We’ve all been there. You wake up after the holidays, and you feel like you’ve been through the wringer. You’re exhausted. Your energy is low. You don’t know how you’re going to make it through another day of work, or another day at home with your family.
With so much going on, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the season. But there are ways to protect yourself and realign your energy after being around so many different personalities.
Here are five tips to help you keep your energy strong during the holidays:
1. Spend some time alone every day. It might sound counterintuitive, but spending time alone is one of the best ways to recharge your batteries after spending so much time around other people during the holidays. Your brain needs time away from others in order to process what you’ve learned from your interactions with them, so don’t feel guilty if you need a little privacy—you’ll be better able to connect with others once you get back out there!
2. Go outside. Go for walks in nature whenever possible, especially when you feel stressed out or overwhelmed by crowds of people at work or home! Nature is a powerful healer because it makes us feel more grounded, connected and balanced with our surroundings — not just in terms of how we feel physically but also mentally and emotionally.
3. Meditate or do yoga. To center yourself before attending parties or events try yoga or meditation — or even just before bedtime if there aren’t any parties planned for the night ahead of time!
4. Eat healthy foods that nourish your body and mind. Be mindful of what you eat and drink. Be careful not to overdo it on caffeine and sugar; both can leave you feeling jittery, anxious and irritable. If possible, avoid eating lots of processed foods that are high in refined sugars — such as cookies and cakes — because these foods lead to inflammation in the body (inflammation aggravates allergies). Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep hydrated and replenish electrolytes.
5. Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and eat well so, you don’t get sick or run out of energy during these busy days!
The holidays can be so crazy that without some conscious effort, our energy could get drained. Sometimes we have to set boundaries and prioritize the things that matter most. We hope that you make sure to carve out enough time (and energy) during these next few weeks to do things like pay attention to your health, reconnect with your friends, spend time with family and loved ones, to name a few.
