Holiday Fatigue | Build Energy to Thrive this Holiday Season
Having the energy to survive the holidays can be challenging whether you are single or have a large family. The busy days and commitments, in addition to last-minute rushing and regular holiday stress, can leave us rundown and depressed, especially with the shorter daylight hours, long nights, and limited sunlight. Here are a few ways to maintain our good spirits and keep our energy flowing.
Be Realistic
Be realistic in your expectations for the holidays. Remembering that less is more. Downsizing, decorating, and gifting can be a lifesaver. Do what brings joy and eliminate those unnecessary “duties”. Obligations can run rampant, and cause increased anxiety and guilt. This can impact both our sleep and eating habits. Make time every day for quiet prayer or meditation. Even 5 minutes of deep breathing and quiet can calm and reset the body, giving us more energy to accomplish our day with grace.
Eat for Energy
Maintaining our daily routine can really make a difference. Continue to eat regularly and have a balance of protein, vegetables, and fruits. Morning fruit smoothies, daily fresh greens with lemon juice, midday veggie snacks, and early dinners can aid digestion and keep energy levels constant. Sugar and alcohol seem to be ever-present and can increase depression and feelings of exhaustion. The delights of this season can still be enjoyed in moderation when combined with staying well hydrated and continuing to eat a well-balanced diet. Add a pinch of mineral salt to your water bottle or a slice of lemon. Lemon and charcoal are great detoxifiers of alcohol. Charcoal tabs daily taken on an empty stomach can absorb toxins of all kinds and keep the digestive tract cleansed. Bedtime protein/carbohydrate snacks can also help to keep blood sugars stable.
Getting the Best Sleep
Establishing a successful bedtime routine is imperative for getting a good night’s sleep. Listening and paying attention to your own rhythms can also help with timing for sleep cycles. Preparing for bed at the same time each night tells the mind to settle for the day. Taking a hot Epsom salt bath and crawling under the sheets with a good book is helpful for some. Others may prefer a protein snack or deep breathing exercise and a cup of bone broth. Many sources recommend keeping electronics and TV out of the bedroom and out of our hands up to 2 hours before bed. Taking supplements such as melatonin, magnesium, or ashwagandha can also be very helpful. When sleep is interrupted at night for any reason, it is helpful to cover the eyes with an eye mask, not only to block light but to calm the third eye, which can awaken easily with “To Do” thoughts. Remember, too, it’s okay to rest quietly mid-day or nap for an hour to allow the body to reset for evening activities.
Enjoying Daily Movement
Kinetic energy is the energy of moving. When we begin to move with intention, we can increase our metabolism, and this, in turn, will give us more energy and produce happy endorphins. If the weather prevents outdoor activities, you can still step outside in the fresh air for a few nice deep breaths every day. Stretching in bed before rising can also improve energy and joint mobility. Inversions are another great way to reset energetically, as they require limited energy. Laying on the floor or bed with feet up the wall for 10 minutes can be wonderful for organs and blood flow to the heart and brain. For those who enjoy daily indoor exercise, a rebounder or small trampoline is wonderful for clearing lymphatics, and 5 minutes of simple bounding equals a 20-minute brisk walk. Turning on the stereo with some favorite music and dancing about the house is another favorite! Whether you like to dance, walk, practice yoga, or participate in outdoor winter sports, movement will give you energy and increase serotonins and joy throughout your day.
Hydration and Nutrients
We can never seem to get enough water! Making this a priority will definitely improve your energy levels and balance cravings. We’ve learned that adding “something” to our water can hydrate us on the cellular level, while plain water will run right through us. That “something” could be a pinch of mineral salt, honey, herb tea, or a slice of lemon added to our water bottles. There are dissolvable nutrient packets available, which can also improve the body’s absorption of water. Getting IV hydration with nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, is an absolutely great way to bypass the belly and get these fluids and nutrients directly into the cells. It brings the nutrients and water directly to the mitochondria, which are the “powerhouse” of the cells, making energy for the body immediately available. This mode of energizing our cells can have immediate effects and can continue to provide increased energy for several days. Regular IV hydration with nutrients can also be a great immune booster and help prevent winter blues and illnesses.
Here are some Energy Building IV Therapies we provide:
The ReBoot - for those mornings after or nights before the big Christmas or New Years Party!
Interested in more information on these therapies? Visit our IV Menu!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us here at The IV Method. May you have the best and healthiest New Year ever!
Ready to boost your energy? Click here to schedule your next IV therapy, or give us a call 509-584-5303 and thrive this holiday season!
