Anyone else been tired lately?
I had a heck of a week last week and my energy was depleted. It was not fun.
It was a good reminder that energy is everything and everything is energy.
Energy is paramount to our bodies and our lives. It helps to shape the rhythm of our days and our mood.
I had to call upon all my best tools last week to make it through.
I’m happy to report that I had a very restful sleep last night and am getting back on track, but in case you’re a little low on energy, here are ten natural energy lifters to try when you need a boost.
- Snap open the shades. A jolt of morning light – scientists call it the dawn signal – activates special cells in your eyes that send a wake-up call to your brain’s internal clock.
- Light up your brain at lunch too. Sitting beside a sunny window for 30 minutes midday makes you more awake.
- Top off your tank. Drink a glass of water. Getting to the point where you’re just starting to feel thirsty can double your feelings of fatigue.
- Squeeze your hand or tap your head. Sounds crazy, but do-it-yourself acupressure boosts alertness as effectively as a small cup of coffee say University of Michigan researchers. Rap your knuckles a few times on the top of your head, squeeze the fleshy pad between your thumb and first finger, or massage the base of your skull and the front of your shins.
- Have salad and grilled chicken for lunch. High-fat foods are likely to make you moodier and more tired by midafternoon than lower-fat meals are, according to a British study. Digesting fat releases a hormone called cholecystokinin which seems to provoke a brain drain.
- Take a tea break. Black, green, and white teas all contain the energizing amino acid theanine.
- Catch a cat nap. Close your office door or slip out to your car for a quick snooze.
- Splash your face. If even a 20-minute nap leaves you groggy, stop in the restroom and splash cool water on your face.
- Turn on some tunes. Listening to music is one of the most effective ways to change a bad mood, decrease tension, and increase energy.
- Get your exercise. Vigorous exercise can act like a stimulant (which is a great daytime energizer), so schedule your workouts in the morning or afternoon when you need a boost the most. Sources: realage.com, webmd.com
And a bonus tip: Essential oils, of course!
One of my favorite energizing combos is a drop of Peppermint and a drop of Wild Orange in my hands, inhale deeply, and enjoy an immediate energy burst!