Healthy Life
Recovering from the festive season is possible with a little rest, hydration and lighter meals.
As the festive season comes to an end after weeks of celebrations and indulging in big meals, you may start to feel what many call the "holiday hangover", that sluggish, run-down feeling that creeps up on you once the festivities slow down. Festive fatigue isn’t just caused by overindulging; it’s also linked to disrupted routines, social overstimulation, the mental load of a busy holiday season. But with rest, hydration and carefully planned meals, it’s possible to recover.
Why you may feel fatigue during and after the festive season
Holiday-related fatigue is often worsened by irregular meal timing, excessive refined carbohydrate intake, limited fibre, and inadequate protein distribution throughout the day. These factors can cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels, contributing to tiredness and irritability. Overindulging can leave your body feeling overwhelmed, resulting in fatigue. Signs include headaches, being dehydrated, bloated, and irritability even in response to minor triggers.
Which is why rest is essential. Resting isn’t just getting enough sleep; it’s also slowing down, eating nourishing meals, and doing what’s necessary so you feel more stable. Taking the time to reset, whether through gentle activity or quiet personal time, will allow your system to repair and regain a sense of normalcy.
Hydration during the festive season
Between hot weather, salty foods, and celebratory drinks, dehydration is one of the biggest contributors to post-festive fatigue. Making hydration a priority helps your body regulate temperature, improve digestion, and reduce headaches. Hydrating fruits such as watermelon
Clients frequently underestimate the impact of alcohol-related dehydration. In practice, encouraging individuals to pair each alcoholic beverage with a glass of water significantly improves post-festive recovery. Including oral rehydration solutions (ORS) rather than sports drinks is often more appropriate for true dehydration, as they provide optimal sodium–glucose balance for absorption, grapes, and oranges can also give your body a healthy boost. If you’ve consumed too much alcohol, adding electrolytes can help restore minerals that the body lost.
Light meals: Giving your digestive system a break
Heavy and rich meals and sweet treats are part of the festive fun, but your digestive system needs some time to adjust afterwards. Choosing light meals helps reduce bloating, indigestion, and that fatigue you feel. Fresh salads, lean proteins such as fish, and whole grains are great for this.
Introducing soluble fibre sources (such as oats, chia seeds, and legumes) can further support gastrointestinal comfort after periods of overeating. Encouraging clients to prioritise balanced meals using the plate model—½ vegetables, ¼ lean protein, ¼ whole grains—can stabilise energy levels more effectively. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help stabilise energy levels throughout the day without overwhelming your body.