5 KEYS TO INCREASE YOUR ENERGY RIGHT NOW!
1. BREATHE!
Big surprise here, right? But really, as humans in the modern world, it’s really ease to hold your breath, or to take really crummy shallow breathes.
Breathe into your belly! How: Take a big inhale and let your belly puff up like a balloon, try counting to 4 while you do this. INHALE (1, 2, 3, 4) and then slowly exhale while counting to 8. Don’t stress about about the numbers here! The point is to breathe and relax.
When you start feeling like you are stressed, aggravated, annoyed or just generally p’od, STOP! And take a few minutes to breathe and focus on nothing else but your big, beautiful, deep breathing. It is truly amazing how much stress relief can be felt by the simple act of just breathing.
2. STEP OFF THE SALAMI TRAIN!
As a nice little Italian girl, I am a HUGE fan of salumi (that’s salami in plural in Italiano)! Not just salami, but sopressata, prosciutto… if its a cured meat, I love it! (My apologies to vegetarians, but this is my true confession)
However, when I am not balancing my diet, I feel like crapola! I wake up with a belly ache and my energy level plummets.
The solution is simple, eat healthy alive food! I am not about to tell you exactly what to eat, because you are smart! If it’s from a bag, a box or can, it didn’t come from a tree! Eat those veggies, snack on fruit and nuts, substitute your salami for some roast turkey. When our stress levels raise we often tend to reach for Mom’s mashed potatoes, or in my case polenta, or a slice of red velvet cake, or a bag of chips. Junk Junk and more Junk in yo trunk!
As you know from above: Stressed? Breathe! Then, Hungry? Take a moment to ask, is this going to help me feel better, or worse? Get into the habit of CHOOSING to eat things that will make you feel better after eating. However, if you decide, darn! I really want (insert your salami here), then eat a little, and ENJOY IT! Meaning, focus on it! No tv, no computer. Really experience what it is you are eating. You will probably find that you’ll be satisfied with eating about half as much as you would, and enjoying it more because you are really present.
3. MOVE!
Moving your body is one of the best ways to raise your energy level. And, hello, it will also help you look better and be healthier!
As a lifestyle coach, my clients often ask, what’s the best way to work out? Or, how can I lose weight fastest?
It’s no big secret but ya gotta MOVE! Think Debbie Alan, “YOU WANT FAME, WELL FAME COSTS!” I love that! But it’s true!
Make it a habit to MOVE every day! Yup, every day! So whether it’s running, cycling, jumping on a trampoline, dancing, running after your kids (20 seconds probably isn’t enough..hint hint), rollerblading, practicing yoga, pilates or a hip-hop class…You gotta move! And move every day!
I always say, make your goal to do SOMETHING every day, for even just a half hour, and you will see and feel benefits. It’s gotta be a habit, just like brushing your teeth (unless of course you are Jessica Simpson). Move, every day, and feel better!
4. GO TO BED!
It may seem obvious that you need to get enough sleep, but why do so many people just not do it? Find out how you function best. Some people need 8 hours, others are totally optimal with just 6. Your perfect number is unique to you:)
One of the best and easiest ways to optimize your sleep is to set a sleeping schedule for yourself. Go to bed at the same time every night, and wake at the same time. You can regulate your schedule and that will help to optimize your energy.
Also, set the stage for sleep. Try not to stimulate yourself with Internet and TV, stress, or alcohol right before bed. I am a huge fan of my sleeping mask! Why? It lets my subconscious know, the day is over, and you can relax and sleep now. My fiance cracks up at me in my sleeping garb: a mask and a frownie stuck between my brows! ha! What a look! But I wake up wrinkle free and refreshed, so there;)
5. MAKE A DECISION TO THINK GOOD THINGS!
Our minds are just fascinating! Have you ever had a full on argument with someone in your head? You think about it over and over, you imagine their negative responses and dirty looks, you imagine how bad the situation can be? And for what??? What does this do for you?
Increase your stress level, drain your energy, and make you feel really sh*tty!
So, rather than being the “thought police”, make a decision NOW, to be a casual observer of your thoughts. You don’t have to entertain them all! Cool, right! You can decide to let the negative thoughts or movies playing in your mind go. It’s that simple! Oh, there I am having a fight with someone who isn’t even in the room, ha! Funny!
Now, decide to think of GOOD things! A pleasant memory, a vacation you’d like to take, the feeling of sun on your skin, a pet…you choose!
When you think good things, you feel better, have more energy and life becomes a whole lot easier!
You may “know” all of the steps above, but honestly, are you implementing these steps? I hope so! If not, try it! Enjoy having more energy and feeling good!