In recent months, I’ve committed myself to cutting back on my coffee intake — with a limit of one cup of regular brew per day. In the past, I would make a pot of coffee in the morning and sip on it throughout the day. One cup at the break of dawn, one around mid-morning, and then a pick-me-up between 3 and 4 p.m.

Now that I’m enjoying only one mug of joe every 24 hours, I’ve noticed that I relish it like never before. I sit down, hold the cup snugly in my hands, breathe in its sweet aroma, and take my first sip. There’s no rushing around the house with a quick swig here and there. For me, that cup of coffee in the morning is to be savored … because it’s the only one I’ll get.

This morning, as I was tenderly cradling the mug in my hands, it occurred to me that all things seem to taste, look, and feel better when they’re in limited supply. 

The recession has forced many of us to cut back on our consumption of items we previously may have taken for granted, whether it be dinners out at a restaurant, new clothing purchases, or home renovations. But I think that there’s a case to be made that the special-occasion dinner out tastes a lot better when it happens once a season instead of once a week. 

In the end, we may discover that doing with less leaves us with a greater sense of appreciation for the luxuries we do have — when we have them.

With a rather indulgent Thanksgiving weekend just behind me and several weeks of holiday reveling waiting in the wings, I am trying to strike a healthy balance between celebration and responsibility.

I’ve read plenty of magazine articles that purport the idea of actually dieting during the holidays. A trick that one writer suggested (and one that I’ll never forget) was to eat a bowl of cereal prior to attending a social gathering. That way, party-goers won’t be tempted to eat all of those delicious, once-a-year goodies. The self-deprivation approach may work for some, but it definitely isn’t for me.

I have always been a believer in embracing life to its fullest – and that certainly means drinking a little eggnog and eating a few Christmas cookies every December. But I also know that I need to take care of my body to be able to enjoy all of the other fun activities of the season. 

Here’s my plan for enjoying some of the decadent food and drink of the season, while still making some healthy decisions for my body:

Water

An herbalist once told me that, based upon my body weight, I should be drinking about 80 ounces of room-temperature water per day. I rarely do. But with the heat in my house cranking, this is a good time of year to start. From my hands to my eyes, I’m definitely in need of better hydration. And it’s such an easy lifestyle adjustment to make. Although I crave warm beverages (like tea and hot chocolate) as the temperatures drop, I will try and balance those mugs of steaming beverages with plenty of water.

More Tea – (And Less Coffee)

Most health experts agree that too much caffeine is not a good thing. I really enjoy a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. But there’s no reason it can’t be mostly decaf. When I buy coffee these days, I try and fill my bag with 3/4 decaf beans and 1/4 regular beans. That way, I can drink more than one cup (which I always do) and not do a number on my body. If I need a little pick-me-up later on, then a cup of black tea seems to be a healthier choice. And herbal tea, of course, is probably the best.

Fresh-Air Exercise

Depending upon the weather, this can be a very tempting time of year to exercise indoors, if at all. But I think that there are untold benefits to breathing a little fresh air while we move our bodies. A daily run or walk definitely keeps my energy up and probably helps me make other good-for-my-body decisions throughout the day.

Warm Baths

At the end of the day, I need a little treat for myself. But I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be something sweet. Slipping into a hot bath with a cup of herbal tea and a gigantic glass of water by my side, I can completely skip that scoop of ice cream or handful of chocolate chips. Plus, I’m relaxed and ready for bed at the end of it .. which leads me to my last tip for good health this holiday season.

Quality Sleep

If I’m tired, then I tend to lose my focus when it comes to healthy habits. I am more likely to eat too many sweets, drink too much caffeine, and not exercise enough. So ensuring a good night’s sleep is key to optimal health. This time of year in particular, I try to read something uplifting before bed … like an inspiring Christmas story or poem. And before tucking in for the night, I do five or six nice, long stretches, take some deep breathes, and then say a prayer for all of my loved ones. It’s a really nice way to end the day.

So there. The holidays really do come but once a year. I hope that my little plan will keep me feeling good so that I can enjoy every last minute of it — eggnog and all!