Traditions for 100% healthy

The key to staying happy, healthy and energized? Tapping into the healing power of cherished Memorial Day traditions

Restore stamina by visiting loved ones

Enjoying the company of family and friends at a casual backyard barbecue can instantly erase sluggishness and a blah mood. And saying yes to even a few of these cheerful gatherings could help you stay more energized all summer long, according to a report out of the University of Michigan. That's because spending time with your favorite people energizes a key brain region, the hippocampus, that increases alertness and fights fatigue.

OR GRILL A BURGER!

Beef, pork, chicken, salmon...enjoying your favorite protein-rich fare three times weekly helps you power through busy days with more energy. Turkish scientists say a stamina-boosting form of iron (heme) found in animal products renews your vim and vigor.

Watching a sunset banishes brain fog

A blast of fresh air and natural light revs electrical activity in the brain for up to 24 hours, helping you stay clear-headed. For the biggest boost, Austrian scientists suggest heading out around 8 PM to enjoy the sunset. They found that sunsets are so awe-inspiring that they can boost brain function better than a starry sky or gorgeous rainbow can.

Heighten happiness by surprising a soldier