New Year's Eve 2012: Healthy Ways To Celebrate

New Year's Eve: Endless waterfalls of crisp champagne, party-pumping pop music and the perfect, sequined outfit. Yea, right. In reality, it's usually more like an "open" bar with hour-long waits and watered-down drinks, a stranger spilling a mystery substance down the front of your over-priced outfit -- and, ah yes, January 1's infamous hangover.

This year, why not do things a little differently? Below are eight healthy ways to ring in the New Year. We'll be making our toast to stressing less about this ordinarily high-pressure evening, and celebrating by doing the things that make us feel good, plain and simple. Let us know how you'll be ringing in the new year in the comments below!

• Dance The Night Away

  Three reasons to shake your groove thing this New Year?s Eve: 1.Dancing can burn upwards of <a href="http://www.healthstatus.com/cgi-bin/calc/calculator.cgi">350 calories per hour.</a> 2. Dancing can improve <a href="http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/10409/1/Health-Benefits-of-Dance.html">your sense of self</a> -- and make you feel super confident. 3. Dancing <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022252">may boost your memory</a> and lower your risk for dementia. And a fourth? It's just so fun.

• Drink ... Responsibly

  Many of us toast to the new year and new beginnings. But here at Healthy Living, we're giving you a nudge to keep moderation in mind. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/30/drinking-benefits_n_1233544.html">You'll reap</a> the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-williams-phd/post_977_b_746290.html">health benefits</a> that are tied to alcohol <em>and</em> be able to enjoy the first day of the year without the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/28/alcohol-effects-body-infographic_n_2333328.html">scary effects</a> that come with overdoing it.

• Take A Midnight Yoga Class

  Downward dog as the clock strikes 12? Why not? <a href="http://stralayoga.com/news/new-years-eve-yoga/">Lots</a> of <a href="http://www.gaiaflowyoga.com/media/new-years-eve-celebration/">studios</a> offer New Year's Eve yoga classes, so you can bend your way into 2013. You?ll reap the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/yoga-stress-inflammation_n_1702316.html">many</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kripalu/yoga-benefits_b_1975025.html">benefits</a> that <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-michael-j-breus/yoga-insomnia_b_1939696.html">yoga</a> has to offer, clear your head and, who knows, maybe even secure that recommitment to yoga you've resolved to for the coming year.

• Enjoy A Celebratory Smooch

  Chances are, you were planning to plant a peck on someone special at midnight. Smooch on! Kissing can increase oxytocin levels, which helps to reduce stress, anxiety and even your blood pressure, <a href="http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/sex-and-love/5-health-reasons-make-time-cuddling">Shape reports</a>. You can sneak in a little calorie burning while you're at it: Kissing can burn anywhere from <a href="http://www.self.com/health/2010/08/five-benefits-of-kissing-slideshow#slide=5">two to six calories per minute</a>. That may seem insignificant, but hey, we'll take it.

• Run A Race

  Maybe 2012 wasn?t your year. While we never recommend running from your problems, running toward a solution -- in this case, a clean slate -- might be your best bet. Whatever your reason (and we?re in full support of running strictly for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/28/running-effects_n_2206584.html">endorphins' sake</a>) signing up for a <a href="http://www.race360.com/newyears/">midnight run</a> is a great, healthy way to ring in the new year. Many races end with a celebratory glass of bubbly -- so you can still hang on to old traditions while making new ones.

• Volunteer

  While we tend to think about giving back more on Thanksgiving and Christmas, New Year's Eve should be no different. Do some research on local shelters or hospitals that are in need of some extra hands. Besides making the New Year better for others, you'll be happy to know that giving back can help release those feel-good hormones like <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/terri-cole/volunteering-health_b_2189477.html">serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine</a>. You'll remember 2012 as the year you gave back and enter 2013 with some good karma to your name.

• Host A Potluck

  With paper plates. And plastic cups. Take the pressure off serving a perfect, gourmet meal and have all your friends pitch in this year. And since everyone is contributing, you won?t have to worry about <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/20/healthy-christmas-cookies_n_2340766.html">specific dietary needs</a>. Plus, you?ll stress less without the thought of dirty dishes looming over your head <em>and</em> you?ll have more time to enjoy quality time with your friends.

• Have A Healthy Mentality About The Night

  Whatever your plans, the most important thing may be to lay off on the pressure. We often hype up New Year?s Eve as the night of all nights, and end up disappointed. This year, why not make an early resolution to be present at your celebration, enjoy the company you keep and see the opportunity that tomorrow brings.

• Related Video: How To Kiss Someone On New Year's Eve

For more holiday stress busters, click here.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/31/healthy-new-years-eve_n_2376492.html

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