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Psychologists offer advice on how to avoid a dip in mood, while gastroenterologists recommend not starting detox diets in the first week of January.
Emotional Exhaustion
Right after the New Year, many people experience feelings of sadness and depression. Those most at risk are perfectionists and women; specialists note that men experience this emotional turmoil half as often. This phenomenon has its reasons. It primarily affects those who take on responsibility and invest more effort into organizing a joyful celebration. Since women typically bear the brunt of the holiday preparations, they often find themselves grappling with unmet expectations. Unrealistic hopes for the holidays can lead to emotional exhaustion when people feel a lack of connection.
On the flip side, the warmth of being close to family and friends, along with the vibrant experiences from winter festivities, can also set the stage for a post-celebration slump. The return to the work routine disrupts the rhythm of life, cools the warmth of communication, and drains social connections. For those who struggle with the return to solitude, the loss of these connections can be a significant factor in post-New Year blues.
A shift in perspective could help. It’s important not to alter your usual rhythm and lifestyle for a “special” date. Psychologists advise against tying excessive hopes to calendar dates. Days on the calendar don’t inherently improve our lives, and the “New Year’s miracle” is more often found in fairy tales and melodramas than in reality. To avoid disappointment and a drop in spirits, engage in your favorite activities and maintain social interactions: don’t reduce the intensity of your communication and find ways to proactively nurture relationships with those close to you after the holidays.
Not the Right Time to Lose Weight
The winter holidays are a calorie challenge. In the cold, we eagerly reassess our diets, adding fats and carbohydrates. The tradition of a lavish New Year’s table disrupts even the strictest dieters. A temporary easing of restrictions on calorie-dense foods quickly leads to noticeable weight gain. Realizing this, people often jump on diets and rush to the gym in the first days after the celebrations, hoping to prevent extra pounds from sticking around. However, this is a mistake: gastroenterologists advise against starting a weight loss regimen immediately after the holidays.
Doctors point out that gaining weight after the New Year isn’t solely due to overeating. Factors like bloating, water retention, and food in the intestines can also contribute to extra pounds. Experts recommend holding off on any drastic measures during the first week after the festivities. Weight loss can begin in the second or third week of January. It will be easier to shed those extra pounds during this time, as the first week after overindulgence typically sees a halt in weight gain.
According to gastroenterologists, effective weight loss is accelerated by a well-functioning gastrointestinal tract performing its three main functions: digestive, enzymatic, and motor. Supporting your digestive system with plenty of fluids is essential; the body should receive 30 ml of water for every kilogram of body weight. If stomach acidity is normal, lemon juice can be added to drinking water. Metabolism can also be boosted by cucumber juice, ginger drinks, mint tea, mate, and hibiscus tea.
Detoxing the Liver
After the holidays, experts recommend switching to a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes moderate consumption of lean proteins and plant-based foods. You can either fast every other day, schedule two detox days a week, or implement daily time restrictions on eating. The simplest and most effective method for weight control is the 16/8 approach—eating during an 8-hour window each day and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. This eating pattern forces the body to burn fat stores during the fasting period when no nutrients are being consumed. The advantage of fasting is that you don’t have to completely eliminate food; you can simply skip breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, it’s important to note that intermittent fasting can be dangerous for individuals with diabetes or liver cirrhosis.
According to doctors, improving liver health after the holidays can be achieved through a diet that reduces fat intake and enhances insulin sensitivity. Did you want to start a new life with the New Year? January is an ideal time to give up alcohol. To detox your liver, refrain from this harmful habit for at least a month. Research has shown improvements in blood pressure, lipid profiles, insulin resistance, and liver function tests among volunteers after a month without alcohol. Along with the health benefits for this vital organ, the alcohol-free diet also helped participants in the control group shed excess weight during this time.
It’s worth noting that after the New Year’s celebrations, doctors see an increase in patients with acute pancreatitis. The strain on the pancreas and liver can lead to serious consequences: if pancreatitis progresses to pancreatic necrosis, it can be fatal. Timely intervention and successful treatment may require a lifelong strict diet. Isn’t that a compelling reason to change your lifestyle? Let’s commit to eating well and taking care of our health in the new year, because a healthy body fosters a healthy spirit.
