If I had a nickel for every person who said “I’m just so tired…”
Wait a sec.
I do have a nickel for everyone who says that. And that’s because it’s one of the top reasons people visit their doctor.
Fatigue is ubiquitous, you guys. If I could bottle energy, I could retire right now and go live in some sun-soaked villa in Tuscany. Sipping wine, strolling through olive groves, reading novels, shopping for Italian shoes…
Um, what were we talking about?
Right–back to the issue at hand. We could all use a little more energy, couldn’t we? I’ve written about this before. In two previous posts (here and here), I recommend various ways to step it up a little.
But there are more.
Here you go:
1.Light it up.
Our circadian rhythms (otherwise known as our sleep-wake cycles) are hugely dependent on light cues. Give your brain a big hint that it’s bright-eyed/bushy-tailed time by sitting beside a sunny window, going for a walk outside, or even just turning on more lights inside.
2.Stretch it out.
In a pinch, a few stretches at your desk can give you a boost. But studies are increasingly showing the benefits of regular yoga practice–and one of those benefits is improving depression, stress, and anxiety–big-time energy zappers.
3.Take a cold shower.
A downward temperature change has been shown to give an energy jolt, in general. But in particular, a 3-minute cold shower has been shown to improve symptoms of chronic fatigue.
4.Try a little music medicine.
There’s a growing body of research to show the physical & mental benefits of music. Relaxing music has been shown to alleviate stress, but you can tailor it to your mood–more upbeat music can improve alertness.
5.Chew gum.
This is one of my favorite research findings lately. Quite a number of studies have shown that chewing gum can improve mood, cognitive function, and alertness. Plus, calorie-free, and easy, right?
