Do you roll out of bed feeling tired, even after getting plenty of rest? Then it may be time to tweak your morning routine to boost your energy levels. These simple habits can increase alertness for the rest of the day.
- Take 10 deep breaths - Cardiologist Dr. Gregory Katz recommends a “brief period of focused deep breathing” to center yourself before the work day begins. Stress can also zap energy, but simply closing your eyes and taking 10 deep breaths can help.
- Hydrate - One of the easiest energy boosters? Drinking a glass of water first thing. “Staying hydrated helps your energy levels because water helps oxygen move through the body,” registered dietitian Stephanie Nelson explains. And yes, coffee counts as a “source of hydration.”
- Get moving - Physical exercise gives you a pick-me-up by pumping up your endorphins and research suggests people who are active in the morning tend to be more active throughout the day.
- Make sure you’re actually eating enough - Listening to your body’s hunger cues and eating breakfast can help increase natural energy levels. Michele Smallidge, director of the B.S. Exercise Science Program at the University of New Haven in Connecticut, recommends a breakfast that’s higher in protein and healthy fats to keep energy levels up.
- Watch your sugar intake - Too much of the sweet stuff will lead to a sugar crash, leaving you tired, hungry and craving more sugar.
- Ignore your phone - If all the news leaves you feeling worn out, try starting the day without reaching for your phone first thing. That way you have a calm start to the day and your mind has a chance to focus before you read headlines, scroll social media, or check work emails.
- Figure out what works best for you - Everyone’s different, so start with one habit that seems easy to you and see how it works for you. Then make tweaks based on what makes you feel good and ditch what doesn’t.
Source: Huff Post