It's officially January, the tail end of the most wonderful time of the year. With parties galore now behind us, everyone has gone a mile a minute rushing around gathering presents and perfect party dishes for their December get-togethers. But too often the holiday cheer from those times gets the best of us, leaving us tired, sniffly and occasionally hungover. We hear them all the time, but these five easy steps will keep you merry and bright well into the new year.
PLAN AHEAD
Snack smart from the beginning of your party and go in with a plan. It’s all about moderation. While the holiday cookie plate is one of the most beautiful parts of the season, limit yourself to one or two (or maaaybe three if you’re really eyeing that gingerbread man). You won’t get a stomachache, and you can munch on other goodies throughout the party. The same goes for drinks: slow and steady wins the race (and saves you from a hangover the next morning).
MAP OUT YOUR PARTY ROUTE
You can’t be everywhere at once, and if you try, you’ll get burnt out on holiday cheer. Plan ahead and prioritize which events and parties you’re going to attend. If you have multiple can’t-miss parties in one night, pace yourself with drinks and don’t overstay your welcome at any one place.
STAY HYDRATED
It sounds simple, and yet so many of us struggle with the task of sipping enough water throughout the day. Aside from keeping skin healthy and glowing, it’ll save you from a dizzy headache the morning after your holiday party. Try carrying around a water bottle on the day of your event to ensure that you get the recommended amount of H2O.
SWAP THE A.M. COFFEE FOR CALORIES
It’s the morning after the big office holiday party, and you’re feeling it. For many of us, our first reaction is to grab the coffee pot and brew a cup of joe to get our day started. Do yourself a favor and opt for calories instead of caffeine. A little bit of breakfast in the morning will give your body something substantial, and you can always add in coffee later.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
Once again, a seemingly simple task, yet on average about one third of American adults garner less than the recommended seven hours of sleep each night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Add that to the even crazier schedule that comes with the holiday season, and odds are that the daily number of hours drops even more around this time of year. Make sure to take weekends to sleep in and reenergize, otherwise you’ll never make it past Christmas Eve!
