10 Ways to Get More Energy!

Is it just me, or do you find yourself with LOTS more energy during the Spring/Summer months yet always operating on “E” when the cooler months kick in? In a city like New York that prides itself on never sleeping, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do to keep up the work hard/play hard lifestyle. If you’re tired all the time, a change in diet or activity pattern may be all you need to turn things around 180°.

Add a few of these tips to your regular routine or mix them up to keep things interesting. Whatever you do, don’t forget that while all of these tips are great, a good night’s sleep (7-8 hours) every once in a while is even better!

1. Work with your body’s clock.

There is a natural ebb and flow of energy throughout the day. We start off sluggish after waking up, even after a solid 8 hours of sleep. Our energy peaks mid-morning, and it’s natural to want a disco nap in the afternoon. We get a second spike of energy in the early evening, followed by our lowest energy point just before bedtime. Once you understand this natural rhythm of energy throughout the day, you can work on the important tasks during your peak hours and avoid early afternoon snoozefests (meetings).

2. Wear brighter colors.

This trick is related to the mood you project to people, and the reciprocating mood they project towards you. If you wear dark, somber colors, you project a dark, somber attitude, and people will respond to you with a somber attitude. If you wear bright, happy colors, you’ll get that attitude projected towards you, which will boost your own mood and energy levels. I really dig this one because for so long, cities like Chicago and New York were all about wearing black…yuck! I mean, it’s cool and if done tastefully, doesn’t look like you’re attending a funeral but when it becomes a uniform, we’ve got problems!

3. Flirt.

It’s fun, it’s harmless (if kept innocent), and it’s effective. Nothing quite gets the heart pumping like a little flirting!

4. Drink lots of water.

Dehydration is a sinister cause of fatigue because it slowly creeps up on you. If you consistently drink less than 8 cups of water a day, you may be sluggish all the time. Get a 32 oz (1 quart, 4 cups) water bottle. Your goal is to polish off 2 of those a day. Try it for a week and see if your general energy level increases.

5. Stand up, stretch and take a couple of deep breaths.

Stretch your arms, back, legs, and neck. Take a deep breath through your nose, hold it, and let it out slowly and forcefully. Repeat several times. This will take 30 seconds and will be an instant fix. When you sit back down, you’ll have the clear head and fresh feeling needed to power through the tough/boring task in front of you.

When your world is organized, you don’t have to expend mental energy keeping track of a million things. Take back control of your time and productivity!

7. Look on the bright side.

A generally upbeat and optimistic outlook on life will keep your energy level up. Yes, the worst thing that can happen might actually happen, but giving it too much worry will only drain you. Look for the positive in every situation and you won’t be so tired.

8. Listen to tunes while you work.

It’s well known that our brain’s pleasure center lights up when we hear music. Throwing on the ipod and listening to any music you like while working will give you a productivity boost.

9. Socialize.

As a blogger, I probably shouldn’t be telling you this but get off the Internet and go socialize with friends! Humans are social animals, and we need regular socializing to keep ourselves in peak health and energy.

10. Take a walk outside.

Getting outside for some fresh air, a change of scenery, and a quick walk to get your blood going will do wonders for your mood and motivation. Seeing the sun is a signal to your body that it’s not bedtime yet. As a dog owner and a person who works from home, these quick walks do wonders to help build up my energy. It’s amazing how many great ideas you can come up with by just changing your surroundings and feeling the sun (or in today’s case, cool breeze) kissing your skin!