How to Reset Your Body After an Indulgent Weekend at ACL
The first weekend of ACL just wrapped up, and with all the fun in the sun, music, dancing, festival food, and possible late nights, your body might be feeling all those indulgences. And hey, that’s part of living life to the fullest! Jamie Wheal’s philosophy of "hedonic calendaring," from his book Recapture the Rapture, is all about choosing intentional times to indulge, but knowing when to bring it back and reset. Here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait until Monday or after a “rough” night to start fresh. You can get back on track any day and any time you choose.
Here’s a holistic guide to resetting and nourishing your body after a fun weekend, so you can feel balanced and recharged.
Start Your Day with Hydration
Kick off your morning with fresh, clean water. Add a squeeze of half an organic lemon and a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt if you can. Here’s why:
Lemon: Boosts your digestion, helps flush out toxins, and is packed with vitamin C for a nice immune system boost.
Pink Himalayan Sea Salt: Helps replenish minerals and electrolytes lost from all that dancing and sweating.
If you don’t have lemon or salt on hand, no worries. Just hydrating with clean water is the perfect start—your body’s craving it after a weekend of sun, fun, and drinks.
Pro Tip: Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) to your water. ACV helps balance your blood sugar, supports digestion, and has alkalizing properties that help your body find its balance again.
Move Your Body (Even Just a Little)
You don't need to dive into a full workout. A few minutes of stretching in the morning can make a big difference:
Gentle Stretching: Open up your body, get your blood flowing, and loosen up any tightness from all that standing, dancing, or just sleeping in weird positions after late nights.
Morning Walk or Yoga Flow: If you’re up for it, a short walk outside or a quick yoga session helps wake up your muscles and refresh your mind.
If you start with just 5 minutes, you’ll find that your body starts to crave more movement, and you’ll naturally build a routine that makes you feel good.
Avoid Social Media First Thing
Trust me, your day feels way more intentional when you avoid scrolling first thing. Ideally, avoid checking social media for the first 1-2 hours of your day. Social media can suck you into a time trap, leading to procrastination and that feeling of starting your day off on someone else’s terms rather than your own. Use that time to connect with yourself—read, write, meditate, or just enjoy your breakfast in peace.
Nourish with Good Foods
After a weekend of indulging, give your body some love with foods that replenish and refresh:
Green Juice or Smoothie: Packed with nutrients, a green juice is an easy way to get vitamins and minerals into your body quickly. Think ingredients like spinach, kale, cucumber, celery, lemon, and ginger. If you prefer a smoothie, add greens, some fruit (like apple or pineapple), and a spoonful of chia seeds for that extra nutrient boost.
Avoid Fried & Processed Foods: These can be heavy on your digestion, making you feel sluggish and bloated. Instead, opt for whole, simple foods like fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Your body will thank you for it.
Skip the “Hair of the Dog”
It can be tempting to have a mimosa or a Bloody Mary to nurse a hangover, but alcohol only dehydrates you further and puts more strain on your liver. Instead, focus on hydration and liver support. Let’s balance that liver and get you feeling great.
How to Balance and Support Your Liver:
Eat Cruciferous Veggies: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage are all amazing for supporting liver detoxification.
Herbal Teas: Dandelion root tea or milk thistle tea are great for liver support and can help flush out toxins.
Berries & Citrus Fruits: These fruits are full of antioxidants that support liver health and help fight off any inflammation in your body.
Get Good Sleep
The best way to reset your body is with quality rest. After an exciting weekend, make sleep a priority. Aim for at least 7-9 hours to allow your body to recover, repair, and reset. Good sleep will balance your hormones, support digestion, and help your brain function optimally.
Wind Down Early: Turn off screens an hour before bed to help your body naturally wind down. If you struggle to relax, a warm bath, some gentle stretching, or reading a book can help ease you into sleep.
Other Quick Reset Tips
Dry Brushing: Use a dry brush before your shower to help exfoliate your skin, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and boost circulation.
Breathe Deeply & Meditate: Taking just 5-10 minutes to breathe deeply or meditate can help ground you and reduce stress. Start your day calm and centered.
Get a facial, massage, body treatment : The lymphatic drainage from bodywork or facials can move toxic waste out of the body and energize.
Balance Your Electrolytes: If you had a lot of alcohol or sweated a ton over the weekend, your body may need electrolyte replenishment. Coconut water, bananas, and leafy greens are great options.
Your Day of Reset, Your Way
It’s all about getting back to feeling your best. Don’t wait for the “perfect time”—start whenever you’re ready to make those small shifts. Your body deserves to be treated well, and when you do, you'll find more energy, clarity, and a sense of balance that allows you to take on whatever life throws your way.
Here’s to starting fresh and feeling amazing—one step at a time!