Be honest – how many bad decisions did you make throughout the festive season? While overindulgence is the name of the game during the festive season, we definitely put our bodies through a lot over the holiday period, and some of us are still in the recovery period. Now while the holidays may be way behind us, there are still plenty of ways to refresh and repair your body from top to bottom to ensure a healthy 2025.
2024 Recovery Guide
Repair your gut
Gut health is so important, but all the alcohol, desserts and rich foods you ate over the festive season can wreak havoc on the gut – especially if you’re not used to eating that way.
A healthy gut is essential for a healthy immune system, healthy skin, improved mental health and better weight management. A sign of a healthy gut is the correct ratio of good bacteria, and one of the best ways to feed good bacteria is with fibre.
Most of our diets lack fibre, and an easy way to include more of this essential nutrient is by adding Cool Stool to your diet. This tasty 100% raw, high-fibre super seed mix is scientifically formulated to boost gut health. Add it to your morning smoothie, yoghurt, porridge, or baked goods like muffins. It’s a tasty and easy way to start the gut repair process and get your gut back on track.
Cool stool retails for R145 and can be purchased here.
Soothe tired muscles
If you spent a lot of time swimming, hiking or doing other physical activities this past December, your muscles may be feeling a little tired. So, why not try regular Epsom Salt baths?
The magnesium in Epsom Salts can aid muscle recovery, soothe tired muscles, reduce inflammation and promote good sleep and relaxation. Try the paraben- and formaldehyde-free Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Epsom Salt to revitalise tired and achy muscles. This 100% natural formula contains moisturising coconut and lime extracts and conditioning shea butter.
Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Epsom Salt retails for R375.00 and can be purchased here.
Hydrate your skin
Unhealthy foods, sugar, alcohol, and sun exposure all dehydrate the skin, which may explain why so many of us are currently struggling with our skin right now.
The best thing to do is commit to a quality skincare regime now and stick to it. This means cleansing and moisturising twice daily and protecting your skin from the sun all year round. If your skin needs additional hydration and repair, I suggest using a protective face mist and intensely moisturising balm like SKNLogic Renew Mist, retailing for R220.
It contains Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl), known to attack and break down pathogens and repair skin thanks to its antimicrobial properties. There’s also SKNLogic Derma Repair Balm (R305.00), which is a soothing balm that restores irritated, tired and dehydrated skin. Formulated with nature’s most potent ingredients, this balm provides deep and lasting relief from dryness and damage.
Also, it’s not just your face that gets dry – you may also notice increased dryness on your arms and legs due to sun exposure, seawater or chlorine from the swimming pool.
For this, Skin Oil From Africa Rosehip Oil’s intensely nourishing body oil is a great option to apply after a shower or bath as it moisturises skin and locks the moisture in. This variant is designed to treat dry skin, and to give skin a much-needed boost.
Grab it here for R40.
Sun protection
Protecting your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays should be on everyone’s New Year’s resolutions list. Protect your skin against further sun damage with Hada Labo Tokyo’s Sun Face Cream SPF 50 (R300) for your face and Sun Protection Body Cream SPF50 (R300) for your body.
Both products contain the brand’s Super Hyaluronic Acid™, a super hydrating proprietary combination of 3 hyaluronic acid types that puts moisture back into the skin while protecting it against UVA and UVB rays.
Aromatherapy for new year stress
The start of the year can be daunting, especially once you turn off your out-of-office response.
As such this may be a good time to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine. Essential oils allow us to address physical and mental challenges naturally, and without side effects.
SOiL’s Remedy Rollers are a straightforward way of incorporating essential oils into your daily life. These on-the-go rollers consist of therapeutic blends to help support and combat the day’s emotions and events.
The Energy Remedy Roller (R50) is an excellent option for the start of the year as the blend of organic clary sage, lime, cypress, and black pepper awakens the mind and body.
Another splendid option for the start of the new work year is Inspire Remedy Roller (R50). Filled with lime, mandarin, and spearmint essential oils, Inspire recharges the mind, boosts creativity and helps up energy levels.
While the festive season was great, many of us may still be feeling it, weeks into the new year. If so, follow these simple tips to get back on track and get 2025 off to a great start. Your mind and body will thank you!
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