Three ways to raise your energy naturally
For a dose of energy, sans caffeine jitters, here are a few things to try.
1. Move.
Opting for the stairs, especially when you’re tired, sounds like the worst idea ever. I get it. But if you can move past the dread, a jolt of energy often awaits.
When we get going, our hearts respond. Blood starts pumping with more velocity, and fresh oxygen nourishes our tissues. In short, our bodies ignite. They rise to the call to action, and we can end up feeling refreshed all around.
Instead of thinking of energy as something you need to “get,” like a flat white at Starbucks, think of it as something you can create.
You don’t need to break a sweat either. The idea is to undertake activities that can rev you up without tiring you out — options that are relatively quick and stimulating but not too killer. Dancing with abandon to a good tune, doing 50 jumping jacks or taking a 15-minute walk have all served me well.
2. Take awakening breaths.
When we’re trying to relax, long slow exhalations are the way to go. To wake up, do the opposite.
Speed up your breath, and particularly focus on snapping your belly in on each quick and forceful exhale. The inhales are equally staccato, and you let the belly go. I recommend doing this all through your nose.
Do this quick breathing for about 20 seconds. Build up to a minute or two over time. Do this with arms stretched overhead for a little extra electricity.
Note that if the exercise makes you feel winded or dizzy, back off. It’s supposed to be invigorating, not suffocating. You should still get all the air you need — just rapidly.
3. Switch it up.
On a recent lazy Sunday, I was halfheartedly trying to muster enough energy to get up after a nap (a precious occasion with two kids younger than 1½), when my husband came in and started talking about his business startup — a project I’m really excited about. Suddenly I was up.
Next time you’re dragging, consider switching gears. Turn your focus to something more exciting than what you’re up to, just for a little bit. It may be a distraction, but if it reenergizes you, it’s not a waste of time.
But take caution. Sometimes my exciting detours veer toward chocolate or Facebook, and if I’m not careful, I end up feeling worse.
Try to find feel-good options. Maybe call your mom or watch a motivational video (Ted Talk?), visit an inspiring website (I share stuff on mine, at marcisharif.com, that fits the bill), scroll through pics of your kids, look up fast, easy and healthful recipes … OK, so that’s my list. Think about energizing distractions.
These three tips have different uses, but work them in as you can. I hope they help you feel bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Or less pooped all the time would be good, too.