Hot cross buns, Easter eggs, and the odd alcohol beverage… Does this sum up your Easter long weekend? If you ended up indulging more than you’d care to admit, you’re probably feeling tired, bloated and a little guilty. And while it’s completely fine to indulge every now and then, it’s equally important to resume your healthy habits ASAP so you can get back on track and feel your best!

Follow these six steps and you’ll be back in the swing of healthy living before you know it!

1.       Eat a balanced diet

After eating all those tasty (read: calorie-dense!) foods over the long weekend, ensure you reset your body by returning to a balanced diet. Fill each meal with essential nutrients to fuel your body throughout the day including lots of fruit and veg, healthy fats (avocado, nuts and olive oil), slow release carbs (brown rice, sweet potato and bananas) and high-quality protein. Bestow’s latest cookbook ‘Savour’ is just the thing if you’re looking for mealtime inspiration - a collection of nutritious and delicious one-dish savoury meals that celebrate organic, locally-grown, seasonal vegetables. Yum!

2.       Start your day off right

A nutritious breakfast is essential as it sets the stage for the rest of your day, and by eating the right foods first thing you can help keep your cravings in check. For example, if you start the day off with sugar, there’s a high chance you’ll continue to crave it throughout the day. We recommend kick-starting your day with a delicious Bestow ‘Love your Gut’ smoothie – a feast of superfoods to maximise your gut and skin health!

3.       Exercise routine

Getting back into exercise ASAP is great for your mental as well as physical health, and after a few days off now’s a great time to switch up your routine! Sign up for an outdoor boot camp, attend a group class at your local gym, swim some laps, or try out some Youtube workouts at home. Spending at least 30 minutes a day moving your body will not only help burn off those unwanted calories, but will also cause your brain to release endorphins – feel-good hormones that trigger feelings of happiness and contentment.  

4.       Prioritise sleep

The average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night; any less affects concentration, memory, and energy and stress levels. Lack of sleep also puts you in constant search of caffeine or sugar pick-me-ups, which add extra unnecessary calories to your diet! To help you wind down of an evening, opt for a herbal tea to calm the body and mind before hopping into bed. Check out Bestow’s delightful range of nutritional herbal teas here.

5.       Meditate and journal

In order for you to be the best version of yourself it’s vital to take time out for yourself every day – even if it feels counterintuitive! We’re all busy, but taking the time to meditate for five minutes when you wake up or before you go to sleep, going for a walk on your lunch break or trying some simple deep breathing exercises can be so beneficial for your wellbeing. If you have the time, we recommend further developing a practice of gratitude while you’re taking time for yourself. Feelings of gratitude help move your body into parasympathetic nervous system mode which slows your heartbeat and allows for healing, rest, repair and restoration. Use the Bestow Blessing Journal to help you write down what you’re grateful for each day.

6.       Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Hydration is key to warding off feelings of hunger and banishing that post-Easter bloat. 2-3 litres a day will cleanse your body of toxins and unwanted sugars – helping get your body back into a healthy, balanced state. If you’re not great at keeping your H2O levels up, we suggest keeping a reusable water bottle in your handbag and taking small sips from it throughout the day. You can also infuse your water with fresh fruit to make it more appealing!