Yesterday afternoon I found myself becoming really sluggish. In fact, while driving home I got so sleepy that I needed to pull over and rest my eyes a bit. A bit embarrassing to have to admit that!
It got me thinking about energy and how we all struggle with maintaining our energy levels throughout the day. When I’m dragging and feel completely drained, I need things that are easy to do that have instant impact on re-energizing myself.
I know I can’t be the only one who feels like they need ways to restore their energy, so I figured I would share with you the practices that consistently help me to re-energize.
They’re simple, easy to do, and immediately have an effect.
- Move
- Munch
- Meditate
- More (and better) sleep
One of the best ways to increase your energy is to jump-start it with some physical activity such as walking. I find that even if I stand up and do a short amount of movement, such as 10-15 minutes of yoga, it instantly gives me a boost.
I’ve also been doing CrossFit recently, which is a lot more intense, but boy do I feel great (although usually sore!) afterward.
On a physical level moving and stretching brings in more nutrients and oxygen to your body since nitric oxide is released from the linings of arteries to allow blood vessels to move blood more freely.
Integrating gentle movement, such as walking, stretching, restorative yoga, and similar activities can allow you to regain energy in your body and life and connect more fully with your body and self. Try out different types of movement and see what feels right for your body.
When it comes to increasing energy, food is one of the quickest and effective natural remedies. Especially during that dreaded 2 pm slump, I reach for a glass of water (or Green tea) and a high protein snack to give me a boost of energy to get through the rest of my day.
One hidden cause of fatigue is dehydration. It’s something that many of us don’t immediately think of, so if you’re feeling a little sluggish drink a glass of water and it may give you the boost you really need.
Snacks made up of high-quality protein, such as nuts and greek yoghurt, as well as lots of fruits and vegetables and 100-percent whole grains, end up giving you way more energy than snacks made up of simple sugars and carbs. Here’s a list of high-protein, portable snacks that I usually turn to. I also find that the physical act of munching on something crunchy, such as an apple dipped in peanut butter, keeps me more alert.
(Side note: If you usually turn to coffee for an energy boost, try green tea instead. It actually has one-third the caffeine of black tea, but it’s been shown to yield the same level of energy and attentiveness with more even levels than the ups and downs associated with other caffeinated drinks. Plus its full of polyphenols, which are chemicals with potent antioxidant properties.)
By meditate I mean even just taking 5 minutes on your own somewhere where you can sit and take some deep breaths. Feel your breath move inside your body and notice how it makes your body feel. With each inhalation and exhalation, feel your breath extend further into your body (until it feels like every cell in your whole body is breathing). Then enjoy that feeling of energy flowing within your body.
Even better, when you’re feeling sluggish listen to the Energy for Empowerment program. The program will guide your brain on a journey inside your body so it can help direct the body to find balance, health and energy. Each session is about 20 minutes long so you can take a quick break to regroup, re-energize, and then go take on your day!
I am also known to find a place to take a power nap during the day as well. In fact, this is a surprising habit of some of the mos well-known super productive people in the business world. Finding a space to be alone can be challenging, but reclining in your car seat, setting my phone alarm for 15 minutes, works wonders!
This one may seem obvious, but its so important I had to include it! Sleep has the ultimate restorative powers and you need it for your hormonal balance. Sleep is fundamental to our health, levels of stress, and energy to accomplish our goals.
We’re just not doing enough of it. Not only that, but we often don’t get the quality of sleep we need. I’ve definitively had those nights were I wake up throughout the night because my mind won’t shut off!
Eight high-quality hours a day will make a huge difference. If you have trouble falling asleep, you may need to change your sleep practices and approach to falling asleep. That’s why there is a special session just for better sleep in the Energy for Empowerment program. Give it a listen tonight and see what immediate impacts it can have!
So how about you? What do you do when you’re tired that quickly and easily boosts you energy? Please share in the comments below so we can all try your tips!
Warm Wishes,
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