5 tips for recovering from New Year’s Eve

Drink water, lots of water

If December 31st is synonymous with indulging in all kinds of excesses, there’s one thing you should know: you’re not alone! For many, New Year’s Eve is the occasion to have a few drinks, and often much more. On this festive evening, it’s hardly surprising that people go a little beyond the usual rules of moderation. The consequences? Aside from the dubious choreography on the dance floor, you’re usually left feeling profoundly dehydrated to start the New Year on the right foot. So how do you get over the unpleasant feeling of harboring the Sahara Desert in your own mouth? Drink water, lots of water!

How is it possible to be so thirsty when, like a good professional, you’ve spent the whole evening with a glass in your hand? The answer lies in the question itself. Drinking alcohol inevitably leads to dehydration. So three glasses of champagne before bed won’t do you any good – quite the contrary! To get back on your feet, you need to rehydrate properly. To this end, avoid drinks that are too high in sugar, such as soft drinks or fruit juices. It’s also advisable to avoid tea and coffee, as they increase urine volume and thus accentuate dehydration. Instead, simply drink water, or even a good chicory infusion. The latter has the added benefit of helping to detoxify your liver, which seems to be in great need of it, given your exploits of the previous day.

Detoxify your liver

As we’ve just seen, concocting a chicory-based infusion is an excellent way to help detoxify your liver. It must be said that your liver has been put to the test over the last few days. Between Dad’s poultry stuffed with foie gras, Grandma’s homemade mashed potatoes that contain more butter than potatoes every year, and Uncle Jacques’ “homemade” digestifs that would be better placed in the medicine cabinet than on the sideboard, there’s a lot of damage to repair. Indeed, the liver is particularly sensitive to overly rich food and alcohol, which often go hand in hand with the festive season.

As you can see, to get maximum relief for this poor little organ that’s just begging to be regenerated, you can already get the kettle out of the cupboard. Just infuse some chicory seeds for a few minutes, and you’re done! What’s more, chicory is also very useful for restoring healthy intestinal flora and aiding digestion. A tip to be used without moderation, just like unbuttoning your pants once you’ve settled down on the living-room sofa.

Curing evil with evil: a false good idea

Forget, once and for all, this famous piece of advice, which is advice in name only. After a long night of excess, all your body needs is rest. Your stomach and liver are among the organs most in demand during the festive season. So there’s no need to brutalize them by starting the New Year with a glass of champagne and leftover smoked salmon.

If you wake up feeling hungover, it’s because you’re not sufficiently hydrated, and your body didn’t manage to detoxify your liver during the night. Ingesting alcohol is therefore anything but the right signal to send it. As we’ve already seen, water and herbal teas are your best allies in getting back on track. In the same vein, opt for light, healthy meals to take the edge off. So, yes, a steamed julienne of vegetables may not be as sexy as a big hamburger, but it’s the perfect opportunity to get started on your good resolutions!

Be careful not to go too far in the opposite direction

While we can only encourage you to start the New Year on the right foot, be careful not to fall into the opposite trap and impose iron discipline on a body in the throes of regeneration. Sport is an excellent way to help eliminate toxins, but there’s no need to schedule a marathon and do 300 push-ups in the morning.

Rest, hydrate and eat healthily and correctly. There’s no need to start considering a period of fasting to purify your body. On the contrary, after having put so much strain on your liver, stomach and intestines, the best thing to do is gradually return to a balanced diet for a smooth return to normality.

And quite simply, taking care of yourself

Go ahead, it’s allowed! Why go all out on the first day of the year? After a night of dancing, you’ve earned the right to a well-deserved rest. Why not start the day with a hot bath and that nice book you got for Christmas? It’s also a good opportunity to try out the many skincare products and essential oils that adorn your bathroom cupboards, like this chicory scrub that’s just begging to be used!

A breath of fresh air is also an excellent way to get your head back in the game. Physical activity – however light – is always a good thing, especially after an evening of excess. What’s more, it’s reputed to help fight constipation, which can occur after too long a period of inactivity and lack of hydration. The TV marathon slumped on the living room sofa can wait an hour or two, can’t it?

When it comes to guilty pleasures and cocooning, the sofa and remote control are never far away. It’s the perfect opportunity to watch your favorite film for the 38th time, wrapped up in a blanket as soft and comforting as the cup of chicory that awaits you. After all, it’s not such a bad start to the new year…