Happy Healthy Holiday Habits

Shopping. Wrapping. Cooking. Traveling. Partying. More than any time of year, the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day call for boundless energy. If you don't want to burn out before December is even half over, and still maintain your sanity, try following these five tips from our Los Altos chiropractor.

Five for Five

1. If you want to hit the road running, fill 'er up. Make sure you have a healthy breakfast every day, Even if you are in a hurry, you can make yourself a bowl of old fashioned oatmeal in five minutes by putting it in the microwave. Granola and yogurt is another quick meal. An added bonus - these supply your body with nutrients like calcium, iron, and B vitamins, as well as protein and fiber. People who skip breakfast tend to get grouchy, and 'tis not the season for grouches - unless you're a grinch.

2. Keep on, keeping on - with the exercise. Whether you're a runner, walker, or gym rat, you know how great you feel after a workout. Exercise provides a cleansing break from holiday duties and it's a great way to de-stress. You'll be raring to get back to the tasks at hand. So crank up that iPod, adjust your headphones, and step to it.

3. Silent Night, Sleep Tight. The holidays are no time to skimp on sleep. Getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night will not only make you feel better but has been proven to  boost creativity, improve memory, lower stress, and stave off depression - all of which come in handy this time of year.

4. Be normal. If you don't want to overindulge once the festivities begin, stick to your normal routine. Don't skip lunch; in fact, you should have a normal lunchtime meal. This way you won't be starved going into that holiday party so you can nibble instead of wolf down the hor d'oeurves, and save your appetite for the main course

5. Eat drink and be merry. Enjoy the holidays when they finally arrive. After the five preceding weeks, you've earned it! Just don't over-indulge.