The holidays are a magical time to enjoy family and friends, but overindulging in festivities can get the best of us. Try these research-backed tips and tricks to help sustain your energy all season long.
Stay merry and bright
Hydration. Staying hydrated with plenty of water throughout the day helps maintain energy while supporting digestion. This is especially important during the holidays, when many of us are increasing our portion sizes along with our extra celebrations.- Moderation.Enjoy your favorite holiday treats in moderation! Eating too much sugar can cause blood sugar to spike, followed by an energy crash. Balancing healthy snacks is important.
- Plan your portions. While it can be tempting to overload on holiday treats, try to stick with standard portion sizes. Visit MyPlate.gov for ideas on how to build a balanced meal that works for you. Eating the right portion sizes can stabilize blood sugar levels, which helps to maintain energy levels.
- Don’t skip meals. Avoid the urge to skip meals and “save up for later” meals. Skipping meals can negatively impact the brain, mood, and metabolism metabolic health. Missing meals can lead to overeating, which can cause digestion issues and sluggishness.
Sleigh those movement goals
- Keep it up. Regular exercise helps support energy. Stick to your usual fitness routine as much as possible.
- Make it fun. Do holiday workout classes or go for a run wherever you’re celebrating— and bring a friend or relative! Exercising in the company of others helps improve and maintain motivation to stay active.
- Walk it out. Walking after meals has a profound impact on sustaining energy levels. It also helps to improve blood sugar levels, increase blood flow, and activate muscles, which can keep post-meal sluggishness at bay.
Remember, relaxation and celebration are important, too. Strive for balance instead of perfection, and you just might notice an energy and mood boost!
Nutrition Assistant Morgan Adams is a dietetics student in the Applied Health Science program at the IU School of Public Health.