Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Then comes January, when it finally sinks in you ate a slice too many of pumpkin pie, drank too much alcohol, or indulged in dinner buffets all month long. Then you go into panic mode for a week, buying new gym gear and cute outfits, renewing your stale yoga club membership, and vowing sugar out of your life. But then the panic subsides and you can almost see all your grand plans melt away into the flurry of a day job, a family to care for, and incredibly tired evenings.
Perhaps that would then be year three of not quite successfully following through with your New Years’ resolutions. But instead of beating yourself up and feeling guilty, make every effort to look out for your health over the holidays instead of undoing every sinful slice of cake by running twice as long on the treadmill.
Here are 5 ways to fight sluggishness and feel energized throughout the holidays:
- Start Christmas Day off right
Your Christmas Day calendar could most likely be fully booked with lunches and dinners, left and right. A great excuse to pig out, yes, but it could leave you feeling sluggish even before the day ends. Start the day off right by having a proper breakfast such as eggs or porridge Instead of indulging on sweets throughout the morning. Doing this will avoid spikes in your blood sugar which will make you feel lethargic before you even start the main course.
- Go Turkey!
Your key is relatively we need even more if served skinless. Eat smaller portions balanced with vegetables and you’ll notice a difference in how you feel and avoid sleeping through the charades.
- Maximize seasonal vegetables
Many winter vegetables are actually already part of our traditional Christmas meal. Carrots and parsnips are rich sources of vitamin K and folate – and the best way to maximize their nutritional content is to steam or boil them instead of roasting. Another Christmas classic are brussels, which contain zero fat and a huge variety of nutrients such as iron, fiber and lots of vitamin C. Adding healthier components to your Christmas meal will do wonders for your energy levels.
- Detoxify through citrus fruits
Fruits in the citrus family have an abundant amount of natural antioxidants. Cranberry is another healthy seasonal fruit rich in vitamin C antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, great for warding off flu and common colds. You can toss in some vegetables like red cabbage and celeriac and whip up a soup for a delicious and nutritious holiday recipe.
- Watch your cocktails
While Christmas is the most perfect time to say cheers to a glass of champagne along with friends and family, alcohol contains loads of unhealthy empty calories that can leave you feeling sluggish throughout the day. The workaround is not to skip alcohol completely, but to stick to low calorie alcoholic drinks rather than calorie heavy wines or the crowd favorite, Bailey’s. It will also do you good to save drinking for later on in the day so you will have more energy to jump in on the festive vibe.
Try a few of these tips and have a healthier, more energized Christmas celebration.
Read the original article by Female First here to see 5 more tips to avoid feeling sluggish over the holidays.
Were these tips helpful? Let us know in the comments below!