorating and exciting a new start can be, even if it’s small.
5. Don’t fight it. If you know you’re having a dark day, take the small steps that you know will help you feel better, rather than beating yourself up for not doing the big things. Know that your mood will calm down and you will find your place. If you think you are seriously depressed and need mental health professional help, you must seek it.