Have you been feeling a bit sluggish these days? You’re not alone! With our busy, on-the-go lifestyles, many of us operate on low octane. Here are some re-fueling tips to get you powered up and back on the energy track.
1. Sing out loud.
Get your music player, select your favorite playlist and belt a tune. Researchers, in the Journal of Music Therapy, report that singing out loud activates your mind and can be highly invigorating. It’s no wonder why road trips are much more fun when you have your handy hits to accompany you.
2. Pep up your water.
Add fruit to plain or sparkling water. Citrus Zinger water is another healthy, yummy and energy-igniting option. It’s an easy way to extract juice and flavor from citrus fruits and infuse them directly into your water bottle. Creating delicious lemonades, limeades and orangeades, the Citrus Zinger flavor infuser is great for the active, on-the-go water drinker.
3. Give yourself a DIY massage.
It’s tough to focus when you’re fighting to keep your eyes open. Experts suggest applying a little pressure to different areas on your hands and feet, alternating to stimulate multiple organs. It can also afford you a nice brain break as you welcome your second wind. Try these great DIY massages for detoxing, great skin, pain relief and energy.
4. Exercise your upper body.
Try some push-ups – yes, push-ups are great energy boosters! Studies have proven that even a little workout is better than none. So, those days when you’re having a tough time getting to the gym, try a quick session of one-minute bursts of upper-body movements, like push-ups.
Arm movements are especially good for energy building because they involve the muscles that are closest to the heart. Try doing some quick push-ups or sit-ups in the morning and reap the reward of extra energy throughout the day.
5. Deviate your routine.
Stuck in a rut? That’s easy to do when you feel as if you’re more of a robot than a human being. Daily routines can breed boredom which can easily result in lack of energy. Though you may not have the luxury of changing your work schedule or taking an impromptu vacation, try something simple, like incorporating one new thing into your daily life every day.
You might opt for a new breakfast choice; try those new breakfast bars you’ve been scoping out in the grocery store or switch up your workout – barre class here you come! Even taking a different route to work can spritz up a dull routine.
6. Snack more. Snack smart.
Yes, you read right – snack up! Snacking has a bad rap with all the high-sugar, high-fat and calorie-excess foods that always seem so handy and available to munch on. However, munching on fresh veggies and fruit, soups, yogurt, cheese, nuts and sandwiches is a healthy way to rev up your energy levels during those mid-day lulls.
Whole foods are loaded with vitality and are a great way to raise blood sugar levels and help you get your recommended dose of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Avoid overloading on snacks, and make sure you’re not skipping healthy meals. This will help you maintain a stable energy reserve.
7. Boost your “B” levels.
Experts strongly recommend taking a B-50 complex pill that contains at least 50 micrograms of biotin, 500 micrograms of vitamin B12 and 400 micrograms of folic acid, along with 200 milligrams of magnesium.
This is considered a safe mega dose of B vitamins that can help the body convert food to fuel, and extra magnesium to a little less than a third of the recommended daily value. It will also aid the body in using oxygen more efficiently, which will enable you to feel more energized.
8. Get rid of bad air.
Getting fresh air is one of the best ways to replenish energy levels. Taking time to take deep cleansing breaths, partnered with fresh air, is one of the most efficient ways to release carbon dioxide, the stale air that makes us feel sleepy. Breathing deeply in and out is a simple way to re-oxygenate the blood and excite energy.
Kim Anthony is a freelance writer and fitness enthusiast. As an adjunct psychology professor with extensive experience in counseling, she is an avid believer in the mind and body relationship and its connection to overall wellness. She enjoys pouring her passion for fitness and wellness into fitnessgalore.net, a website that features fitness and nutrition tips, workouts, recipes and the latest fitness fashion. This article originally appeared in full on her site.
One thought on “Get More Energy With These 8 Unique Ideas”
Will have to put some of these to the test. I know I would benefit from snacking. I get so caught up in the day that I go long periods without eating and feel sluggish.