KEEP YOUR ENERGY LEVELS SOARING

In today’s busy world we all need to find ways to keep our energy levels in line with the demands made on us. Recently I came across a list of ideas that may help to keep us movin’ and shakin’ the way we need to.

Stretching

Take a moment for a stretch each hour or so throughout the day. This helps prevent stiffness, increases blood circulation, and gives you an energy burst. Try this: Stand up, take a deep breath, raise your arms and reach for the sky; hold. Release the stretch, exhale and drop your arms. Next, begin with the crown of your head and roll down, vertebrae by vertebrae, until you’re hanging forward. Let your arms dangle. Shake and nod your head gently to loosen the neck. Without locking your knees, feel the stretch in the back of your thighs. Enjoy this stretch for a few minutes.

Pummel Yourself

Borrow this gentle, invigorating exercise from the energy-cultivating practice of qigong. Gently “drum” the insides and outsides of your arms and down your sides and legs with a loosely closed fist; then drum up the insides of your legs, your abdomen and solar plexus, neck, and lower back. This thumping can stimulate the flow of qi or life energy and increase circulation — plus, it just feels really good.

Eat Early and Often

If you skip breakfast and chow down a meager lunch, you may hit a wall by mid-afternoon. Once you finally get home, you’re ravenous, and at that point your body will not be able to recoup the nutrients it lost all day. Eat a breakfast of complex carbs, protein, and a little fat. Also consider eating several light but nutritious mini-meals throughout the day.

Don’t Brew … Squeeze Instead

Start the day with a glass of hot water, the juice of one-quarter to one-half a lemon, and a pinch of  cayenne pepper (you can add a little honey if you want). Why is this a detox staple? “Due to its sour taste, lemon juice stimulates digestive juices and the release of bile from the liver,” says Cathy Wong, N.D. “Cayenne stimulates the secretion of gastric acids in the stomach and raises the metabolic rate.” Theoretically, she says, this can increase fat burning and thus the release of fat-soluble toxins from fat cells. Translation: It gets things moving.

Take a Contrast Shower

Hot-cold hydrotherapy, practiced by the Finns for the past 2,000 years, is believed to strengthen immunity, increase circulation, and have a stimulating effect on the body. Though the ancient ritual did not involve a shower, or modern plumbing for that matter, you probably don’t have immediate access to a sauna and a snow bank, so this will do. After showering, turn the knob to as cold as you can stand it for 30 seconds, switch back to warm, and end on cold. Get your nape, back and chest. Repeat two or three times.

I’ll see you in the fast lane!

Comments

[Timothy W.]

WELCOME BACK, VONNIE!!!! IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE SAVORED YOUR LAST, YET STILL FANTASTIC, POST!!!

WOW, boosting and maintaining energy are definitely my major tasks for keeping my body functioning appropriately these days, and the tips are TRULY brilliant! PLEASE keep the GREAT WORK going, Vonnie! What a BIG surprise to seeing you back!

Bravo to ALL your brilliant posts!

Best Regards,
Tim W.