Monday, March 11, 2013

Exhausted? Don't Let Spring Forward Ruin Your Day!

If you are feeling anything like me today, you want to crawl back into bed, pull the covers over your head, and go back to sleep for most of this rainy day.  Daylight Savings Time is an evil, evil ritual.
Due to the fact that I feel like I might collapse from exhaustion at some point today (and I have to assume I'm not the only one), I decided to share some natural energy boosting tips for those of you who aren't having success pounding back 17 cups of coffee this morning.

Here's the first good news of this blog post - we are going to make it through today!  You know what the best natural energy booster is?  (You know what I'm going to say, don't you?)  EXERCISE!  Even though working out is about the last thing you feel like doing when you are exhausted and wanting to curl into the fetal position under a heated blanket, increasing your physical activity increases energy.  Even as little as 10 minutes of brisk walking can boost energy for as long as 2 hours.  So, if you haven't gone out for your run or walk today, try to squeeze it in sooner rather than later so you can get through the rest of the day!


The other way to boost your energy levels naturally (and quickly)?  Proper nutrition!  Start your day off with a balanced breakfast, drink lots of water, and make sure you get plenty of critical nutrients from fruits, vegetables, lean meats, etc.  If you're feeling sluggish today, try to limit your sugar intake and eat more whole grains.  It's all about keeping your blood sugar constant, as any big spikes are only going to make you feel more tired.  Last, but not least, try to snack on healthy foods to keep your energy up throughout the day.  Try eating something with a combination of carbs (for a quick energy boost) and protein (for lasting energy) like peanut butter on whole wheat crackers.

If all else fails, take a power nap!  Take heart in the fact that next time dreaded Daylight Savings Time hits us, we will be getting this hour back.  Good luck staying awake today!

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