You don’t need a full-body transformation right now. You just need a survival kit.
A simple, steady, realistic way to get through the month with fewer flares, more stability, and a body that doesn’t feel like it’s fighting you at every turn.
Because December isn’t when your body is “weak.” It’s when your systems are doing triple the work.
Over-Indulgence in Food and Alcohol
Periods of over-indulgence — particularly involving rich foods and alcohol — are common during holidays, celebrations, and times of stress. While occasional excess is a normal part of social life, repeated or intense over-consumption can place significant strain on multiple physiological systems.
Understanding what happens inside the body after over-indulgence can help reduce guilt, replace shame with knowledge, and support more informed recovery choices.
The Digestive System: Overload and Inflammation
Gastric Distension and Delayed Gastric Emptying - Large volumes of food cause gastric distension, stretching the stomach beyond its comfortable capacity. This can lead to:
High-fat meals delay gastric emptying, meaning food remains in the stomach longer, increasing pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter and worsening reflux symptoms.
Increased Acid Secretion
Rich, fatty, and sugary foods stimulate increased gastric acid production, which can irritate the stomach lining and contribute to:
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Indigestion (dyspepsia)
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Heartburn
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Nausea
Alcohol further exacerbates this by directly irritating the gastric mucosa.
Blood Sugar Regulation: Glycaemic Volatility - Rapid Glucose Spikes
High-carbohydrate and high-sugar foods lead to rapid increases in blood glucose levels. In response, the pancreas releases insulin to facilitate glucose uptake into cells.
Large or frequent spikes can result in:
Insulin Resistance Over Time
Repeated cycles of excessive intake, particularly when combined with inactivity, can contribute to reduced insulin sensitivity, a precursor to metabolic dysfunction if patterns become chronic.
The Liver: Metabolic and Alcohol Burden - Hepatic Processing of Alcohol
Alcohol is metabolised primarily in the liver via enzymes such as:
These processes generate acetaldehyde, a toxic intermediate that contributes to:
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Inflammation
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Oxidative stress
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Cellular damage
Fat Accumulation in the Liver
Excess calories — particularly from alcohol and refined carbohydrates — can be converted into triglycerides and stored in the liver, contributing to hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) if habitual.
The Cardiovascular System: Fluid Balance and Blood Pressure - Fluid Retention
High sodium foods increase extracellular fluid retention, leading to:
Alcohol further disrupts fluid balance by initially acting as a diuretic, followed by rebound fluid retention.
Increased Cardiovascular Load
Heavy meals increase cardiac output as blood is diverted to the gastrointestinal tract, which can feel uncomfortable for individuals sensitive to palpitations or fatigue.
The Nervous System: Neurochemical Effects - Dopamine and Reward Pathways
Highly palatable foods and alcohol stimulate dopaminergic reward pathways, reinforcing pleasure-seeking behaviour. While normal in moderation, repeated stimulation can increase:
Sleep Disruption
Alcohol interferes with REM sleep and suppresses melatonin production, resulting in:
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Fragmented sleep
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Reduced sleep quality
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Daytime fatigue
Even when sleep duration appears adequate, neurological recovery may be impaired.
The Inflammatory Response
Over-indulgence can increase systemic inflammation, particularly when involving:
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Refined sugars
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Saturated fats
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Alcohol
Markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) may transiently rise, contributing to:
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Joint stiffness
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Brain fog
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General malaise
This inflammatory response is usually temporary but can feel significant.
Hormonal Disruption - Appetite Hormones
Over-eating disrupts the balance of:
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Leptin (satiety hormone)
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Ghrelin (hunger hormone)
This can result in reduced fullness signals and increased appetite the following day.
Cortisol Interaction
Stress-related eating combined with alcohol can elevate cortisol, which further affects blood sugar regulation, fat storage, and energy levels.
Post-Indulgence Symptoms
- Fatigue
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Bloating
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Low mood
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Brain fog
are the combined result of:
These effects are physiological, not moral failures.
Supporting Recovery
The body is highly adaptive. Recovery does not require punishment or restriction.
Helpful steps include:
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Hydration to support renal and hepatic clearance
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Balanced meals with protein, fibre, and micronutrients
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Gentle movement to aid insulin sensitivity and digestion
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Sleep prioritisation to restore neurological balance
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Reducing alcohol intake temporarily to allow hepatic recovery
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Detox naturally - wear Revs® - to stimulate the liver and kidneys to support the role of these organs efficiently.
A Revs Perspective
At Revs, we view over-indulgence as a temporary physiological state, not a personal failing. Understanding the body’s responses allows for informed, compassionate choices rather than guilt-driven reactions. Health is determined by patterns, not single events.
We designed Revs® so we can offer a therapeutic approach to support people’s health and well-being. Revs® uses Reflexology principles to do this - Reflexology aims to achieve homeostasis - a state of balance mentally, physically and emotionally. Revs® aims to decongest areas of imbalance or toxicity. Try wearing Revs® every day and feel how it changes your health and outlook.