By Nadia Steinle.
Mardi Gras is A Marathon, Not a Sprint.
Whether it is your first festival season, or your 10th, it is always important to remember that Mardi Gras is a marathon, not a sprint. What does this mean? In 2026, there are over 80 parades from January 6th to February 17th, Fat Tuesday. While all parades are special, with so many to choose from, it's important to pick and choose your battles, and plan ahead for which parades you want to see. During this 6-week span of time, it is easy to space out your partying; however, as the days get closer to Mardi Gras, it is important not to get burnt out by trying to see it all.
Pre-Parade Preparations
Maybe you are planning to be out in the cold morning waiting for a spot, or jumping around in the afternoon sun. Regardless, hydration is one of the key aspects to preparation. Staying hydrated can help you avoid dizziness, dehydration and feeling sick. Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day leading up to Mardi Gras, and continue this through the festivities. Also, for an added electrolyte boost, bring packets of Liquid IV or LMNT with you to take on-the-go. Another good thing to put into your festival bag is snacks. You never know when you will want a quick pick-me-up, and better safe than sorry. Alongside this, think about bringing a small bag of medicine or a mini first aid kit, in case of an emergency. Finally, try to get in some movement and strength training before Mardi Gras. Chances are, it will be hard to find time to get in a good workout during the festivities, so try and feel good and strong before the fun begins.
Optimizing Nutrition
As mentioned before, staying hydrated is something that is so important to remember, especially when you are on your feet, dancing, and out and about all day long. Aside from staying hydrated, don’t forget to prioritize a good breakfast on long festival days. What does this mean? Aim for a breakfast filled with protein, fiber, and carbs to keep you feeling full and energized. Instead of heading out on an empty stomach, try and make some eggs and toast or a bowl of oatmeal with your favorite toppings. When it comes to lunch and dinner, don’t skip these meals! To avoid feeling sick or crash when you're out, remember to eat a snack you packed or go enjoy a good meal out in New Orleans for dinner!
Don’t Forget To Sleep.
In the midst of all of the fun of Mardi Gras, it can be easy to pull an all-nighter or sleep for just a few hours. However, this can lead to brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and irritability. Take advantage of Festival Break to the fullest, but just try to get 7-8 hours to sleep, in order to enjoy your break to the fullest capacity. Wake up feeling more refreshed every day, feel better, and have more fun! If you find it hard to get that much sleep, shoot for a short nap in the afternoons to help your body reset. Whether or not you are getting in that much sleep, finding some time to wind down and relax will help your body regardless.
Staying Active
Staying active can be difficult during such a fun time of the year, so don’t stress! Enjoy the fun of Mardi Gras, and remember how much walking you will be doing through the day. However, if you are looking for a nice mental reset, try to do low-impact cardio and strength training, as opposed to HIIT workouts and heavy strength training. With the lack of sleep and optimal nutrition, your body is not in the place to recover and benefit from heavy workouts, so try to do something light. If that even sounds like too much, maybe implement a 10-minute yoga or strength exercise every morning to warm up the body and prepare for the fun day ahead!
Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
Our health should always be a priority, but during Mardi Gras, it's all about balance. Enjoy everything Tulane and the city of New Orleans have to offer during this time. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this time, and have fun!
