Overeating can happen to anyone, especially as we get closer to the holiday season. Going to family dinner parties, enjoying a company potluck, or just sitting on the couch watching holiday movies can all lead to overindulgence.

It might seem like a good idea at the time to have “just one more” helping of mashed potatoes and stuffing, but your body will soon start to remind you that overeating is not in your best interest. You might get physical symptoms like bloating, fatigue, nausea, headaches, stomach cramps, and indigestion.

Not to worry. We’re here with a helpful survival guide that will get you feeling like yourself again after you’ve gone a little overboard.

7 Tips to Help Feel Better After Overeating

In many ways, getting through the symptoms of overeating is simply a matter of time. Eventually, the food will digest, and you’ll start to feel more like yourself.

There are a few things you can do in the meantime, though, to feel better. Here are our seven favorite tips.

Don’t engage in negative self-talk

First things first. Don’t use this time to criticize yourself for overeating. It happens to everyone! It’s just a mistake, and you’re going to do better next time. So instead of stressing about the past, focus on what you can do now to feel better in the near future.

Resist the urge to nap

Taking a nice, long nap might sound good immediately after a heavy meal, but that can lead to even more issues like heartburn and indigestion. That’s because your body is still going to digest your food as you sleep. It’s better to wait an hour or two for your food to settle before you lie down for a nap.

Sit up straight

If you can’t nap, you might as well flop on the couch, right? Not so fast. It’s better to keep your body upright to encourage digestion. Stand up, walk around, or just sit straight in your chair as you chat with your friends.

Go for a walk

Taking a short stroll around the neighborhood is an excellent way to encourage digestion and help yourself feel better. Don’t focus on speed or calorie burn here. Simply enjoy the feeling of moving your body.

Do some gentle stretching

Twist stretches are excellent for moving food through the digestive system. Sit on the floor with your legs extended. Bend your left leg and bring it over your right thigh, placing your foot flat on the floor.

Keep your back straight, and place your left arm behind you for support. Now, take a deep inhale and raise your right arm. As you exhale, gently twist to the left, trying to look over your left shoulder as your right arm comes to rest on the outside of your left leg. Stay here for three breaths before gently releasing and doing it on the other side.

If you’re at a work dinner party or some other function where you can’t easily spread out on the floor, you can do this move from your chair. Keep your legs flat on the floor. Then gently twist your body to the left. Hold for a few breaths, then do the same thing on the right side.

Sip some tea

Stick with herbal teas, especially mint and ginger, as these are good for helping with digestion. The natural sweetness can also serve as a healthy form of dessert.

Stay hydrated

Even though you feel full, you still need to hydrate, especially if your meal was full of sodium. Sip on water the rest of the day and evening. Add some lemon to further aid digestion.

Improve Your Health and Mobility with StretchSPOT

If you’re looking for ways to get healthy this season, try stretching! At StretchSPOT, we’re here to help you gain mobility and flexibility through stretching. Our flexibility technicians can help you improve your overall flexibility and target specific problem areas.

Book your appointment to get started!