Ellie's Top Ten Tips For Enjoying Increased Energy Naturally
I think most of us will agree that maintaining the level of energy needed to accomplish all of the tasks laid before us each day can be quite a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you work with your body's natural rhythms and safely increase your energy levels so that you can live a more peaceful and productive life.
One: Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Be bio-effective. Instead of fighting against your body's natural high and low energy periods, work with them and schedule your day accordingly. If you are a morning person, take advantage of that natural energy wave and perform your most difficult tasks at that time. During periods of naturally lower energy, say right after lunch or in the early afternoon, use this time to do easier tasks like schedule appointments, perform research or even take a nap if you can. If you work in a structured office environment, take a few minutes to read over positive affirmations, do a few stretches at your desk or meditate briefly, concentrating on taking in energy-giving breathes and releasing fatigue and ennui.
Three: Exercise
There's no need to join an expensive gym or wear yourself out completely. Exercise should something positive and enjoyable and will definitely release natural endorphins in your body that will increase your energy and improve your mood. You can do something as simple as take a walk around the block or your building at work, do a 30-minute yoga or Pilates routine, shoot some hoops, or try these simple stretches at your desk.
- Stand with your legs spread comfortably apart. With your palm up, stretch your right arm as high towards the sky as possible while at the same time stretching your left palm down towards the Earth as far as you can. Switch arms and repeat. Do this two times for a total of four unique stretches.
- Perform two sets of neck stretches. While keeping your shoulders relaxed and down, gently stretch your head to the right, to the back, to the left and to your chest.
- Shoulder Rolls. Lift and roll your shoulders forward to the count of eight. Reverse direction and roll them again towards your back.
- Open Your Chakras. With your fingers touching at the tips, form a pyramid shape with your hands together. Touching your body with your pinky fingers with hands still together, drag your hands from the base of your torso all the way up past your forehead and into the air above you. Open your arms and bring them down in an open sweeping motion. Put your hands back together and repeat four times. Then "gather" the energy around you by opening your palms with your arms down at your sides and bring your cupped hands up above your head as though you were gathering an invisible field of energy around you. Put your hands back into the pyramid formation and rest your thumbs in the center of the top of your head.
Letting your blood sugar drop to an unhealthy level can make you feel tired and hungry. It's virtually impossible to focus and be productive when in this state. The best way to keep your blood sugar levels on track is by eating the right kind of snacks every couple of hours. A small portion of lean protein and complex carbohydrates is the best choice for maintaining your optimal blood sugar level. Your next best bet is a low-carb veggies.
Five: Eat, Drink, or Smell Citrus
Vitamin C is the ultimate energy booster whether you eat it, drink it, or smell it. So keep fresh citrus fruits or teas on hand or essential orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit oils.
Six: Avoid Too Much Coffee
Coffee can cause your blood sugar to spike dangerously high and then drop to equally unhealthy lows causing your energy level to roller coaster. Instead of reaching for an afternoon pick-me-up of coffee, opt for a cup of green tea which is also full of anti-oxidants or get double the benefits by going with a cup of citrus tea. If you simply aren't a tea drinker, have a sugar-free flavored water drink such as Propel, Vitamin Water Zero, or SoBe Life Water.
Seven: Take a Moment To Be Mindful
If your energy level is low, take ten to fifteen minutes to simply identify and give thanks for all of the blessings in your life. Write them in a journal or close your eyes and bring them to mind, one by one. As you do, give thanks for each and every positive thing in your life that you can think of. As you perform this activity, you will start to feel more relaxed yet energized and even joyful. Being mindful helps you enjoy every moment of your life and prevents you from being stuck in the past or waiting for the future. It gives you the gift of being able to be present for and joyful in any situation at any time.
Eight: Change It Up
Rearrange your desk. Change one of your articles of clothing like your socks or shoes. Light a candle. Put out a vase of foliage or flowers. Change something to help you feel re-invigorated and refreshed.
Nine: Get In Contact With Nature
Sometimes the weather is not cooperative or it is simply not practical to get yourself outdoors in the middle of a busy work day. Try keeping a small water feature on your desk. Bring in house plants, a small Zen garden, a vase of fresh flowers, or even a small dish of river rocks or other types of stones with unique properties. Take a few moments to enjoy these with as many of your five senses as possible. Smell them, touch them, concentrate on the sound of the cycling water. You'll feel refreshed and balanced with the Earth's energies in no time.
Ten: Do a Guided Meditation
Take a few minutes to go to You Tube, plug in your headphones and choose one of the thousands of guided meditations available for free. Search for what you need most to be productive for the day whether that be relaxation or increased energy and refreshment.
By using these simple and enjoyable tools, you'll find yourself being increasingly relaxed and productive both at the office as well as with your family and friends.
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