Fighting fatigue can be an uphill battle, and for some of us, that battle lasts all day. How do the urban athletes, do-it-all parents and big time CEOs keep going? Turns out, adjusting your daily routine in simple ways can boost energy levels and mood simultaneously. Adopting some of the new habits suggested here might be rough at first. But stick with it for a week—you’ll thank yourself for the effort.
1. Prep for Tomorrow, Today
Most of us don’t get enough sleep to wake up truly refreshed. So chances are, you function better at night. Use this to your advantage by preparing your morning routine the night before. Set a time to do things, such as fill the coffee machine, pull out the frying pan for your morning meal, or set out your outfit to lessen mishaps and frustrations in the morning.
2. Calm Nighttime Stomach Growling
What you eat has a huge effect on your energy level. When your stomach starts growling at night, what’s really happening is that your brain is looking for some form of energy. It might seem counterintuitive to eat later in the night, but have a snack, or that growl will keep you awake. Just make it something healthy and satisfying, like thick Greek yogurt or crunchy almonds.
3. Know What to Eat When
It might be satisfying to come home and eat a big plate of comfort food. But dinnertime is when you need the least amount of calories. Breakfast, however, makes all the difference in how you feel throughout the day. Most of us are pretty much addicted to coffee and find it easy to grab a bagel or muffin for the first meal of the day. But these simple carbs and caffeine will lead to a quick crash. Opt for something with protein and complex carbs that fuel you longer—oatmeal with fruit, for instance. Most of us are unwilling to give up our java, so spreading your consumption out in smaller amounts throughout the day will help you avoid a crash.
4. Lighten Up on Morning Exercise
Exercise is a staple for energy maintenance, but we all know how hard it is to fit in a workout. If you already workout in the morning, remember the day’s schedule ahead of you. Don’t make morning exercise intense. Instead, save and build your energy for the day with a light exercise—a brisk walk, which will give you a long-term boost. Save the fitness training for after work. It will help relieve stress and aid in sleeping.
5. Get Solar Powered!
Getting sunlight in the morning is a great way to eliminate grogginess. But if you wake up in the wee hours of the morning, turn on “daylight” energy saving bulbs immediately. Avoid the snooze button! Take the extra 15 minutes of uninterrupted sleep and get up right away. This might seem ungodly, but think of how much more awake you feel when jolted awake in the middle of the night rather than getting up later that morning. To simulate the same kind of hormone surge, do some jumping jacks right after opening your eyes. While the first few might feel awful, you’ll feel great by the time your halfway through a set of say, 50.
