WE’RE shopping and wrapping, cleaning and cooking, and celebrating with our nearest and dearest. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be enough to leave us feeling like we can’t do another thing.
It’s time for some energy boosters. Lynya Floyd, health director for Family Circle magazine, shared tips to feel more energized throughout these hectic holidays.
7:30 a.m. Hop out of bed and give me 10.
That’s 10 squats, lunges, push-ups or jumping jacks.
“The nice thing about this, it’s very easy, very fast,” Floyd said. “Exercise enhances blood flow, it pushes oxygen throughout your body, so you’re going to get a lift all morning long from doing this.”
8 a.m. Rev up with aromatherapy, and enjoy scents like peppermint and jasmine.
“There are certain scents like peppermint that will give you a little boost of energy, like jasmine during the day,” Floyd said. “So if you can get that into your toothpaste, if you can get that into your lotion, your body wash, that will absolutely give you the lift that you need.”
8:30 a.m. Make smart choices for breakfast, with a mix of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats.
“A nice smoothie that balances all of those instead of something that’s going to be quick and fast, like a doughnut or something that’s going to make your blood sugar crash. That’s going to make you tired, you don’t want that. You want satiety, you want to feel full and have energy throughout the day.”
9:30 a.m. Wait a few hours to have your morning coffee.
Don’t reach for the java first thing in the morning. “It’s all about when you drink this coffee,” Floyd said. “You’re going to wait until about 9:30. Know that your body has natural stimulants.”
10:30 a.m. Chew gum to increase attentiveness.
“It is refreshing, and will give you a little bit of a perk,” Floyd said.
3:30 p.m. Strike a power pose to feel more awake.
Try the “Wonder Woman” pose, with your hands on your hips, chest puffed out a bit and your chin up.
“Research has actually shown this gives you a little boost of testosterone,” Floyd said.
Stay hydrated all day long. “Hydration is really important because one of the signs of dehydration is feeling tired,” Floyd said.
Drinking ice water is “almost the equivalent of splashing your face with water,” Floyd said. “Get that ice water down.”
Healthy afternoon indulgence
“Instead of digging into a brownie or a cupcake or something like that, a little square of chocolate will give you a boost,” Floyd said. But stop at just one.
4:15 p.m. Play your favorite song.
“Music, it gets you going,” Floyd said. “Everyone knows how music can give you a nice boost when you’re stressed out, it can calm you.”
4:30 p.m. Beat the afternoon slump with green tea.
“It gives you the caffeine, it gives you that nice little oomph, and it’s not too much,” Floyd said. “Coffee can have a lot more caffeine in it than green tea can.”
5 p.m. Give yourself a massage by rubbing the outer edges of both ears for 30 seconds.
“Those are the energy channels in your body,” Floyd said.
With the holiday season in full swing, here’s to feeling wide awake from dawn till dusk. (Today.com)
