The days after Christmas and New Year celebrations usually come with a full stomach, disrupted routine, and a digestive system that feels sluggish. When digestion is sluggish, we can also see a dip in our energy and mood. And let’s face it, no one has time for that. Rich foods, irregular meal times, travel, and less movement all affect how your gut functions, which in turn affects how the rest of your body functions.
Your body responds best to consistency and support, not restriction or guilt. Here's some tips and ideas for getting your digestion back to baseline, without the detox or self-pity dramatics.
1. Start with Warmth
Cold drinks slow digestive function, especially when your system is already working harder than usual. Start your morning with a mug of warm water with lemon, or a cup of PROPPR-tea: MoVE or SooTHE.
MoVE supports motility and liver function. SooTHE calms inflammation and bloating. Both work better when your digestive tract is warm and circulation is moving.
Why it works: Warmth increases blood flow to the gut and signals your digestive system to start functioning.
2. Fiber + Hydration
After a week (or more) of indulgent eating, your gut needs two things: water and fiber.
Focus on:
- Vegetables with every meal
- Chia seeds, flax, or oats
- Water between meals (herbal tea counts)
Why it works: Fiber feeds your microbiome and moves waste through your system, while water keeps everything hydrated and functional.
3. Bring Back Routine
Your digestive system thrives on rhythm. When meal times, sleep schedules, and movement patterns are inconsistent, digestion suffers.
Get back to basics:
- Consistent wake time
- Regular meals
- Chew your food slowly
- Walk after eating
Even small amounts of consistency help regulate appetite, motility, and elimination.
4. Support Your Liver
Your liver processes everything you ate and drank over the holidays. So, it's working overtime right now.
Herbs that support liver and digestive function include:
- Dandelion root
- Turkish Rhubarb
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Fennel
You'll find many of these ingredients in our PROPPR-teas: MoVE and SooTHE. They support detox pathways and reduce digestive discomfort without harsh cleanses.
5. Move Your Body
Movement increases circulation to the gut and supports natural motility. You don't need intense workouts. Try:
- Walking
- Gentle yoga
- Stretching
- Swimming
Why it works: Movement supports lymphatic flow, reduces inflammation, and helps your digestive system function more efficiently
6. Use PROPPR 😉 Elimination Posture
If you've been traveling or eating differently, your bathroom routine has probably shifted too. Get back to using your PROPPR.
A squatting posture supports complete elimination by relaxing the puborectalis muscle and straightening the colon. This matters even more when your digestion is sluggish.
Why it works: Anatomy. When your body is positioned correctly, elimination is easier and more complete.
7. Calm Your Nervous System
Your gut and nervous system are connected. If you're stressed, rushed, or overtired, digestion slows down.
Simple practices that can help:
- 10-minute wind-down before bed
- Deep belly breathing
- Reduce screen time before sleep
- Prioritise rest
Why it works: A calm nervous system supports enzyme production and smoother digestion.
Finally, Skip the Extreme Detoxing for Now
Your body doesn't need juice cleanses or restrictive diets to recover. Harsh detoxes after a few weeks of over-indulging can be stressful and often counterproductive.
Instead, focus on consistent, daily support: warmth, hydration, fiber, movement, routine, and rest.
What This Comes Down To
Digestive discomfort after the holidays is normal, but temporary. Your body knows how to regulate itself when you give it the right support.
You don't need to punish yourself or over complicate this. Just get back to the basics: eat regularly, move consistently, stay hydrated, use proper elimination posture, and support your gut with herbs that actually work.
Your digestion will find its rhythm again. And if it needs a bit of gentle help, our PROPPR-teas are here to make things easier.