Tips to Stay Healthy This Christmas

By Coconut Spice Yoga & Naturopathy

The Christmas season is full of joy, celebration, connection… and often a little excess. From long lunches to late nights, indulgent treats, bubbly drinks, and travel, it’s easy for our bodies to feel overwhelmed.

If you’re craving a Christmas that feels lighter, calmer and more energised — these simple Ayurvedic and naturopathic practices will help you stay balanced while still enjoying every festive moment.

1. Stay Hydrated

With warmer weather, busy schedules and festive drinks flowing, hydration is one of the most supportive things you can do for your body during the holidays.

Here’s how to keep your system happy:

✨ Sip hot water or herbal tea throughout the day

Warm fluids gently cleanse the digestive system, encourage toxin release, and support smoother digestion — especially helpful when eating richer meals than usual.

✨ Try chamomile or fennel tea after meals

Both herbs calm the nervous system and help digest heavier foods like seafood, turkey, potatoes, desserts and Christmas puddings.

✨ Balance alcohol with hydrating fluids

If you’re enjoying wine, cocktails, or sparkling this season, alternate each drink with:

• Water

• Coconut water

• Herbal tea

Coconut water is especially helpful as it replenishes electrolytes naturally, without the artificial colours and sugars found in many commercial sports drinks.

2. Spice It Up

Ayurveda teaches that adding warming spices to your meals helps “ignite the digestive fire” (Agni), allowing your body to process food more efficiently.

✨ Add spices like:

• Ginger

• Coriander

• Cumin

• Cinnamon

These can be sprinkled into roast vegetables, added to salads, blended into dressings, or infused into teas.

Why it helps:
Warming spices improve circulation, nourish the digestive organs, reduce bloating and support your metabolism — making it easier to enjoy festive meals without discomfort.

3. Don't Overeat

This is easier said than done I know!

Take a small portion. You can always go back for more.

Slow down, chew your food properly and take breaks. Put your spoon or fork down between mouthfuls and take a rest so your brain has time to process the food and send signals that you're full!

Eat fruit first before a big meal so it doesn't ferment and cause gas, as it digests more quickly.

4. Keep Moving

Go for a walk after lunch to aid digestion and circulation so you don't feel so heavy.

Exercise boosts your immunity, helps digestion and reduces stress at a busy time of year.

Yoga also helps digestion and stimulates metabolism so get a few sun salutations in to start your day!

5. Add Probiotics

Kefir or kombucha feed on sugar and can help to break down excess Christmas pudding you've eaten !

Sauerkraut with meals can act as a digestive enzyme, increases good bacteria and absorption.

Instead of reaching for another champagne, have some sparkling water with bitters, or rosewater and mint and some kefir - Yum!

Your head and gut will thank you in the morning!

5. Aid Digestion

Take lemon or apple cider vinegar in warm water first thing in the morning to activate the fire in your belly and digestive enzymes ready to digest that big meal.

Slippery elm before a big day of drinking can line your stomach and soothe any inflammation and irritation from alcohol.

6. Limit Sugar

Sugar is yummy yes, but it's so addictive and can lead to headaches, reduced immunity and gut inflammation.

Reduce added sugar where you can in drinks and desserts and use cinnamon, vanilla and fruit instead of white sugar. Maple syrup is also better than white sugar.

Eat dark chocolate with low sugar content i.e. 70% cacao, which is lower in sugar and dairy.

Have a soda and fresh lime between champagnes to reduce sugar.

Bringing It All Together

The holidays don’t have to throw you off balance. Small, loving choices help your body stay grounded, vibrant and nourished — so you can actually enjoy the season rather than recovering from it.

Hydration, warming spices and mindful eating are simple ways to care for your nervous system, digestion, energy and immunity during this busy time of year.

If you’d love more holistic tips, grounding practices or nourishing recipes, keep an eye on my newsletters — I’ll be sharing even more support to help you glide through the next few months feeling well and centred.