Do you need more energy? Below are some simple and surprising, non-caffeinated energy boosters you can do to rev you up…
1. Change your socks. It sounds odd, right? But it works. The idea is to bring an extra pair of socks to your office and sometime around 3 p.m. when you hit your slump, take off your shoes and socks (and maybe air out your feet for a sec if you have a private office; if you don’t, that would be a nada) and then put a fresh pair of socks on. Voila! “You’ll be amazed at how much fresher you’ll feel,” write the Zen Habits bloggers. “This trick is especially handy on days with lots of walking.”
2. Reconsider your workout time. If you tend to work out at night, it might be messing with your sleep. Here’s why: People who work out too close to their bedtimes may flood their brains with stress hormones that can make it hard to fall asleep. A workout doesn’t do a body good when it leaves you sluggish and exhausted the next day because it prevented you from getting enough sleep.
3. Eat chia seeds. Favored by the Aztecs for their energy-boosting qualities, you can add these little seeds (P.S. we’re not talking about the Chia Pet here) to all kinds of snacks and recipes.
4. Sniff some citrus. Past research shows that citrus-scented essential oils or lotions can boost alertness. There, you have an excuse to shop for some grapefruit-scented lotion!
5. Get on your toes. If you’re feeling sleepy at your desk, take the advice of Connie Tyne, executive director of the Cooper Wellness Program in Dallas, who says the best way to wake up your circulatory system is to roll up and down on your toes. As the blood starts flowing, more nourishing oxygen and glucose are transported throughout your body so you feel more energized.
