Eleven Easy Ways to Elevate Energy Levels
Breathe
Yes, essential for existence and easy to do. Take long deep breaths. Smile. Close your eyes. Inhale slowly through your nose. Exhale through your mouth. Repeat until you can feel your pulse rate steadying. If you have a meditation practice, that is wonderful. As you practice breathing, you get more oxygen, lowering your blood pressure, helping your tense muscles relax.
Thank you Molly Hahn
Now move it!
Rather than take the easy way out by grabbing another coffee (guilty!) why not get up and stretch? Take a minute to do this:
- Stand up
- Stretch your arms over your head
- Take a deep breath
- Swing your arms from side to side
- Walk up and down the staircase a couple of times
What does happen is, your blood circulation gets going, more oxygen comes into your brain and muscles. More oxygen = more energy. Do it once an hour.
Enjoy a snack break
Usually, energy levels flag around midmorning since the blood sugar levels begin to dip. Now’s the time to enjoy a snack. No, not that “I want one now piece of cake oozing with chocosauce” but something that gives you a nice mix of healthy carbohydrates and protein. The idea is to help your metabolism and keep you satisfied until the next meal time. Go for salads, a handful of nuts, a fruit…no more than 200 calories.
Go for H2O
Water, we already know is the cheapest energizer. Just imagine sipping a glass of water when you are tired. Doesn’t it feel as though you are literally pouring life back into you? Make sure you get those 8 glasses of water per day. Did you know that the slightest dehydration slows down our body? Truth. But what if you get bored with water? I’ve got you covered! Enhance the taste with a dash of lime or a splash of fruit juice, a tablespoon of fruit crush , some slices of cucumber….. and by the way, iced tea counts. Iced Lemon Tea is a favorite at our place.
Enjoy that view
If you have a job like mine, involving sitting for long stretches of time and racing towards deadlines, then stress is an integral part of your life. Healthy stress is good, but what about when it fatigues you?
Step up your energy levels quickly by looking at pleasant things. Maybe you have a gorgeous view from your window. Gaze at it. But maybe you don’t. Right now, when I look out my balcony, I can only see civil repair work. So I turn to my computer screen and look at photos or beautiful scenery. Add some music and you’re set. When you look at things that make you happy, you trigger the release of happy chemicals in your brain, strengthening your immune system, and this makes you feel better, more energetic.
Take a leisurely stroll
Pick a time of day that suits you best and take a slow stroll. Not one where you rush to cross the road or go through traffic – choose a rather quiet place. And pace. Maybe a park or a quiet residential area. Observe every little thing around you. I swear this feels good. Carry your camera if you like. I do, always. You’ll be glad you did. Enjoy the relaxation this little walk brings. You’ll want to make it a habit.
Get a head massage
Warm some oil. Apply it to your hair. Then massage your scalp with it. This is one of the best known ways to energize yourself. Massage stimulates the scalp. Brushing your hair works, too. It is that repetitive movement that does it. See the tension leave you.
This means carbohydrates. Good carbs (complex carbs) are essential to fuel our body. Choose whole grain bread, high fiber cereal and beans. Go multicolor with fruits and vegetables. This will stabilize your blood sugar levels while giving you nutrition and energy.
Thanks to Success.com
Laugh a lot
I completely endorse. I love cartoons and jokes and getting a good laugh. Laughing boosts your mood and energy, while easing your tension. When you laugh, your metabolic rate also gets a boost and you feel good. So call your friend, share a joke or just watch that silly show on TV. Laugh your head off. Feel wonderful instantly.
Check your posture
Like me, if you have to sit for hours sometimes, make sure you maintain positive posture. Don’t slump over your chair, even if you feel like. Sit straight. Allow your chest to open up and get that oxygen into our muscles and brain. Good posture also helps you feel good about yourself.
Read an affirmation
Affirmations can be very motivating. I love them. Read what inspires you. Sometimes a single line can make a huge difference.
And finally, “your day will go the way the corners of your mouth are turned“. So SMILE.
Readers’ tips
Chandra Senan offers the following tip and I am trying it!
“An additional rejuvenator and energiser is a good night’s sleep – I know you deliberately left this out but feel it’s a major component of the energy equation. Have a couple of slices of bread, bananas and milk before bed. Bananas have melatonin, serotonin and magnesium; milk has tryptophan and calcium, the latter enabling the brain to utilise the tryptophan – the amino acid which the body uses to make serotonin, the neurotransmitter that calms the brain; bread with its carbs has got a high glycemic index. This trio of foods will send you to the land of Nod and you will awake, fully energised.”
