Energy Boosting Tips for Spring

Want to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for action? Feel like you need more energy to see you through the whole day? Here are some simple energy boosting tips that might inspire you.

Pace Yourself Better
Is this you? Get up, rush around trying to do a hundred jobs in one day, only taking a break when exhausted and, at the end of the day, flop on the sofa totally wiped out. Pacing yourself is a great energy giving tool. All this means is taking short (e.g. 5 mins), regular (e.g. hourly) relaxation breaks when you simply sit and concentrate on your breathing, feeling your brain begin to grow quiet and your body relax. You will be amazed by the results.

Get Walking
Walking is a great way to raise energy levels. According to recent research just 5 minutes walking in 'green space' boosts wellbeing. It can also help to ease stress, improve sleep, increase muscle tone and boost metabolism. A regular, 10 minute brisk walk will get the heart pumping and oxygen circulating around your body; build up to 30 mins, three times a week and you should really see the benefits. So, think about when you can you make walking part of your daily routine. For example, could you walk to or from work or get out for a walk at lunch time, preferably in a park? If you get the bus, could you get off one stop early and walk? How about walking to the shops instead of driving?

Look At What You Eat
You've heard the phrase 'you are what you eat'? Well, if you are eating a lot of convenience foods full of artificial additives then you are unlikely to be bursting with energy. And, if you are over doing it on the caffeine, sugar and alcohol then you are simply lowering your immune function, weakening the adrenal system and affecting your blood sugar levels. You've heard it all before but now's the time to start practicing what you know. To begin with, don't skip breakfast, this is the most important meal of the day. Exchange your junk food for a diet rich in fruit and veg, whole grains and good quality protein. Visit www.ilovemanx.org to find out where to buy quality, fresh and good value food and details of farmers markets and farm shops. Also, www.nhs.uk/5aday is packed full of information and support to help you eat more healthily.

Start Juicing
Fresh juices, drunk straight away, provide the greater proportion of the beneficial nutrients that are stored in fruit and vegetable when compared with pre packaged juices. Fruit and vegetable juice contains plant chemicals known as phytochemicals which are known to be beneficial to our health in a number of ways. Juice is also a good source of vitamins. For example, carrot juice is good for vitamin A, peppers and citrus fruits are good for vitamin C and Pumpkin is good for vitamin E. A glass of fruit juice counts towards the five portions of fruit and veg we are advised to eat each day (NB. It can't make up more than one portion a day, however much you drink!). So, invest in a good juicer and get juicing and you will never look back.

Drink More Water
If you often feel tired then try looking at the amount of water you drink a day as you may be dehydrated. Did you know that the sensation of thirst is not triggered until you're already dehydrated? Water is essential to our bodies. It moves nutrients around the body and helps expel toxic waste products. When we breathe and sweat we lose water by evaporation. The body gets its fluid from both drinks and solid foods, especially fruit and vegetables. In our climate, around 6 to 8 medium glasses of fluid per day are recommended. Water is seen as providing the optimal hydration but other sources can include squash, juices and even tea and coffee (although for some people caffeine can act as a diuretic which will cause fluid loss). Water can be tap or bottled, you can add a slice of lemon or lime to brighten it or some squash to give it some flavour; however, avoid lots of sugary drinks as this may promote tooth decay, particularly in children.