Ever feel like you waste so much of your day because you're too tired to do anything? Well, I know I do. After a long busy day at the office, more times than not I just want to go straight for my bed when I get home, or I am just the laziest of bums on the weekends. After awhile of living like this and not getting other things done besides work or school can make you feel not so great about life. I have personally found that "powering through" doesn't always work without some extra boosters in my life. Here are 5 ways to having more energy throughout your week:
1. Get enough sleep
Ok you may be saying, "well duh Diana, but how am I supposed to do that when I work at 7am and have a mountain of homework and kids to take care and a house to clean and friends to hang out with?" I completely understand all of this. Life tends to get in the way of sleep, A LOT. However, sleep is so important for staying healthy and happy. I suggest getting a good night sleep at least 4 nights a week. That gives you 3 nights to be up late going out, doing homework, getting extra things done around the house, or whatever it is that may be keeping you up late in to the wee hours of the night. I don't think there are a massive amount of people out there that need to only be getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep every night of the week because they are just so busy they can't live any other way. If that is true for anyone, I personally think they made need to make a slight lifestyle change. You will never survive on that little of sleep every night of your life. So pick a decent bed time, and hit the hay 4 times a week at that time.
2. Stretch throughout the day
Stretching in the morning will get your blood flowing and help get your energy up right away. However, I am definitely one of those people who experience that 2pm drowsy hour. I have found if I do some stretches to get my blood flowing yet again, I get a nice second wind and can finish my day out strong. Try it out when ever you start hitting a wall. Not only does it provide you a little break from whatever you're doing but it will help rejuvenate you for the next round of tasks you need to get done during your day.
3. Take breaks
Number two leads nicely in to number three. A stretch break is great, but you need a little bit more than that during the day. Take short 5 minute breaks every couple hours. You need to eat, walk, and rest your mind sometimes. If you are just going going going for 10 hours straight, you won't last all day, every day. I love taking walks during my lunch hour at work. It's so refreshing and energizing. I noticed big time in the winter when it was too cold to go outside that I was so much more tired during the afternoon. Fresh air does wonders.
4. Eat well
Please don't just load up on coffee and candy all day. You will crash big time and have a horrible headache that will just lead you to your bed for the rest of the day and nothing will be accomplished. Eating small and healthy meals all throughout the day will keep your energy up. No doubt about it. Have a good breakfast, a small snack mid-morning, a decent sized lunch, a filling afternoon snack, a delicious dinner, and to reward yourself for your hard days work, a little dessert before bed. Fruit, veggies, and nuts are all good snacks to keep you going throughout the day.
5. Exercise
I know sometimes life limits us on time to get a workout in, but when you do have some down time, even going for a walk can make a world of difference. "Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people..." you can fill in the blank yourself but if I were to fill it in (just don't shoot their husbands...ok just kidding) I would say, "have lots of energy!" Happiness = energy.
Happy Weekend, everyone! Make it a great one.
1. Get enough sleep
Ok you may be saying, "well duh Diana, but how am I supposed to do that when I work at 7am and have a mountain of homework and kids to take care and a house to clean and friends to hang out with?" I completely understand all of this. Life tends to get in the way of sleep, A LOT. However, sleep is so important for staying healthy and happy. I suggest getting a good night sleep at least 4 nights a week. That gives you 3 nights to be up late going out, doing homework, getting extra things done around the house, or whatever it is that may be keeping you up late in to the wee hours of the night. I don't think there are a massive amount of people out there that need to only be getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep every night of the week because they are just so busy they can't live any other way. If that is true for anyone, I personally think they made need to make a slight lifestyle change. You will never survive on that little of sleep every night of your life. So pick a decent bed time, and hit the hay 4 times a week at that time.
2. Stretch throughout the day
Stretching in the morning will get your blood flowing and help get your energy up right away. However, I am definitely one of those people who experience that 2pm drowsy hour. I have found if I do some stretches to get my blood flowing yet again, I get a nice second wind and can finish my day out strong. Try it out when ever you start hitting a wall. Not only does it provide you a little break from whatever you're doing but it will help rejuvenate you for the next round of tasks you need to get done during your day.
3. Take breaks
Number two leads nicely in to number three. A stretch break is great, but you need a little bit more than that during the day. Take short 5 minute breaks every couple hours. You need to eat, walk, and rest your mind sometimes. If you are just going going going for 10 hours straight, you won't last all day, every day. I love taking walks during my lunch hour at work. It's so refreshing and energizing. I noticed big time in the winter when it was too cold to go outside that I was so much more tired during the afternoon. Fresh air does wonders.
4. Eat well
Please don't just load up on coffee and candy all day. You will crash big time and have a horrible headache that will just lead you to your bed for the rest of the day and nothing will be accomplished. Eating small and healthy meals all throughout the day will keep your energy up. No doubt about it. Have a good breakfast, a small snack mid-morning, a decent sized lunch, a filling afternoon snack, a delicious dinner, and to reward yourself for your hard days work, a little dessert before bed. Fruit, veggies, and nuts are all good snacks to keep you going throughout the day.
5. Exercise
I know sometimes life limits us on time to get a workout in, but when you do have some down time, even going for a walk can make a world of difference. "Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, happy people..." you can fill in the blank yourself but if I were to fill it in (just don't shoot their husbands...ok just kidding) I would say, "have lots of energy!" Happiness = energy.
Happy Weekend, everyone! Make it a great one.