Everyone has experienced waking up with a yawn, hitting the snooze button a few times, and finally rolling out of bed for work, school, or other obligations. Your responsibilities might not be letting up any time soon but developing healthy habits can have a huge impact on your energy in the morning and throughout the day. Here are a few habits that will help boost your energy levels to increase your productivity, health and even happiness.
How To Boost Your Energy In The Morning
No Snoozing
Hitting the snooze button and getting a few extra minutes of sleep is not on the list of tips for how to boost your energy in the morning. When your alarm jolts you awake, and you promptly drift back to sleep, your sleep cycle starts all over. Ever had the feeling where “I’m more tired now than when my first alarm went off?” You may end up in a deeper stage of sleep than the one you were in when your alarm sounded the first time.
Create a bedtime routine where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Through trial and error, figure out the best time to wake up — most commonly during your lightest phase of sleep. You will know it’s your lightest phase when you wake up easily, feeling refreshed rather than groggy.
Hydrate
Water helps your body perform at its full potential all day long. Drinking water first thing in the morning gives your digestive system a kick start in the right direction, signaling that it is time to start the day. Keep a bottle of water near your bedside to remind you to start sipping as soon as you wake up.
Eat Breakfast
This can be one of the more difficult to-dos to work into your morning routine, but it pays off throughout the day. Eating a proper breakfast provides your body with the energy and nutrients it needs to help you feel great all morning long.
It also puts your metabolism in motion and allows you to burn more calories throughout the entire day. Choose foods that are a mix of complex carbs, proteins and healthy fats to help balance your blood sugar levels and prevent sleep slumps.
Workout
Starting your day with exercise is one of the best ways to feel naturally energized before tackling your responsibilities and to-do list. The best part about working out in the morning is you are more likely to burn calories and work hard throughout the rest of the day.
If you are not a morning exercise person, don’t fret. The most important thing is making time for exercise at any point during the day. Doing so contributes positively to your overall health and helps you get more quality sleep.
How To Boost Your Energy In The Afternoon
Go Outside
Many jobs require you to sit at your desk for most of the day, which can leave you feeling drained and disconnected. Find time to take at least one break during the afternoon to step outside for some fresh air and a quick walk. Just a few minutes away from work will give you a fresh perspective and keep you out of that mid-afternoon slump.
Drink Green Tea
You might feel tempted to pour that second cup of coffee in the afternoon but opt for green tea instead. It will give you that little boost you need to finish out the rest of the day and is less likely to affect your sleep later that night. Green tea has also been proven to boost brain functioning, increase fat burning and improve dental health, just to name a few benefits.
Declutter Your Workspace
A more zen work environment will help your productivity. If your desk (or your email inbox) looks like a warzone, you’re set up to feel stressed. Take a few minutes after lunch each day to get organized. Your work environment plays a role in your energy, just like your bedroom plays a role in your sleep.
Snack
Before reaching for a sugary snack, consider if those snacks will offer your body the sustainable energy it needs. Come to work prepared with healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables to help fuel you. This will boost your energy, as well as reduce stress and improve focus. The same is true for bedtime snacks — the healthier, the better.
How To Boost Your Energy In The Evening
Skip The Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that fatigues you. It also disrupts your natural sleep cycle and can leave you feeling exhausted the following morning, especially when consumed in great quantities. If you want to stay energized in the evening and unwind naturally before bedtime, choose a different beverage.
Unplug
Keeping your electronics within arm’s reach throughout the night will only cause distractions and impinge on your sleep patterns. Exposure to blue light before bedtime has been proven to disrupt rest.
Try winding down with an article or book you can hold in your hands instead of a laptop or TV. This change may seem small but will make an enormous difference.
Make Sleep Happen
To ensure that you are energized tomorrow, get a good night’s rest tonight. Listen to your body, crawl under the sheets earlier and make sure you’re getting the amount of sleep that’s right for you. You’ll wake up in the morning feeling ready to take on the day!
Wake Up Feeling Good, Fall Asleep Feeling Great
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