6 Healthy Ways To Bounce Back After A Decadent Getaway

The same things that make the 4^th of July holiday so magical—stuffing your face with tasty, grilled foods; soaking up the sunshine for hours and staying up far too late watching dazzling fireworks—are the same things that are making you drag post-celebration. Now don’t get us wrong, we all love fireworks and patriotic-themed treats as much as the next person. But the bottom line is its just tough—if not impossible—to bounce back to 100% after days and nights of celebrating—right?

So, if your Independence Day celebration has you feeling low on energy, extra bloated and a few pounds heavier, you aren’t the only one. But not to worry, there are simple ways to get back on track with your healthy habits—and feeling better than ever—post-holiday.

1.    Grab a cold one. Chances are that in the midst of your holiday fun, drinking water probably wasn’t at the top of your to-do list. And who could blame you? Fresh juice or soda pairs well with a burger.

Unfortunately, though, eating salty foods, consuming sugary drinks and/or alcohol, and spending ample time in the sun, compounds dehydration. So grab a cold bottle of water to fight off fatigue, remove toxins, improve concentration and mood, deter headaches, ease constipation and boost your metabolism. And remember, you should be getting at least 8 glasses daily.

2.    Catch some rays. Before you pack your beach tote, we aren’t talking about planting yourself next to the pool all day long. Instead, we are talking about getting some sunlight first thing in the morning.

Not only will this help to reset your sleep-wake schedule, it will also help to boost your mood and energy levels, while also lowering your blood pressure.

3.    Be kind. Overeating and under-sleeping is a dangerous combination—one that would leave just about anyone feeling crappy. And while we all know that indulging doesn’t do your health any favors, there’s no need to beat yourself up about it.

After all, this will only make you feel worse than you already do. Make sure to give yourself time to reset after all the stress, energy and effort that went into celebrating this festive day. Don’t worry, the gym will still be there tomorrow.

4.    Fill your tummy. While it might sound counterintuitive to continue eating when you feel bloated and full from that delicious 4^thof July menu, it’s important to replenish your body with whole vitamins and nutrients.

Eating unprocessed foods—lean protein, fruits and veggies—will help to reset your digestive tract. Even better, reach for fiber-filled foods, like oats, beans and berries, to continue moving things through your bowel. And try eating earlier in the night to ensure that a full tummy doesn’t interfere with a sound night’s sleep.

5.    Snooze it up. The best part of the 4^th of July happens after dark. Unfortunately, this translates into much later bedtimes for most of us. So, if you’re tired from a late night (that was totally worth it) this doesn’t necessarily mean that a siesta is in order (bummer!).

Instead, you’re likely better off waiting until your routine bedtime so you’re tired enough to sleep through the night. And set up your room to be sleep friendly: cool (ideally 68 degrees or less), free of any electronics (blue light impacts sleep pattern), quiet (or a white noise machine) and an extra comfy, supportive mattress.

6.    Get Moving. One of the best ways to revive yourself after a day (or two) off of your healthy routine is to get moving again. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to boost your metabolism and perk-up your energy and mood.

If you’re just itching to get outside for a sweaty exercise session, make sure to watch for signs of heat cramps (pain/spasms in legs, excessive sweating and flushed skin), heat exhaustion (dizziness, nausea, headache and cold/clammy skin) and heat stroke (confusion, slurred speech, rapid heartbeat and breathing).

If you notice any of the above symptoms that could be result of a heat-related illness, make sure to seek immediate medical care. At GMC, our emergency departments and Children’s Emergency Center, are open to care for you and your family 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are staffed by expert doctors and nurses specially trained in emergency care.

While heat-related illnesses can be an emergency, if you’re experiencing other minor illnesses and injuries, you can count on the experts at ChoiceOne Urgent Care. With care available seven days a week, 8 A-M to 8 P-M, they can provide comprehensive care that’s close to home.