Surprising energy sapper #1: Scented Candles

They may seem harmless, but these festive little numbers can have a serious downside. “When lit, many scented candles, particularly those made of paraffin, release headache-and fatigue-triggering chemicals like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde into the air,” says Paula Baillie-Hamilton, Ph.D., author of Toxic Overload.

Feel-better Rx: Skip the candles and make a natural potpourri. Dried herbs, which you can buy at most craft stores, will infuse your home with a cheerful scent — and, as a bonus, improve your mood. If you’re feeling stressed, the smell of dried lavender can help you chill out, says a study at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Need more pep? Add a little dried mint to your mix. Researchers from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia say this spice’s scent can boost your get-up-and-go.

Next page: How decking the halls can drain you