It was our July long weekend, and I really over did it. But not in the way you might think. Canada Day celebrations, fireworks, sunshine, lots of food, booze, late nights can leave you sore, achy and feeling hungover the following day.

That's not why I'm slow to get going this morning. I spent my long weekend with my dance troupe in rehearsals for our up coming show. 2 days of 12 hour rehearsals. Oh my aching everything!

We've all done it. Whether you have overindulged in too much food and booze or over did it exercising there are some quick and easy ways to get you back on track.

1. First of all, Hydrate! I can't stress this enough. No matter what your activity was, drinking, sweating, sunning, you are likely already dehydrated. Your body needs proper fluids to repair tissues, to detoxify alcohol, to help you digest and eliminate. Water is your best friend. However you will probably need to replenish your sodium and minerals as well. For a great homemade electrolyte drink, check out my previous post Sunburns and Sports Drinks.

2. Rest. Your body does it's best repair work while you are sleeping. So rest, sleep, relax. Now is not the time to super clean the house (sorry family!). Yes, now that you've hydrated, you'll probably have to get up a couple times to go to the bathroom, but that is a good thing. Your body uses fluids to repair and detoxify while you are sleeping. If you go to bed dehydrated you'll wake up with a worse hangover and it will take longer for you to recover.

3. Refuel. It's important to fuel your body and replenish any depleted nutrients caused by your overindulgence. Protein is important to support your liver- it controls detoxification and repair. If you had too much booze, you'll need extra B vitamins- think brightly coloured berries. A smoothie with some protein powder (or seeds) would be great for you. After strenuous exercise I'm looking for foods with extra iron. My favourite breakfast after a long night of dance is a Greek omelette: 2 eggs, feta (for sodium), spinach (iron) and cherry tomatoes and/or red peppers (B vitamins) with a piece of gluten free seeded toast (carbs to support adrenals).

4. Hydrate. Yes, again. I know it's tempting to drink that whole pot of coffee-I had 2 cups while writing this blog post! However coffee is a diuretic and will dehydrate you further. I have a love/hate relationship with coffee. I love the smell, the sharp bitter taste and buzz of energy I get after drinking it. However I know that it doesn't help me heal my adrenal fatigue and it interferes with mineral absorption. Keep that in mind. Moderation is the key. After a night or weekend of overindulgence- try to drink at least 2 cups of water for every cup of coffee you have!

5. Use ice and painkillers in very limited amounts. Tylenol and Advil may help you feel better quickly, but  they can be damaging to the liver and digestive system. Try a homeopathic medicine such as Arnica or Traumacare cream or pellets. These are great painkillers and help the body heal inflammation without harming the liver or digestion. The same goes for injuries. Ice can help temporarily relieve some pain and inflammation, but it is working against the body's natural repair systems. When an injury happens, fluids and blood cells flood the area to help speed healing. Instead of fighting against your body's natural healing system, work with it and use homeopathic medicines to help you heal faster.

6. Get moving. Ok, now it's time to get the blood pumping again, get the lymphatic fluids moving and wake your body up. Be gentle with yourself. Go for a short walk, do some gentle rebounding, go for a swim or get a good massage. You could probably clean the house now, if you really wanted too! Even with strains and sprains some gentle movement like swimming will help. Injuries will get worse when the fluids and swelling stays stagnant (doesn't move). Gentle flexing and rotating and elevating the injured limb can help speed healing. If you have torn a ligament or tendon immobilization and medical attention is recommended.

7. Repeat. Again, be gentle with yourself. Take care of your body. If you need help with detoxification, liver support and injuries, I'm here to help.

Remedies

Need some quick fixes? That's where Homeopathic medicines shine. Here are a few that can help you heal, recover and get you going.

• *all removed to comply with the government’s censorship of promoting natural health products. Demand a repeal of Bill 47 sections 500-504. see www.nhppa.org for more information

• When in doubt, contact a Registered Homeopathic Practitioner for help. 

Sore Muscle Scrub

This has been a staple in my house for years now. It is a very soothing body scrub; use it in the shower or before you have a bath and let the aromatherapy soothe your muscles and mind. Plus it's easy to make. Here's what you need:

• 1/2 cup fine salt - I use a coloured sea salt for all the added minerals

• 1/3 cup oil -coconut oil melted, almond oil, even olive oil are good. I use a magnesium chloride oil to aid muscle relaxation or dandelion oil when I have it.

• 1 tsp cinnamon- this increases circulation and blood flow to all your aching parts

• 10-15 drops eucalyptus essential oil- this opens airways and increases oxygen to the body

• 10 drops lavender essential oil- this is very calming and relaxing for mind and muscles

Mix all ingredients together and adjust essential oils to your preference. My whole family uses this scrub, but I would not recommend it for children under 5 years of age because the eucalyptus can irritate little airways.

Hope this helps you recover faster and feel your best, no matter what adventures come your way. :D

The information provided here is for educational purposes only. For treatment please seek a qualified health care provider.

Copyright Lisa Paul The Natural Path 2016