The holidays are a special time, rich with connection, celebration, and yes, plenty of delicious food. Even if you stayed mindful of your AIP goals, it’s completely normal to feel like your choices weren’t as aligned as you would’ve liked. Maybe you enjoyed a few extra treats, tried a family recipe you weren’t sure about, or simply ate more than usual.
First things first: you didn’t fail, and you’re not starting over. You’re simply picking back up with intention, and that’s what matters most.
Below are a few gentle, practical tips to help reset your body, your routine, and your mindset after a few days of holiday indulgence.
1. Start With Hydration Before Anything Else
After rich meals or bigger portions, the body often feels sluggish simply because it needs to flush out excess sodium, sugar, and inflammation-triggering foods.
- Begin your morning with warm lemon water.
- Aim for steady hydration throughout the day.
- Add electrolytes (AIP-compliant) if you’re feeling puffy or fatigued.
Hydration alone can make you feel back on track within 24 hours.
2. Return to Your “Baseline” AIP Meals
Instead of trying to be perfect, choose a few simple, nutrient-dense meals you know make you feel great.
Think:
- Baked salmon with greens
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Bone broth with chicken and veggies
- Simple stir-fries
This is less about restriction and more about reminding your body what a good normal rhythm feels like.
3. Add in Extra Anti-Inflammatory Support
Food can do a lot of the heavy lifting in helping you reset. Double down on natural anti-inflammatory ingredients such as:
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Leafy greens
- Blueberries
- Homemade bone broth
These small choices help calm your system without feeling like a detox or cleanse.
4. Get Back Into Routine Slowly
Transitioning back to your typical eating patterns doesn’t need to happen overnight.
Try:
- One balanced AIP meal → then two → then the whole day
- Planning your next three meals (not the whole week)
- Prepping just the basics: proteins, a starch, and some veggies
Reducing friction is the key to regaining momentum.
5. Prioritize Sleep and Light Movement
Inflammation often increases when sleep is disrupted, and the holidays can impact our sleep schedule more than we realize. Pair better sleep with:
- A light walk
- Gentle stretching
- A short yoga flow
- Deep breathing work
You don’t need intense workouts; your body will appreciate ease and consistency.
6. Practice “Compassionate Accountability”
This is all about acknowledging your choices without guilt, then choosing differently moving forward. A helpful mindset shift:
- Instead of: “I messed up.”
- Try: “I celebrated, and now I’m choosing what feels better for me.”
The AIP lifestyle is a journey, not a set of strict rules.
7. Plan Something You Look Forward To
Resetting shouldn’t feel like punishment. Add something enjoyable to your return to routine:
- A new AIP recipe
- A fresh grocery haul
- A cozy cooking session
- A fun family walk
- A new flavor of herbal tea
Joy is a crucial ingredient in long-term healing.
Final Thoughts
A few days of holiday foods don’t undo your progress or derail your healing. What matters is how you gently guide yourself back to the habits that help you feel your best. With simple steps, hydration, nourishment, and a dose of self-kindness, you’ll be back in your AIP rhythm quickly, and maybe even more inspired than before.