This time of year, it’s all about eating, drinking and being merry! And experts say there are some holiday habits you might have thought were “bad” that can actually help you stay happy and healthy all winter long. Here, see the study-proven ‘don’ts’ do you should do to keep your immunity up, metabolism humming and spirits high.
Spiking your eggnog boosts immunity
The eggs in this yummy seasonal treat are packed with nutrients (branched-chain amino acids) that boost your immune system’s production of virus-killing antibodies, Egyptian scientists say. This shores up your protection against everything from colds to COVID, plus it can cut your recovery time in half if you’re under the weather right now. Love adding a splash of rum or brandy to your eggnog? The alcohol in those spirits helps energize a key group of immune cells (phagocytes) that kill invading germs on contact.
Also smart: Gently stirring a pot of soup while it bubbles on the stove or relaxing while you watch the coffee pot slowly filling is a form of stress-taming meditation. And University of Florida investigators say those calming breaks where you focus on the here-and-now activate 220 genes that help your immune system find and destroy invading germs more quickly.
Taking a break from exercising revs your metabolism
This is a fun (but oh-so-busy) time of year. And if you’re not in the mood for a chilly outdoor stroll or a long trek to the gym, don’t feel guilty about skipping your usual workout and enjoying a blissful, restorative nap instead. Chinese research reveals that just catching up on sleep makes fat-burning metabolism soar. Plus it steadies blood sugar and tamps down hunger pangs and food cravings, providing the same slimming benefits that exercise does.
Also smart: If you’ve been counting calories lately, feasting on your seasonal favs could help you slim 55 percent faster, report University of Pennsylvania scientists. Their study review found that enjoying a “diet holiday” where you alternate lower calorie days with higher calorie days makes sticking to a healthy eating plan easier and keeps your metabolism high.
Screen time banishes the blues
You’ve heard about the downsides of too much screen time. But if you often feel meh this time of year, spending a little time online every day could be the ticket to a truly happy holiday. Research out of Oregon Health & Science University suggests that regularly finding fun or interesting tidbits on social media, then sending them to loved ones so they know you’re thinking about them, can prevent blue moods as effectively as face-to-face visits can.
Also smart: Catching up on other people’s news via a little friendly gossip is a study-proven way to heighten cheer. And it can pull you out of even a deep funk as quickly as Prozac can, Johns Hopkins researchers say. Feeling “in the know” prompts your brain to release a mood-steadying hormone oxytocin.
Procrastinating restores stamina
In the midst of all of the holiday hubbub, you might feel guilty tossing your to-do list aside, putting up your feet and doing absolutely nothing. Yet you’ll have more energy and stamina—and you’ll be far more productive—if you do. A study published in the journal PLOS One found taking regular breaks on busy days rejuvenates and re-energizes a sluggish nervous system. And Belgian investigators say it can cut your risk of draggy fatigue in half if you make it a daily habit.
Also smart: While you’re picking out the perfect, thoughtful gift for each of your loved ones, toss a little something in your cart that’s just for you. Scientists reporting in the journal PeerJ say the happiness boost that comes from treating yourself kindly (even if it’s just picking up a new shade of nail polish) can energize you for hours at a stretch.
Snacking on cookies deepens sleep
If you often crave a little treat at the end of a long day (who doesn’t?) here’s happy news: A study in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition suggests nibbling a carb-rich bedtime snack—like a few cookies, a slice of pie or a little fruit-topped ice cream—can reduce your risk of restless sleep and even insomnia. Experts say the brief blood glucose spike that occurs soon after eating sweets turns off your brain’s production of the alertness hormone orexin, making you feel sleepy and ready to snooze in as little as five minutes.
Also smart: University of Delaware scientists say you’ll drift off more quickly and sleep more soundly if you watch an hour of TV at bedtime. Focusing on a show (whatever genre you love) quickly calms a busy brain, allowing sleep-deepening theta waves to form.
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
