Feeling tired, low on energy or just not as lively and vibrant as you’d like to be? Join the queue!
The good news is that there are things you can do about it in the long term and things you can do in the short term to wake up right now. Here are some of the best options…
Splash Some Cold Water on Your Face
If you splash some cold water on your face, it will have the reaction of causing blood to rush to your face and head (thus oxygenating your brain), while simultaneously giving you more adrenaline and norepinephrine – which are released whenever we get cold. This is a great way to shock yourself awake and it’s something you can do any time – just excuse yourself to the bathroom!
Jump Up and Down
Physical exercise is a great way to wake yourself up because it gets the heart pumping and blood flowing. This doesn’t have to mean that you’re doing a full-blown workout though. Just jumping up and down or doing some press ups is enough to trigger the right result and you should find this can instantly give you a burst of energy.
Power Pose!
A lot of tiredness is psychosomatic: which is to say that it’s a combination of both psychological and physical factors. If you are slumped with your shoulders down and arms hanging for instance, this will actually make you feel tireder. Stand with your arms up and out in a ‘V’ shape on the other hand and you’ll enjoy a surge in energy. This is a ‘power position’ and it’s a proven way to release more testosterone.
Likewise, if you’re feeling down, try smiling! ‘Facial feedback’ is a psychological phenomenon that tells us you only have to smile to put yourself in a good mood – even if it’s a fake smile, it works!
Go Outside
Not only will brisk air have the same effect as cold water but any sunshine you get will also trigger the release of positive hormones that help to wake you up and give you more energy.
Have a Snack
If you’re low on blood sugar, then your energy levels will dip in accordance. Don’t eat anything too sugary though, as this will cause a sudden spike followed by a serious dip. Instead, eat something that will slowly release energy throughout the day. A great choice is oats or a saturated fat source like avocado.
Take a Power Nap
If you have 10 minutes, grab a power nap. In fact, anything up to 20 minutes or over 90 minutes will work fine. Don’t stop in-between though, or you’ll wake up during the deepest ‘SWS’ stages of sleep, resulting in grogginess and the dreaded ‘sleep inertia’.
Otherwise, this is a great way to charge your batteries!
Listen to Rock Music
Energizing music is a great way to give yourself a boost. If you don’t fancy rock music, start with something low tempo and then gradually work your way up to faster tracks.
