Staying Energized During the Holidays

Today, the holidays are more important than ever to me because they give me a deeper understanding of family. Special seasons allow the more distant family to come together. I love catching up with those whose presence eludes me throughout the rest of the year. Spending time hearing about how my family’s lives are unfolding is memorable.

The holidays are a fun and busy season full of extra errands, travel, and entertaining. If you and your family want to make the most of these special times together, there are plenty of natural and effective ways to keep your energy levels up.

Eat Smart

1. Avoid big meals. Your body has to work harder to digest those substantial holiday dinners. Try to eat more slowly and limit your portions.

2. Reach for healthy snacks. Complex carbohydrates will give you energy fast. Protein provides fuel for the longer term as well as healthy fats. Make a salad of walnuts and winter greens.

3. Eat more fiber. Foods rich in fiber help your body break down carbohydrates at a steadier pace over a longer time. That gives you more stamina. Feast on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

4. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Your blood will flow more easily, transporting the oxygen and nutrients your cells need. Try munching on foods that are high in water content like celery sticks and grapefruit.

5. Eat breakfast. You’re bound to feel fatigued unless you refuel in the morning. A healthy breakfast will also make it easier to resist fattening snacks or overeating at later meals.

Sleep Well

1. Take a nap. Brief naps of 20 minutes or less will help you recharge. Just closing your eyes for a few minutes can also be refreshing.

2. Watch out for extra caffeine. Those chocolates and peppermint-flavored coffee drinks may put you over your limit for caffeine. If they’re keeping you up at night, cut back.

3. Drink alcohol in moderation. A cocktail may help you fall asleep faster, but it interferes with the quality of your sleep. Try to avoid any alcohol within a few hours of bedtime.

4. Place a curfew on online shopping. You can shop for gifts all night on the Internet, but you’ll feel the effects the next day. Turn the computer off a couple of hours before retiring to adjust your mind and body after the mental stimulation and bright screen.

5. Stick to a regular schedule. Holiday parties and travel may interrupt your daily routines. As much as possible, getting up and going to bed at the same time each day will help you stay in top shape.

Lifestyle Tips

1. Exercise every day. A brisk walk or other moderate aerobics will wake you up and pump more oxygen to your brain. Take the stairs at the shopping mall and park farther from the entrance.

2. Clear away clutter. You’ll feel more restful when your surroundings are in good order. Recycle those gift wrappings and tidy up after parties to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

3. Alternate between tasks. Baking hundreds of cookies and wrapping mountains of gifts can be tiring. Switching off between jobs can help some. Even better, recruit family and friends to divide the load.

4. Manage stress. Feeling more stress this time of year is natural. To help prevent this, listen to relaxing music, meditate or talk with friends. A positive outlook can make handling extra tasks more manageable.

5. Focus on giving. Giving to others is the best part of the holiday season and the most effective way to stay energized. You’ll feel motivated to accomplish more with less effort when you think about making others happy. Share your time and attention with the people you love and do some volunteer work to connect with others in your community.

The holiday season can be demanding, but simple lifestyle changes are usually enough to keep you alert and merry. Enjoy playing games and watching old movies with the ones you love. Those memories last a lifetime and only become more engrained with each holiday get-together.

RECIPE

ENERGY JUICE