Do you want to have more energy? Well, Jonny Bowden of Forbes.com has a list of great - EASY ideas how you can use "nutrition, exercise, and stress relief to refuel your body and energize your mind"; CLICK HERE for the full story.
1. Eat Fewer Calories: “Ever notice how tired you get after a big meal? When you eat, blood is diverted to your stomach and gut and energy is spent on digestion. Follow this Okinawan mantra--"Hara hatchi bu"--which means "eat till you're 75% full." Simply decreasing your calories by one-fourth has been shown to extend life in every species studied.”
2. Never Skip Breakfast: “Studies show that breakfast eaters perform better on tasks, think more clearly, have more energy and are far less likely to be overweight or obese. Eat protein. One study showed that a high-protein breakfast stimulated metabolism for over 24 hours. The ideal breakfast for energy? Two eggs and a small bowl of oatmeal. Skip the toast and potatoes.”
3. Sleep: “Even one hour of under-sleeping impairs judgment, performance and energy. During sleep, important hormones and biochemicals are replenished. When you don't get enough sleep, you're at a metabolic disadvantage. Try going to bed one hour earlier than usual. It's more effective than trying to sleep in.”
4. Exercise: “Here are my own "no excuses" low-tech workouts that you can do just about anywhere in as little as 15 or 20 minutes for an amazing boost in energy: 1) Run a mile, 2) do some squats, 3) do some push-ups, 4) do some crunches. Or try some jumping jacks in your house, or run the stairs.”
5. Detox Your Body - Eat a clean diet: “I recommend Dr. Elson Haas's SNACC program: cut out all SNACCs (Sugar, Nicotine, Alcohol, Caffeine and Chemicals) for a week or so. Limit your menu to raw foods like nuts, berries and fruits, tons of vegetables, small portions of cooked non-gluten grains like oatmeal or quinoa, 3-4 ounces of grilled or steamed fish or grass-fed beef a day, and lots of fresh vegetable juice and broths. You'll feel amazing, and your energy will go through the roof.”
6. Combat Stress: “When you're under stress, your body pumps out hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline that prepare your body for an emergency. They were never meant to be turned on all the time. Meditation is the best stress-buster on the planet, but deep breathing exercises work equally well, as do warm baths, walks in the woods or just taking some time out every day to relax.
7. Get Some Sun: “The body makes vitamin D after exposure to sun, and experts now agree that we're woefully lacking in this essential vitamin, which has been linked to lower rates of cancer, higher physical performance and improved mood. Try to get 10 minutes of unprotected exposure to the sun at least three times a week.”
8. Organize Your Life: “ Here's a rule I've found to be a universal truth: Your energy has an inverse relationship to the accumulation of stuff you don't need. The more unwanted, unused, unneeded stuff you have cluttering up your life, the less energy you have. Take time to organize and de-clutter.”
9. Stay Connected: “In his landmark book The Blue Zones, National Geographic explorer and writer Dan Buettner reports on four areas in the world where people live the longest and healthiest lives and are frequently active, energetic and healthy into their late 90s. Every one of the people he studied listed strong social connections as one of the energizing forces in their lives.”
