Most of us barely make it through the dreaded afternoon slump.
The heavy lifting starts around 3 PM for many of us with families, but try explaining that to your tired body.
So how do we keep ourselves going?
Our top 2 vices are – hit the Starbucks drive-thru or eat something sweet. But eventually, the crash catches up with us again.
Here are my top 10 energy boosters that won’t make you jittery or fat!
- Get some fresh air. If you’re driving, open the windows (even if it’s cold!); otherwise, get outside.
- Breathe. You know, most of us don’t breathe deeply. We take shallow breaths, just about enough to survive. (see a good technique below)
- Stretch. Stop what you’re doing and stretch!
- Drink water. When you are low on fluids, your body feels tired and weak. We are all dehydrated, and we don’t even realize it!
- Walk. Go for a brisk walk, even if it’s for 5 or 10 minutes. Swing your arms. Really get into it!
- Send a voice message. I like to wish my FaceBook friends a happy birthday with a voice message. It’s impossible to feel tired when you are smiling and sending virtual hugs!
- Eat a piece of fruit. It’s a great snack filled with vitamins and fiber and will give you an immediate boost of energy.
- Dance. I know you might feel a little kooky dancing around your office or your living room, but TRUST when I say you will love that instant rush of energy.
- Sing. Singing itself is an aerobic activity because it introduces more oxygen into the blood. You’ll have better circulation – and be in a better mood!
- Laugh. As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. Need a good quick laugh? Go to Tic Tok and search falling down. Always good for a belly laugh!
Try this 4-7-8 breathing technique.
Allow your lips to part gently. Exhale completely, making a breathy whoosh sound as you do. Press your lips together as you silently inhale through the nose for a count of 4 seconds. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale again for a full 8 seconds, making a whooshing sound throughout.
