10 Natural Health Ways to Energize Your Day
By Amy Phillips-Gary

We all have our peaks and our lows when it comes to energy levels.

Some of us have a difficult time getting out of bed in the morning and can't seem to function without a cup of coffee. Others barrel through the morning, but then sometime in the afternoon or early evening, our energy drops and we can barely seem to move without help.

Some others of us feel exhausted most of the time. It can feel like we drag through our days fueled mostly by particular foods, drinks or over the counter (OTC) drugs.

What do you reach tend to reach for when your energy takes a nose dive? Is it coffee, tea, chocolate, “power” bars or those infamous “energy” drinks?

None of these are necessarily bad-- especially if consumed in moderation.

The trouble with stimulants like these is that the caffeine and sugar that can provide a temporary surge of energy will always spike and then disappear.

Just about every time, a person needs to consume more of the drink, food or OTC drug in order to recover from the crash that results.

A sugar or caffeine crash will not only leave you possibly feeling more exhausted than you were to begin with, you might also end up with a headache or heightened anxiety.

There is another way. In fact, there are quite a few natural ways to improve your energy...and all of these are sustainable.

A crucial first step in energizing yourself in natural and long-lasting ways is to stop doing what you normally do.

When you read through this list of 10 energy-boosting suggestions, you will likely find that you already know about many (or all) of them.

If so, use this list as a reminder. You might even print it out and keep it somewhere that is easily accessible to you.

Instead of pouring yourself another cup of coffee or eating that chocolate bar, try at least 1 natural health strategy that will not only get you through the rest of the work day, it can help you feel great, be healthier and more productive all at the same time.

10 Natural Health Energy-Boosting Strategies

Choose a fruit and nut snack
If you feel hungry or would just like something to munch, how about a piece of fruit and some nuts? The natural sugars in fruit can be a refreshing pick-me-up when energy is low. The protein in nuts can also bolster you.

Move, stretch and walk
If you spend the bulk of your day sitting at a desk, get up and walk around when you feel tired. No matter how busy you are, you can spare a few minutes to stand up, stretch your arms up to the ceiling and then down to touch your toes.

Conversely, if you are on your feet most of the day, sit or lie down. Lie on your back with your feet up a wall (in the shape of the letter “L”) or on a chair with your knees bent.

Breathe
For a quick energy increase, try this yoga breathing exercise:

The Bellows Breathing Technique*
Sit up straight in a comfortable chair. With your mouth closed, breathe in and out through your nose as quickly as you can. You should experience a gentle in and out pumping motion of your abdomen. Do not do this longer than 15 seconds until you are accustomed to this type of breathwork.

Read aloud a slogan or affirmation
You might tend to reject affirmations or slogans as corny, but give this a try anyway. Whenever you come across an uplifting quote in a book, online or hear one from another person, write it down.

I have a few affirmations that resonate for me that I've tacked up on the corkboard by my desk. When I am feeling tired, I read them out loud or to myself and I always get a boost.

Play energizing music
Create a playlist for that time of day when you tend to feel the most drained or exhausted (and it's not time for sleep). This can be any kind of music that gets your toes tapping and helps you feel lighter and ready for what's next.

Make an appreciation list
Take a few moments to jot down all of the people and things in your life for which you are grateful. Revel in the many blessings you enjoy-- big and small-- and watch how your energy shifts as a result.

Laugh
Talk with a friend or co-worker who is jovial and funny. Read a few pages of a joke book that brings out your big belly laughs. A good laugh is scientifically proven to raise energy levels.

Take a yoga break
Even if you've never tried yoga before, you can use simple yoga poses (also called asanas) to increase energy. Try this one:

Spinal Flex/Camel Ride*
Sit cross-legged on the floor. Place your hands on your shins or ankles. Inhale and exhale as you lift your chest forward and up-- look toward the ceiling as you do this. Next, inhale and exhale and round your spine, chin to chest, eyes looking down. You can slowly increase the speed of this movement if you'd like.

Use aromatherapy
Visit your local health food store or buy online an energizing aromatherapy blend. Essential oils such as peppermint, grapefruit, rosemary and ginger are all great for boosting energy.

Meditate
Even 5 or 10 minutes of silent meditation each day can significantly improve your energy level. You can repeat a mantra or calming phrase to yourself or you can sit comfortably with eyes open or closed and only focus on your breathing.
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*Click here to learn more about the Bellows Breathing Technique and other breathing exercises.

Amy Phillips-Gary is a freelance writer and a personal growth coach who specializes in helping women accept and love their bodies and themselves more fully. Click here for more information about coaching sessions with Amy.