Traditions for 100% healthy

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

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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