A Gentle Post-Holiday Reset
I hope your holidays were filled with joy, connection, and delicious moments, the kind that warm the heart and feed the soul. But even the happiest celebrations can leave us feeling a little out of rhythm. Richer meals, disrupted sleep, travel, gatherings, stress, emotions… it all adds up.
And that’s okay.
This is the perfect moment to pause, reset, and step into the New Year with intention.
Whether you stayed fully AIP through the holiday or gave yourself permission to loosen the reins a bit, here are gentle, supportive ways to help your body and mind rebalance so you can start 2026 feeling grounded and nourished.
6 Post-Holiday Reset Tips to Support Your Body
Without Restriction or Shame
1. Focus on hydration before anything else.
Dehydration alone can make you feel more tired, inflamed, foggy, or snacky than usual.
Start your mornings this week with a tall glass of water and added electrolytes. I like using trace mineral drops and a pinch of Himalayan pink salt. Herbal tea or warm lemon water is another excellent way to flush, restore, and reset your system. Adding a tablespoon of L-Glutamine powder mixed with room temperature water first thing in the morning is also a great way to support the health of our gut lining.
2. Bring nutrient density back into the spotlight.
After holiday foods, even AIP ones, your body loves a return to:
- leafy greens
- colorful veggies
- high-quality proteins
- Broths
- berries and cooked fruits
- healing fats
This isn’t about restriction but rather rebalancing, and it’s one of the most important ways to help strengthen the immune system.
3. Get back to steady mealtimes.
Irregular eating during the holidays can disrupt digestion and blood sugar regulation.
For the next few days, gently return to three solid meals or two meals + a supportive snack to help your system find its rhythm again.
If you struggle with blood sugar dysregulation, aim to eat within 2 hours of waking and avoid eating within 2 hours of going to bed.
4. Prioritize sleep and earlier nights.
Holiday schedules often mean late evenings, irregular sleep, or traveling across time zones.
This is the week to restore your circadian rhythm. Think: cozy nights, dim lights, warm baths, herbal teas. If you choose to enjoy some screen time, blue blockers are a must to help reset your inner clock.
Getting 10 minutes of natural daylight on your face as close to waking as possible is another scientifically proven way to regulate circadian rhythm.
5. Support your nervous system with simple practices.
A calm nervous system = better digestion, better immunity, better everything.
Explore mindful eating practices such as:
- 3 deep breaths before meals
- Taking a moment to connect with your food and where it came from
- Thinking of a joyful memory
- Saying grace or naming something you’re grateful for
Additional support tools:
- A short walk after dinner
- Light stretching
- Practicing yoga or tai chi
- Five minutes of quiet with your hand on your heart
- Journaling to release stress, process emotions, or reflect on small wins
- These micro-practices actually create macro shifts.
6. Re-stock your kitchen with supportive foods.
Decision fatigue is real after the holidays.
Having AIP-friendly meals ready helps you regain rhythm with ease, not willpower.
Check out places like FullyHealthy.com to restock AIP pantry staples.
And of course, Urban AIP is here to help restock your freezer with deeply nourishing, chef-prepared meals for a smooth, supported transition into the New Year.
Final thoughts
As you move through this in-between week, the quiet space between celebration and new beginnings, I hope you give yourself permission to slow down, breathe deeper, and nourish yourself with intention. Healing doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from consistency, compassion, and caring for your body in the small moments. May these next few days help you reset, realign, and step into 2026 feeling grounded, supported, and deeply renewed. I’m so grateful to walk this journey with you, and I wish you a beautiful start to the New Year, filled with clarity, nourishment, and joy.