After spending weeks in utter chaos & once the excitement of the holidays dies down, it’s quite hard to get back to ‘real-life’. 25 Post-Holiday Detox tips & routine ideas to make this transition back to normal easier.
The holidays are here and most people are anxiously counting down to the big day. Holidays take weeks of preparation from shopping to decorating, to gift wrapping and everything in between.
When we spend so many weeks in literally utter chaos, it can be a hard adjustment going back to normal once the excitement dies down.
When we say detox people generally think of healthy eating/what you’re eating, cleanses, and your relationship with your body but there is so much more to it.
It is crucial to look at the holistic approach to detox – for our mind, body, and soul.
This year has been exceptionally challenging so a mental health detox is definitely something to consider partaking in. When we take the time to detox our entire body, our health, mood, and energy levels all improve leading to a more positive state of mind and thus a happier life.
A mind/body detox isn’t just beneficial after the holidays either. It can be incredibly beneficial to help you get back to normal after vacation too. Ever feel disappointed, depressed, or stressed when it comes time to head home and get back to life? Yep, those vacation blues! Detoxing your mind and body is beneficial in helping you move past those feelings and transitioning back to the norm.
Also, here’s a pro tip for you —
Plan and prepare ahead of time for what you’ll need your first week after the holidays or a vacation. When you get back, knowing that you’ve prepared takes one thing off your plate and allows you to hit the ground running. Arrange for grocery delivery the first day you’re home, tidy up your home before you leave and do all the laundry, and make sure all your bills are paid so you’re not scrambling to meet deadlines upon your return home. These little steps don’t sound like much, but I promise having a little less pressure when you first get back to normal life is a huge help!
25 Post-Holiday Detox Tips & Routine ideas
To make the transition back to normal easier, consider implementing these helpful 25 Post Holiday Detox tips —
1. Give yourself some time
It’s almost impossible for anyone to go from full-on holiday mode to back-to-normal reality overnight so give yourself a grace period. Make a point to transition over a few days, including your return to work. When we’ve had time off to unplug and connect, it can be really difficult to go back to the normal routine of grocery shopping, errands, work, etc right away. By transitioning little by little a day at a time, it won’t feel like such a shock to your system.
2. Transition your space from the holiday zone to normal
When you begin transitioning from holidays to normal, first focus on starting to remove the holidays from your home (guilty of not doing this myself as it is super hard for me to bring down any kind of decorations, oops!). Find homes for all the items received by you and your loved ones, and start packing away your decor. By transitioning your space it changes the energy and makes it easier to shift your focus.
3. Tidy up
In the chaos of Christmas, most of us get busy and neglect our regular cleaning duties. After unwrapping gifts you may also have an excessive amount of garbage and recycling to clear up. By taking a day to clear out what isn’t needed and tidy your home to your standards you will feel more relaxed and ready to face the norm.
4. Create a list of must-do items
Getting back to the norm can be incredibly overwhelming for most people. Once the holidays are over, make yourself a list of things you have to do on the personal side of your life. And when you’re ready to head back to work, make yourself a list for the day before to avoid any unnecessary morning rush or forgetting anything. Better yet, set a routine.
5. Get some rest
The holidays are EXHAUSTING so be sure that you focus on getting some rest as you return to your normal. It’s not healthy to head back to normal life tired before you even start.
6. Allow yourself to feel down
It’s completely normal to feel the blues when the holidays are over and it’s time to get back to life. If you’re feeling this way, give yourself space to embrace it, and acknowledge those feelings. By practicing emotional intelligence you can learn a lot about why you’re triggered by the end of the holidays.
7. Jump back into your fitness routine
For many, fitness is a priority that supports both physical and mental wellness. During the holidays, it tends to take a backseat so jump back in to ease the transition back to the norm. Whether you’re an avid runner, practice yoga, or hit the gym, prioritize yourself. This small part of your regular routine can help ease the pressure as you transition fully to normal life.
8. Reconnect with your spouse
You may have spent the holidays with your spouse but find that you don’t feel connected once the chaos subsides. Carve out some 1:1 time with your spouse to get back on track and reconnect while embracing normalcy. Unique date-night in ideas to help you.
9. Get back in the kitchen, even if you don’t want to
If you spent a good chunk of time cooking over the holidays you could be experiencing kitchen burnout in the normalcy of things. By setting aside some time to meal plan, arrange grocery delivery, or pick up and organize your kitchen, takes the guesswork out of regular meals.
10. Get back to eating a normal diet
The holidays include enjoying meals with loved ones, celebrating with drinks, and indulging in treats. Most of us eat far outside our normal diet and the transition back can be a tough one. Chances are you will end the season feeling sluggish, tired, and overstuffed. Get your energy levels and motivation back in check by hydrating with plenty of water, reducing your alcohol intake, and jumping back into your normal well-balanced diet.
11. Get back on your budget
Budget, what’s that? If your budget went to hell in a handbasket this holiday season, now is the time to sit down and get clear on your financial goals. Focus on where you want to be and set your budget in alignment with that. This is another great way to get back to feeling connected to your spouse.
12. Tackle all the laundry, even if you don’t want to
When we are busy enjoying the holidays and unplugging from real life, laundry is one thing that tends to take a back seat. To get back into the norm, take some time, and just get it done. It’s a pain for sure, but getting it done before you’re back to work and ‘real-life’ will make things much easier for you!
13. Make the transition exciting for the kids
Transitioning back to real-life can be tough for kiddos, especially this year. The holidays look a lot different with less company and socializing so it may feel different this year, too. Be sure to help them focus on the exciting things that are happening when you get out of holiday mode such as a return to school to see friends (if you’ve opted for in-person learning), getting back to routine, and any exciting upcoming plans that you may have in the next month or two.
14. Look back at your 2020 goals
When transitioning to normal life in the new year, take a minute to pause and think about 2020. It was a whirlwind and a hell of a challenge. Ask yourself, “where was I at this time last year and where did I want to be by now?”. Taking a break to think this through can give you a fresh perspective and motivation to get back to the norm and embrace 2021.
15. Focus on what you’re grateful for
Practicing gratitude changes your mindset and mindset is a huge obstacle in transitioning from holiday mode to real life. Change your mindset, find your motivation, and love your everyday life!
16. Reevaluate your normal routine
If you’re really dragging your feet getting into your normal routine think about what is weighing you down. What are you dreading the most? Based on your findings, consider reevaluating your regular routine and life to eliminate some of those dreaded things from your schedule and avoid burnout.
17. Schedule time for the things you love
Joy shouldn’t be a part of your life only during the holidays and scheduling time for the things you love is a sure way to find joy every day. Maybe you enjoy running, or knitting, or reading. Whatever it is that tops your list, add it to your schedule during the transition from holiday to normal to make the transition feel less daunting.
18. Sign back into your work apps/social media
Many people enjoy being truly unplugged during the holidays. If that’s you, sign back into your work apps, social media or emails to be prepared for your return to real life. If that’s not you, then I highly recommend that you do take the time to unplug. Unplugging is something I do on a regular basis. It’s so great for my own mental health and my family too. Take it one step at a time so you don’t feel bombarded with all that’s come in since you signed out.
19. Make your schedule light when you return to work
If you can, make sure your work schedule is on the lighter side for your first few days. After being away for a chunk of time it can almost feel like you’re starting fresh even when it’s not. Don’t worry, just give yourself time to learn to ride that bike again! This is where the above pro-tip helps too.
20. Give yourself some breathing room
Don’t overschedule yourself or set unrealistic expectations. As you transition back to normalcy give yourself tasks that are realistic. Is it really possible for you to put away all your decor, and clean the entire house in one day with young kids at home? Probably not! So break that down over multiple days and avoid beating yourself up about it!
21. Talk about the exciting things that are just around the corner
When holidays end it can feel like there is nothing to look forward to (hence point #6). Remind yourself of all you have to look forward to. Even the smallest things can help give you something to focus on! Maybe you’re having a date night in with your spouse next weekend or a family movie night on Saturday. Whatever it is, focus on the positive!
22. Carve out time for self-care
Regardless of how busy you are when getting back to normalcy, it’s important to prioritize self-care. Self-care means different things to different people so whether you enjoy an evening to relax and read a book, a long, hot bath, a long drive with good tunes, or a trip to your gym or favorite workout class, make it a priority.
23. Sleep should always be a priority
When we are busy, and as parents, we are all guilty of foregoing sleep for other things that are on our plate. You don’t want to jump back into real life exhausted even before you get there. Soon enough you’ll be back to the hustle and bustle so prioritize getting some extra rest now.
24. Practice mindfulness and meditation
Mindfulness and meditation is a great way to ease some of the stress of getting back to real life. Take some time to focus on your inner thoughts and the way you’re feeling to help your process and manage them.
25. Let it go!
We all hold on to too many things that weigh us down. Unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, grudges, and more. Focus on letting some of what’s weighing you down go to take the pressure off of yourself.
The post-holiday detox can be a rough one and if you’re finding yourself struggling more than a typical year, let’s chat about what’s keeping you down, please send me an email or DM.
Life coaching can help you unlock clarity that you didn’t even know you needed to find setting you on the right path for 2021.
“Detox your mind, body, soul, and your contact list.”
Namaste,
Kusum
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