Energy slumps can be so frustrating. They drain our motivation, they lower our mood and they can end up stopping us from doing those things that we do want to do.
The problem is, a lack of energy can often put us in a never-ending circle of struggling to do anything, so I want to share a few quick and easy ways to boost our energy for when we can feel ourselves struggling.
Hydrate
Drink that water! This one’s a habit worth creating and sticking with.
If this is not something you often do, to give you an idea you’ll want to aim for around 35ml of water for every kilogram of body weight. When you drink regularly, you’ll soon notice how much your body needs and feels better for it.
You’ll also want to cut alcohol and caffeine down.
Play your favourite song
We all have that one song that we can’t resist putting our all into and singing loud, don’t we? I mean, honestly, I have quite a few!
Play it, sing it, dance to it, whatever you want! This is an instant and simple energy booster that’ll put a smile on your face.
Eat well
Think about eating protein and complex carbs to give you that energy, rather than a quick sugar hit. The problem with the sugar pick-me-up is that it’s a very short sharp burst that can then lead to a slump. You’ll want to be eating well and keeping yourself on a steady keel.
Try to prioritise a protein and fibre rich breakfast each morning to kick your day off with a sustainable energy boost. Think oatmeal, Greek yoghurt, apples, chia seeds, almonds, eggs, avocado, things like that.
Go for a walk
It might sound counter intuitive, to move when you feel like you’re lacking energy, but this one works.
Walking improves your blood flow, helping oxygen and nutrients move around your body, making you feel more alert and refreshed.
It needn’t be for miles and miles, just get out there for ten minutes and you’ll feel that boost.
Get that heart rate up
If you aren’t able to go for a quick walk, there are plenty of other easy ways to get your heart rate up.
Set a timer for a couple of minutes and use that time to jump up and down, go up and down your stairs, squat jumps, running on the spot, anything to get your heart rate raising a little.
Write a to-do list
Sometimes it’s what we’re carrying mentally that can drain our energy reserves.
Take a moment to empty all of those things that are circling around in your brain onto paper and take a breath.
Listing things, then ticking them off, can help you to stay focused and motivated and once written down, you should feel a little less mentally drained.
Stretch
Stretching can increase blood flow and improve energy levels, and this is one that’s simple to incorporate, sitting or standing.
Try a few yoga poses or just focus on those areas in your body where you can feel tension and stretch it out.
Sleep well
OK, this one mightn’t be as easy and quick a fix as the other things on this list, but getting ourselves into good sleeping habits and cycles can of course have a huge impact on our energy. And if you need it as a quick fix, nap?
What’s your go-to energy booster?