How to Keep Energy Levels Up Through the Holidays
The end of the year is a busy time for many families. There are gifts to shop for, family meals to prepare, and parties to entertain. While it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many, it’s also the most exhausting.
With age, comes decreased energy levels and the holidays can leave one feeling drained and unable to check everything off their to-do list. Give yourself a gift this season and put your health first. We have included tips below to help you renew your energy and promote positive aging.
Eat Balanced Meals
Holidays can make it difficult to stick to a healthy, well-balanced meal plan. With Christmas cookies and desserts tempting you or the convenience of fast and easy processed dinners, you may not be getting the proper nutrients needed.
Whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can give you antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to boost your energy level. It’s important to get the appropriate amount of calories daily that your body needs in order for it to turn the substance into energy. Try avoiding “high-glycemic” foods, which includes white rice and bread, baked potato, and sweet desserts. The foods can cause fast spikes in your blood sugar, and while you may feel a boost of energy, the sugar crash may leave you more drained than before.
Another meal to eat in moderation is red meat. It takes the body more time, and energy, to digest, which can leave you feeling tired after a meal. Meat still carries necessary vitamins that your body needs, such as vitamin B12, but you can supplement with over-the-counter vitamins or non dairy milks including soy and almond.
Drink Plenty of Water
Fueling your body with the necessary amount of water may often times be an afterthought but it plays a vital role in supplying you with energy for the day. Healthline reports that the average adult should consume about 2 liters of water a day, even if they do not feel thirsty.
The body loses water throughout the day through sweat and urine and one must replenish it to not feel the effects of mild dehydration. Not only will the adequate amount of water give your body the energy it needs, but there are also studies that show it improves brain function and mood, prevents headaches, helps boost metabolism and lose weight, prevents constipation, and improves skin hydration plus more. Fuel your body with what it needs or you could experience the uncomfortable consequences.
Get Enough Sleep
While you may be thinking that “getting enough sleep” is easier said than done in this busy time of the year and even when you do lay down in bed, you can’t seem to doze off, there may be a few tips that could help.
Try setting a routine and sticking to it. Go to bed the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. Your routine before bed should ditch screen time and instead involve reading a book, drinking hot bedtime tea, and meditating to relax your body. Do not nap during the day as that can confuse your internal clock, but instead be active.
Get Moving
While maintaining an active lifestyle may have you convinced that it is the reason for your fatigue, exercise and moving more throughout the day is actually a proven technique in boosting energy levels and preventing dips.
Take a morning walk outside to get your day started. The fresh air, movement, and vitamin D from the sun will all contribute to supplying you with the energy you need to get through the day and tackle your holiday to-do list. If the weather is too cold, you can take a stroll around your local mall and shop for the perfect Christmas gifts at the same time! You can also read more about the best low impact exercises for getting older here. Only do as much as you feel you can handle, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. You can gradually add in more exercises and you’ll start to notice how it helps your energy, mood, and overall health.
Talk to a Doctor About Hormones
If the tips above have still proven unsuccessful in boosting your energy levels this holiday season, it may be time to talk to your doctor about hormone replacement treatments.
Insomnia, lack of motivation, and decreased or no energy are all symptoms of a hormone imbalance. No matter how mild or severe your case is, a hormone imbalance can cause a significant amount of discomfort and inconvenience during your days, but it is highly treatable. At Renewed Vitality, we offer safe, effective Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy to help you find your balance and fuel your body for the holidays.
Get the Energy You Need to Fuel the Holidays
You don’t have to limit your activities and planning this season because of your exhaustion. With the tips listed above, you’ll be able to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones and remain the superior host you are every year!
Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
The holiday season can make it difficult to stick to a diet. With plates of turkey topped with warm gravy, mounds of fluffy mashed potatoes, and homemade apple pies being passed around the table, it can be hard to say “no” and opt for healthier options instead. That is, if they are even offered at your meal. But you don’t have to sacrifice your diet, or the meal you’ve been looking forward to all year, with these delicious, yet diet-friendly, dishes.
Would you believe us if we told you that you can still eat stuffing on Thanksgiving without ruining your diet? Well, it’s true with this Thanksgiving Stuffing Poppers recipe! Not only are these savory bites a healthy alternative, but they are also vegan and gluten free. The poppers are made from chickpeas and veggies, and the recipe even includes a cranberry jalapeno sauce so you can get your cranberry fix this season as well!
Rosemary Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
Not a fan of cauliflower? Don’t knock this Rosemary Garlic Mashed Cauliflower recipe before you try it! This dish is a great healthy substitute to mashed potatoes and you may even end up preferring this version over the traditional side dish! It is low on calories, but high on flavor. The best part yet? It’s super easy — calling for only 5 ingredients (cauliflower, cream cheese, garlic, butter, and rosemary) and taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
This Healthy Green Bean Casserole may not be your grandmother’s recipe, but it will still taste delicious and save 160 calories and 12 grams of saturated fat. Typical green bean casserole recipes include a heavy cream sauce and buttered breadcrumbs or cheese, but this recipe uses low-fat milk and whole wheat breadcrumbs instead. Eat up!
Some may deem the turkey as the most important part of the Thanksgiving meal and with this healthy Rosemary Turkey Breast recipe, you don’t have to give the bird up this year! Instead of frying your turkey or marinating it in butter, use seasonings, such as paprika, garlic, and rosemary to add flavor, and roast the turkey in the oven.
Turkey Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash
This main dish replacement may be a little less traditional for Thanksgiving dinner, but you’ll still get your Turkey fix and leave with a pleased palate. If you or your guests are vegetarian, you can simply leave out the turkey sausage from the recipe and stuff the squash with the vegetables, seeds, and seasonings to please everyone’s dietary restrictions.
Yes, you can have your pie and eat it too. This Light and Luscious Pumpkin Pie recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your meal plan. It is only 187 calories for a single slice of pie and nut-free, soy-free, and diabetic appropriate. This pie will be a real crowd pleaser, even to those not counting calories this holiday season.
If you prefer Apple Pie over Pumpkin Pie — or you just want both, no judgement here — try this Cranberry Apple Maple Crisp instead! This grain-free, guilt-free dessert will have you coming back for seconds, or even thirds!
With these simple, delicious, and healthy Thanksgiving meal alternatives, you don’t have to dread your holiday season. Enjoy yourself without worrying about overindulging and ruining your diet.
If you’re waiting until after the holidays to begin your weight-loss journey, there’s nothing wrong with that either. Schedule a consultation with us today and see how our Serotonin-Plus Weight Loss Program may be the right choice for you. Our program focuses on diet, lifestyle changes, and medical supplements.
