25 Surprising Ways to Increase Your Energy
One thing is certain: the world doesn’t slow down just because your energy levels are low.
You might already know the basics of how to keep your energy levels high: get enough sleep (seven to nine hours), exercise daily and eat nutritious foods.
Both the amount and quality of sleep you get each night have a profound effect on your energy level and ability to focus. Compare how you felt on a morning following a sleepless night vs. how you felt after getting nine hours of shut-eye. It’s likely that you felt calmer, productive and more energetic after getting enough sleep.
Exercising for at least 30 minutes each day is a proven and effective way to increase blood flow, boost your mood and keep you from falling asleep at your desk. Proper nutrition also plays a major factor in how well the body functions. Opting for meals that contain easy-to-digest whole foods like fruits, whole grains and vegetables keep the body from powering down mid-day.
In our busy, stressed and fast-paced world, getting a good night’s rest, eating healthy foods and fitting in daily exercise can be a challenge. Overcoming fatigue can be a daily struggle. But if chugging cups of coffee back-after-back like many tired Americans isn’t your preferred method to stay awake, that’s fine. There are other tactics you can use to keep yourself energized, productive, alert and on your game.
Here are 25 innovative ways to increase your energy and boost productivity (some might even surprise you!).
Put Down Your Device
Looking at our phones every five minutes has become part of our natural daily routine. It’s easy not to notice how much time we spend staring at our tiny screens.
But did you know that the blue light emitted from mobile devices can keep you awake and unable to sleep? Blue light prevents the body from producing melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it’s time for sleep. If you want to get sleep sound each, try turning off your phone off at night.
Eat Raw Organic Cacao
The Incas were first to discover that eating raw cacao (i.e. the bean that makes chocolate) is a powerful way to increase energy. The secret to cacao’s power is its high magnesium content.
Magnesium is an essential ingredient in the body’s production of a coenzyme called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The enzyme is responsible for a host of critical bodily processes like transportation of energy to cells. Instead of reaching for that double-shot espresso, do your body a favor and chow down on a handful of magnesium-rich cacao nibs.
Listen to Upbeat Music and Sing Like a Teenager
Stay awake and alert by listening to your favorite upbeat tunes. Studies show that listening to music decreases fatigue, lowers stress and significantly increases energy levels.
Want to maximize the energy-boosting benefits of listening to music? Sing along! Singing out loud excites the brain, giving you a natural jolt of feel-good energy.
Chow Down on Chia Seeds
The energy-boosting power of chia seeds comes from its balanced mix of protein, fats and fiber. Eating chia seeds will make you feel full and prevent your blood sugar levels from fluctuating. Try sprinkling some chia seeds on your morning yogurt or add chia powder to your protein shake.
Eat Some Algae
Spirulina is a type of blue algae found in fresh water. It contains a high concentration of essential amino acids, protein, nutrients and nitric oxide—all key ingredients for enhancing physical and mental performance. Add spirulina powder to your morning smoothie to help keep you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Wear an Energy-Boosting Bracelet
The Earth’s protective magnetic field, or “natural frequency,” surrounds each living thing. When our bodies are in sync with the Earth’s health-sustaining natural frequency, we feel energized, focused and happy.
But electromagnetic energy emitted from modern technology like Wi-Fi can disrupt the harmony of energy. The constant power interference can leave you feeling drained and unwell. Our fitness bracelet uses Natural Frequency Technology to help restore energy by tapping into and channeling the Earth’s beneficial frequency back into the body. Try wearing our sweat and water resistant sports bracelet to help you feel more balanced, increase your focus and improve your athletic performance.
Sit Up Straight
If you work at a desk most of the day, the chances are good that you slouch from time to time. Take a moment to straighten your posture by sitting up on your hipbones and rolling your shoulders back. It feels good physically (especially after a long meeting), and it’s a quick and easy way to rev up your energy.
Just Breathe
You might notice your shallow breathing whenever you’re stressed or tired. Shallow breathing can make you feel even more exhausted by restricting the amount of oxygen flow into the body. Try deep breathing exercises to increase blood circulation and to maximize your body’s oxygen intake. Or better yet, try yoga or guided meditation class to help you establish a habit of more mindful breathing.
Drink Green Tea
Green tea contains a tiny amount of alertness-boosting caffeine, but less than the average amount found in coffee. It also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that helps increase awareness, making it a gentler but still a very effective alternative to coffee. Drink it hot or cold to give your body a gentle push.
Chug Water
When your body is dehydrated, you’re more prone to headaches, weakness and dizziness. Because water makes up 60% of our bodies, it makes sense that not drinking enough of it can have adverse health effects. Staying hydrated is a simple, yet essential way to fight fatigue and help you stay awake and focused. Tip: Keep a refillable water bottle on your desk to remind yourself to drink water throughout the day.
Do a Handstand
If you’re able, try hanging upside down by doing a handstand. Yogis swear by the energy-boosting effects of the handstand and other inverted postures. When your body is upside down, blood rushes to the brain, resulting in a quick increase in alertness.
Can’t do a handstand? No problem. Just lower your head below heart level.
Sniff Peppermint Oil
Next time you’re wandering around a health food store and feeling like a zombie, pick up a vile of peppermint oil and take a whiff. The scent of menthol-rich peppermint oil can help clear your mind and keep your mojo going. Keep a bottle in your desk drawer or your purse for a quick mid-day pick-me-up.
Massage Your Ears
Take a moment and massage your ears. It might seem odd, but rubbing your ears releases endorphins (i.e. the “feel good” hormones) and stimulates energy points throughout the body. Put some skip back in your step by learning some ear massage techniques.
Soak up Some Sun
If you’ve stuck in the office for several hours, try taking a break and stepping outside. The modern office environment, with its cramped quarters, constant phone rings and fluorescent lights, can zap your energy.
Sunlight exposure increases serotonin levels in the brain, which helps boost mood and energy. Natural sunlight also helps the body synthesize bone-building Vitamin D.
Socialize with Friends
Instead of eating your lunch alone at your desk, try eating with co-workers or friends. Daily stress at work or home, coupled with feelings of loneliness, can take a toll on the body. Next time you’re feeling down and drained of energy, try socializing with happy and energetic friends. Receiving support and love can give you the strength and energy you need to power through the day.
Chew Mint Gum
Chewing mint-flavored gum helps boost productivity, alertness and energy by increasing your heart rate and blood flow to the brain. But make sure to refrain from chewing gum while you’re in a meeting.
Spice it Up with Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a powerful fatigue-fighting spice. It contains a blood glucose regulator that alters the way the body normally processes sugar. Instead of storing sugar, it helps the body convert it into energy.
Exercise (At Your Desk)
If going to the gym on your lunch break isn’t possible, try stretching at your desk for 15 minutes. Simple stretches help keep your blood flowing, your mind focused and your body limber. Chair-based exercises like seated twists and shoulder stretches are all you need to put more spring in your step.
Be Thankful
Try writing down at least three things you’re grateful for each day. Your expressions of gratitude can be about simple things like “having comfortable clothes” or deeper things like “being unconditionally loved by my partner.”
Research indicates that writing down and recognizing positive aspects of your life can boost alertness, enthusiasm, determination and positivity. The practice can also help clear your mind of energy-draining negative thoughts.
Take a Power Nap
Taking a quick 10 to 20-minute nap can work wonders for your mind and body. Most of us don’t get the recommended amount of sleep each night, which means we’re likely not performing at our best level. Power naps improve problem-solving abilities, boost moods and help reduce fatigue.
Laugh Out Loud
Turns out, funny memes and cat videos can be beneficial for your health. Because you breathe more quickly when you laugh, your brain receives more mood-boosting oxygen. Laughter also helps ease muscle tension and stress by increasing blood circulation throughout the body. After a fit of laughter, you’ll likely feel lighter and more refreshed.
Take a Cold Shower
On mornings when you wake up feeling ragged, try decreasing the temperature of your shower. Taking a cold shower “shocks” the body in a good way by speeding up your heart rate and blood circulation to keep warm. You’ll walk out the door in the morning feeling invigorated and alert.
Work Under Blue Light
Humans are sensitive to the conditions in their environment, especially to light. Scientific studies show that cooler, bluer light makes the body suppress melatonin production, which makes the body stay awake and alert.
Dim or artificial light has the opposite effect; it can make you feel groggy and unfocused. If your goal is to get stuff done, consider changing your lightbulbs.
Add Some Coconut Oil into Your Diet
It seems like coconut oil is in everything these days, and for good reason. Coconut oil is mostly made up of fatty acids that get easily absorbed in the blood stream. These fatty acids travel to the liver where they’re easily converted into energy.
Do a Good Deed
“Helper’s High” is that feel-good feeling that occurs when you’ve done something nice for someone else. When you do a good deed, the body releases the intense “bonding hormone,” known as oxytocin. At the same time, the body decreases its production of the “stress hormone,” cortisol. The reduced stress and the greater sense of connectedness can make you feel more energized and on top of your game (and life).
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