Finding Energy During the Holiday Season

The daily demands on our energy never stop coming — work, family, the house, the upcoming holidays... But like a certain famous bunny rabbit, we've got to keep going. And going! And we all have our strategies for staying revved up and on the move, whether it's a standing afternoon coffee date, a full eight hours of sleep every night or simply taking some "me" time to refresh the spirit. The following energizes according to a recent survey:

Fridays. LOL. Just Fridays.

A catnap. I wasn't always able to nap, but I seem to have acquired the skill since I've gotten into my 40s — it doesn't make up for the wrinkles and lowered metabolism that I also got with my 40s, but it's still nice.

My monthly vitamin B12 injection — it's a godsend for my body.

There are some songs that make me groove and I just can't help it — whenever I get depressed or frustrated, I can put on some favorite music, and it brings me back to myself. It's like coffee that makes you sing.

A brisk walk in the afternoon, a step class at the gym and if all else fails... a large caramel mocha with an extra shot!

Lying down with a really good book helps to get me energized for the following day. It helps to take me to another place and time.

Sometimes the key to getting energy is using energy! If I just get to the gym and get started, then I get a second wind.

On Saturday mornings I go for a walk with my daughter. Even though she has grown into a droopy teenager who would rather go on sleeping till 1pm, she also really enjoys our talks while we are walking. It really wakes you up. By the time we arrive back at the house I have found my mental list of the 80 things I must do today, and I feel ready to begin.

.I think it's partly genes. My mother was finally told by her doctor to retire when she was 82 years old and was still holding two jobs, and I'm just like my mom. I can't stand just sitting around not doing anything.

I thought about this question a lot, because there are a lot of things that give me energy, but nothing revives my spirit and my body more than kindness. Whether I am the one going out of the way for someone else or I observe some kindness out in public between strangers or my almost-13-year-old daughter wants to bring me a glass of water... whatever it is, it always gives me a huge surge of energy and vigor, and it keeps me going a long time.