Our most popular blog is back and includes more of my faves than ever before! Whether you’re suffering from food, alcohol or other over indulgences, sleep deprivation and/ or emotional runoff associated with the season, you can feel better and have more energy now by practicing these tips. Best part, these can be used all year round to avoid acting like the Grinch. I recco CHOOSING LIGHT, TOP SHELF LIQUORS (vodka or tequila are the preferred) over dark liquors (brandy or whiskey). But whatever you choose, STICK WITH ONE TYPE OF ALCOHOL. Light liquors have fewer “congeners" (a minor toxic chemical element of alcohol that gives it it's distinctive characteristics) which may contribute to hangovers.
WHAT IS A HANGOVER? Although there is no official definition, a hangover is the crummy feeling that follows a night of excessive alcohol or unhealthy food and includes at least two of the following symptoms: headache, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue. Drinking drains and interferes with the body’s absorption of vitamins and minerals such as: amino acids, B12, B6 and folic acid, calcium, magnesium, and more. Eating foods that you may have allergies or sensitive to like gluten, dairy or sugar, can have the same draining effect on your brain and body-leaving you sluggish and bloated. Simply put: Alcohol is a toxic substance. When you ingest toxins of any kind (and as far as I’m concerned that can include being around emotionally toxic environments/people,) it may result in dehydration, lack of sleep and other side effects to throw your body out of balance. FOOD WHAT TO EAT BEFORE THE DAY OF YOUR EVENT:
WHAT TO AVOID:
PRACTICE MINDFUL EATING HABITS Chew your food UNTIL IT’S THE CONSISTENCY OF BABY FOOD + EAT ONLY UNTIL YOU’RE 80% FULL. HEALTHY FOOD STAPLES TO HAVE ON HAND AT HOME-YOUR SHOPPING LIST:
YOUR PARTY DAY PLAN:
DAY AFTER PARTY TIPS SLEEP IN if you can or follow the next two steps and go back to bed. UPON RISING & THROUGHOUT THE DAY
7. EAT: BREAKFAST-After you’ve done steps above, have a breakfast with healthy alternatives to the normal greasy, hangover foods. See ideas above. LUNCH & DINNER: Turkey Burger-no bun or Amy’s Organic Pizza or Rice Pasta. 8. RINSE: Take a shower. A good shower, although it does not treat the symptoms of the hangover helps you feel revitalized. Use warm water, not hot and finish with a 30-60 second cool rinse. Or take a cleansing Epsom Salts bath. 9. MOVE: Only if you’re well hydrated take your fave SOUL CYCLE or other spin class, a light jog, or 25 minutes on the BELLICON. They’ll make you smile and release some endorphins. If you are sleep deprived and you go to class it can make you feel worse. In that case, opt for a couple of planks + 3 sets of pushups + 30 squats. 10. LAUGH: Too tired to go to class? Watch a funny movie. Love Actually is one of my holiday faves. Laughter always makes us feel better. Whatever you do, don’t call that friend that’s always in a bad mood. You’re likely to feel a little depressed if tired, hungover so you want to avoid negative people. 11. SWEAT: I live for my SUNLIGHTEN INFRARED SAUNA and try and sweat 3-6 days a week. If you can’t get to in one of Sunlighten’s, any dry sauna-especially the one at THE RUSSIAN BATH HOUSE will do. Three x 20 minute rounds with short breaks or dips in a cold plunge is optimal but pace yourself and be sure to take electrolytes and that your hydrated. 12. SUNSHINE and the FRESH AIR, even if only for a few minutes. Our body in order to function properly needs oxygen. Find my Amazon Shopping List of Hangover Prevention Tools/Remedies HERE.
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The fifth of my eight essential habits for living your best life at any age is - no surprise - exercise. Since it’s summer, this week’s blog is about how to make your workout the most efficient, effective AND fun with my outdoor fitness faves. Most of us know the side effects of not exercising, but most people don’t realize that sitting too much can lead to depression and other mental health problems. And according to world renowned Functional Medicine Doctor, Jospeh Mercola “There is a growing scientific consensus that the more time you spend sitting, the shorter and less healthy your life may be. Excessive sitting, such as at a desk or in front of the TV, significantly impacts your cardiovascular and metabolic function.” SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN BENEFITS OF EXERCISING OUTDOORS We all know that when we move/exercise we usually feel better mentally and physically and, provided we don’t eat too much, we look better as well. But few know there are scientific studies that show there can be greater benefits to exercising outside (over indoor): physically, emotionally AND psychologically which include:
MY FOUR OUTDOOR FAVES 1. NATURE WALK/JOG Walk on the beach (preferably barefoot) with a buddy, listen to fave book on tape or meditative music, call a friend who makes you laugh or just listen to the crashing waves. So good for the soul. 2. STANDUP PADDLEBOARDING (SUP) There are so many reasons to love my fave sport of all time - SUP. Almost anyone can do it, and it can be done on most bodies of water - especially flat lakes and bays. Below are my SUP workout picks:
3. JUMPING IN THE OCEAN If you’re lucky enough to live on or near a beach, you likely know well the historic healing powers of the ocean. I’m livin’ on Amagansett Beach this summer and already I feel like a new person. NYC dwellers who don’t have more than a day to getaway, jump on the subway and go to Rockaway Beach. I once headed there with my surf board in tow and had a great solo session on the ocean. You can also rent SUPs n’ boards and instructors when you get there. Can’t surf? Try Boogie/Body Boarding. I’ve been doing it since I was 9 years old and it’s just as fun as surfing for most people and a lot easier to learn. Most kids can learn as soon as they’re decent swimmers. Can’t swim? Now’s a good time to learn. My fave Hamptons swim instructor-esp for kids: Deborah Lakeman Stuck in office this summer? Check out THIS video of a few or my fave, short, easy do anytime/anywhere exercises (scroll to the 5 minute mark for my segment). And check out number four which can be done indoors or outdoors. 4. MINI TRAMPOLINING ON THE BACK PORCH When the weather allows, and especially if there’s not a good path or road to walk or jog on, this is always my fave way to get some fat burning, core work and overall feel-good time in. Benefits of using the Rebounder:
TIPS for Mini Trampoline: I travel with mine. And I keep one permanently at each of my parent's houses:
GENERAL EXERCISE TIPS:
Have fun everyone and tag me on your outdoor Instagram exercise pics @mindbodyreboot and follow me @magenbanwart on twitter or Instagram to catch some of mine. |
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