The joys of the holidays are many–reconnecting with love ones, savoring traditional favorites around the table, and, of course, exchanging gifts!

After hustling around decorating your home, sending out cards in a timely manner, wrapping presents, baking (gluten- and dairy-free) goodies, attending family gatherings, and making sure everyone is having a magical time, the holiday season can be a true whirlwind–and before you know it, the new year is here!

Feeling run-down and spread a bit too thin can be expected this time of year. However, if you’re one of the many people who continues living a hectic lifestyle and eating an imbalanced diet long after the last decorations have been stowed away, your health can quickly spiral downward. You may even be setting yourself up for more serious issues down the road, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, adrenal fatigue, hormonal and mood imbalances, thyroid problems, and autoimmune conditions.

So if you’ve gotten a little too swept up in the festivities and need to reboot, these 6 simple tips can help you recover from the stresses of the holiday season, regain your energy, and get you ready for a happy new year!

1. Get Back on Board with The Myers Way®

Now that the holidays are over and you’re free of temptations and the urge to please others by trying every dessert your guests bring over, you can start taking care of your body through gut-friendly food and supplementation.

If you’ve gotten off track, don’t beat yourself up! Just get right back on board with The Myers Way®. Ditch toxic and inflammatory foods and focus instead on a nutrient-dense diet of vegetables, fruits, grass-fed meat, and wild-caught fish. And when you do want to indulge, choose natural, autoimmune-friendly options such as those found in The Autoimmune Solution Cookbook. You can make your own sweet treats using coconut sugar, stevia, and other all-natural sweeteners. Check out my handy guide for AIP cooking and baking swaps for common ingredients such as gluten-filled flours dairy, eggs, and refined sugar.

Were you a little too naughty this year and need some extra help recovering? Opt for gut-friendly supplements to repair any damage your gut may have sustained over the holidays from a few too many cocktails and desserts. I never go a day without drinking a mixture of Leaky Gut Revive™, Collagen Protein, and Organic Greens. Leaky Gut Revive™ and collagen help curb sugar cravings and support a healthy mucosal lining, while Organic Greens supplies an abundance of alkalizing, inflammation-fighting greens and superfoods in a convenient powder form.

2. Recharge Your Immune System

Cold weather and holiday stress can run you down and deplete your immune system. A healthy immune system is your best defense against infections and other health issues. Along with optimizing your diet using The Myers Way®, you can further support immune function with my ImmunIG™ and Acetyl-Glutathione.

ImmunIG™ is a fantastic way to support your immune health, especially during the winter months! It contains supercharged colostrum, a special time of mammalian milk produced only immediately after giving birth. Colostrum is a concentrated source of immunoglobulins, which bind to viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and inflammatory proteins from the foods you eat and carry them safely out of your body.

I often find that my patients with autoimmunity are low in glutathione, a nutrient produced by the liver that can be found in almost every cell of your body. Glutathione boosts your number of white blood cells, the immune cells that defend your body against infections and disease pathogens. Glutathione is a potent free radical scavenger. It also supports energy production and aids your body’s ability to detoxify, which is essential after holiday indulgence.

3. Combat Stress and Adrenal Fatigue with Adaptogens

If your adrenals are struggling from burning the candle at both ends this holiday season, then this tip is for you! Your adrenal glands regulate the stress hormone cortisol. Ongoing stress, lack of sleep, drinking alcohol, and eating a poor diet can overwork your adrenals and lead to adrenal fatigue. Running on empty is no way to start the new year!

Enter my secret weapon for supporting adrenal health and a balanced stress response: adaptogens! Adaptogenic herbs or ‘adaptogens’ are a group of herbs that have been used for centuries by Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to help your body adapt to stress. Adaptogens increase your body’s ability to cope with stress, regulate cortisol production, help combat fatigue, and boost your vitality.1

My favorite stress-relieving adaptogens include:

  • Ashwagandha: relieves pain, boosts adrenal function, and supports thyroid health2,3
  • Maca: combats adrenal fatigue, improves mood, and balances hormones4
  • Ginseng: reduces chronic stress, fights inflammation, and helps prevent autoimmune conditions5
  • Rhodiola: increases energy and improves concentration6
  • Eleuthero, or Siberian ginseng: helps decrease fatigue, supports restful sleep, and improves physical and mental performance7,8

Adaptogens can be found in powdered or capsule form. I personally swear by Adrenal Support, which contains a powerful blend of ashwagandha, ginseng, eleuthero, and Rhodiola. Adrenal Support also includes B vitamins, vitamin C, and other micronutrient building blocks for adrenal hormones to support your overall adrenal health.

I also recommend my Organic Greens Superfood Juice Powder, which includes ashwagandha and maca for stress relief, optimal immune function, hormonal health, and vitality. It’s also an easy and delicious way to get your daily dose of greens! Simple, everyday greens are great for your mental health, and offer folate and magnesium to help further relieve stress and anxiety.

4. Exercise

It happens to me, too. After a busy holiday season, you may not feel energetic enough to jump right back into your exercise routine. However, your body will thank you later on! That’s right, although it might seem counterintuitive, exercise can actually boost your energy levels. As a result of regular activity, you will benefit both physically and mentally in the long run, feeling more energized and less stressed.9

The key is to start slow. Challenge yourself without pushing yourself too hard, too soon. Start your day with a stretch. Mix up your exercise routine by including cardiovascular exercises, such as swimming, biking, walking, or aerobic classes; strength training, such as weight lifting or bodyweight exercise; and low-impact routines, such as yoga, tai-chi, or pilates. Stay active throughout the day: take the stairs, get up to stretch during your work hours, and take a short walk during lunchtime.

Getting outdoors is the perfect opportunity to move your body and to connect with nature at the same time. Plus, you get the added benefit of energizing sunlight! Bundle up if it’s too cold–just take time to breathe in the fresh air and energize your cells in the outdoors.10

5. Make Time for Yourself

Spending time with loved ones during the holidays is such a blessing! That being said, it can also prove difficult to make time for yourself when you’re focused on friends and family.

To overcome stress and fatigue, your mind, body, and soul need and deserve some quality me-time!11 Do something every day to relax, relieve stress, and show yourself some love–whether it’s taking a hot bath, going for a walk, meditating, journaling, or practicing yoga. I offer suggestions for many stress-relieving activities and tools in my books, The Autoimmune Solution and The Thyroid Connection. Remember, there is no one right way to relax, so choose methods that you enjoy and which work best for you.

6. Remember to Be Thankful

The holidays are the perfect time to express your love and give thanks for your blessings. Maintaining this attitude and practicing daily gratitude is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress and to be present in your life.12 Try keeping a gratitude journal in the morning and evening, or simply pause throughout the day to remember “the little things” that you might otherwise take for granted. My husband and I have a ritual of offering each other five appreciations before we go to sleep. It’s a simple and quick way to fill each other’s heart with love.

I’d like to end by appreciating YOU:

  • I appreciate you for making a commitment to yourself and your well-being.
  • I appreciate your continued support of me and my mission to empower people to take back their health.
  • I appreciate you for being active in our community and inspiring those around you.
  • I appreciate you for taking a stand and doing what you know is right for you and your health.

Are you ready to tackle next year head-on? Are you ready to say goodbye to stress, fatigue, and anything else that has held you back from being your best self? By following these tips and making The Myers Way® a way of life, YOU will have the power to reclaim your health and enjoy high energy and high spirits all year round. Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year!