Practical Tips for Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Alternate Alcohol With Non-Alcoholic Drinks
You do not need to avoid alcohol completely to reduce its impact.
A simple and effective strategy is to alternate:
One alcoholic drink
One non-alcoholic drink (water, sparkling water, alcohol-free option)
This helps reduce total alcohol intake, improves hydration, and often slows drinking pace without reducing enjoyment.
Prioritise Hydration
Aim to start the day with water before coffee or alcohol appears. Keeping a jug of water on the table during meals makes a surprising difference.
Good hydration helps:
Reduce bloating
Support digestion
Reduce headaches
Improve energy levels
Warm drinks such as herbal teas can also be helpful, particularly in the evening.
Build in Gentle Movement
This is not about “burning off” food.
A morning walk, a post-meal family stroll, or a Boxing Day walk provides:
Improved digestion
Better blood sugar regulation
Mood support
A natural break from sitting
It also reinforces that movement is a normal part of the day, not something to resume only in January.
Reduce Stress by Preparing Ahead
One of the simplest ways to support both gut health and enjoyment is reducing time pressure.
Preparing vegetables, desserts or table settings on Christmas Eve:
Reduces stress hormones on the day
Improves digestion
Frees up time to sit, eat and enjoy
Calmer eating almost always leads to better portion awareness and fewer gut symptoms.
Enjoy Food, But Be Mindful of Portions
Mindful does not mean restrictive.
It means:
Eating slowly
Pausing between servings
Choosing what you genuinely enjoy rather than everything available
You can enjoy all the traditional foods without feeling uncomfortably full. Often, smaller portions eaten attentively are more satisfying than large plates eaten quickly.
Don’t Skip Meals Earlier in the Day
Skipping breakfast to “save calories” often backfires, leading to overeating later and poorer blood sugar control.
A light, balanced breakfast with protein and fibre can help regulate appetite and energy levels throughout the day.
Boxing Day: A Reset, Not a Punishment
Boxing Day does not need to be a detox or a restart.
Think of it as:
Returning hydration to normal
Reintroducing fibre (vegetables, fruit, wholegrains)
Moving a little more
Drinking less alcohol
This gentle recalibration is far more sustainable than rigid rules.
Final Thoughts
Christmas is meant to be enjoyed, not endured or over-medicalised. One day of indulgence is not harmful, but weeks of unintentional excess can quietly take their toll.
The most helpful approach is simple:
Enjoy the food
Stay hydrated
Move a little
Reduce stress where you can
Let Christmas be a celebration, not a free-for-all
Health is shaped by what we do most of the time, not what happens on one festive day.
Merry Christmas!