9 Secrets to Increasing Your Energy without Coffee or Energy Drinks

Sandra in Health 10/04/2014

Many of us seem to live hectic, busy, over-scheduled lives. The idea that you can increase your energy by making a few simple changes to some behaviors or by adding some healthful choices and activities is quite attractive.

As you know, energy drinks are full of sugar and unhealthy. Coffee can also have empty calories unless it’s black coffee. Both will give you a short energy boost but will also produce a crash that can make you feel worse than before you had the drink.

The following tips can be used anytime, are free and won’t give you that dreaded energy crash.

Revitalize your energy levels by making these simple additions and changes to your life:

(Surprise surprise) Become vegetarian! Bump up your number of vegetable servings a day to 5 to 7. After the third or fourth day, you’ll feel the difference.
Exercise or do some type of physical activity five or six days a week. Even though the mention of exercise might make you think your schedule will be more cramped and you’ll probably sap your energy doing it, facts are facts: Exercise kicks your energy up a notch.
- It can be a brisk 30-minute walk, bike ride, or jog. If you prefer, stop by your local health club and work out for an hour.
Find your own ways to rejuvenate. Does listening to music, watching a motivational video or snuggling up with a book for 30 minutes make your busy world fade and jump-start your inspiration and energy? Use those moments to your advantage.
- If sitting at a desk for an hour or more and feeling tired get up and walk around. Take a call on a wireless headset and walk around your office.
- Try some simple stretches for creaky muscles to help you relax and re-energize.
- Be acutely aware of your energy levels throughout your day. Whatever you discover brings you some quick energy, take advantage of it.
Drink a full glass of water. Yes, not coffee, water. This is a secret not many know about, maybe because it’s so simple. A glass or two of water can give you a quick energy boost. Dehydration causes fatigue, but even if you’re not dehydrated drinking water can increase your metabolism and assist your body in operating efficiently.
Rest your mind. What if you were to stare at your flower garden for 20 minutes or watch your 3-year-old dig in the sandbox?
- Let whatever thoughts vex you float off into the wild blue yonder and simply rest your mind.
- When you do, your psyche will be cleared out enough to re-load your schedule and tasks later on.
Breathe. Deep breathing has so many magical qualities. Everything that’s going on in your body requires oxygen and your breathing process brings it in.
- When you take several moments to just breathe, you’re subjectively stopping your world to imbibe in the sanctity of breathing.
- Try breathing in through your nose to the count of 4, holding it a couple of seconds, then exhaling through your mouth. Repeat 4 times.
- Perform this breathing exercise twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You’ll unlock new energy and feel better.
Pick up the free weights. Did you know weight-bearing exercises for the upper body can boost your energy reserves? Whether you use one-pound, two-pound, or five-pound weights, perform some upper arm exercises for about 15 minutes 3 or 4 days a week.
- As your muscles build, your energy will strengthen.
Mind your stress. Stress can be one of the biggest energy drains you’ll experience. So, it’s wise to do everything you can to successfully manage your stress. Many of the points listed above will help with stress.
- Keep your schedule under control by allowing free time between appointments and time to catch up in order to control the level of stress in your life.
- Talk with your friends when you feel stressed. Refrain from using substances like nicotine and alcohol, as they are some of the biggest energy zappers of all.
Perform self-care, physically and emotionally. How you treat yourself is intimately related to how you store energy. Positive thoughts keep you feeling safe, comfortable, and healthy. Your emotional and physical worlds share a strong connection.