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10 Ways to Boost Your Mood and Energy Levels

Boost-Your-Mood-and-Energy-Levels

We all need a little pick-me-up once in a while, especially when we hit that afternoon slump. But is coffee the only way to achieve an energy boost to help get you through the day? Not necessarily. There are a wide range of awesome food and drink items, as well as mental and physical exercises that can actually help improve your mood and give you newfound energy to power through your day. Letโ€™s take a look!

1. Caffeine

Caffeine

This is the most common way to get a much needed energy boost, whether it be first thing in the morning, when you hit that afternoon wall, or before a night shift at work. Caffeine releases adrenaline into your body, along with other catecholamines. The effects of this release are an increased heart rate, more blood reaching the muscles of your body and a release in sugar, which helps boost energy.

Caffeine is found is a long list of beverages from soft drinks and teas to coffees and espresso. If you are regular coffee drinker, investing in a coffee maker or espresso machine for your home or office might be the remedy to that afternoon slump.

2. Sugar Rush

Though itโ€™s been proven that sugar doesnโ€™t actually result in hyper children, chocolate does offer some mood and energy boosting properties. Chocolate actually contains caffeine! Plus, certain ingredients found in cocoa used to make chocolate can improve cognitive skills and act as a mood elevator. So the next time youโ€™re having trouble focusing, pop a piece of chocolate to help get those creative juices flowing.

3. Exercise

Exercise, Recover,

Exercise is a proven endorphin release. Thatโ€™s because any type of physical activity increases your heart rate, releasing those energy boosting endorphins. If you find it difficult to get started in the morning, try incorporating a morning workout routine. It will take effort, but the increased energy levels will be worth it and help you tackle your day. The same holds true for the afternoon. If you find yourself in a slump, take a walk, jog up and down the stairs, or use your companyโ€™s gym. An afternoon sweat sesh will leave you feeling energized and invigorated.

4. Take a Power Nap

Perhaps on the complete opposite spectrum from an afternoon workout is an afternoon nap! Naps arenโ€™t just for preschoolers anymore. But as adults, less is better when it comes to napping. If you have the ability to, take a 10 or 20 minutes power nap when you feel your eyelids getting heavy and energy levels dip. A few minutes snooze might be all you need to bounce back from your day.

5. Eat Often

eating-healthy-food

If you wait too long between meals, your body will experience a drop in blood sugar, which also means a drop in energy levels. Food is fuel for your body and your body needs it to function properly. Spacing out meals and snacks every two to three hours is best for staying alert and can actually lead to weight loss, as long as youโ€™re consuming healthy snacks. Just beware of mindless eating or eating out of boredom.

6. Get Some Fresh Air

Not only will a cool breeze or warm sunshine on your face make you feel more alive, but the act of getting up and getting outside can actually help to break those drowsy moods. This outside time can also act as your midday exercise routine. Take a walk outdoors and youโ€™ll be killing two birds with one stone. And if youโ€™re looking for a mood booster โ€“ the healthy dose of oxygen you get from going outside actually increases the amount of serotonin you inhale, making you instantly happier.

7. Reach for Cold Water

Fighting Fatigue

Cold water can be used in two different ways to help combat fatigue. One, is by either splashing it on your face or taking a cold shower. Start your morning this way by ending that hot shower with a few seconds of cold water to awaken your body and senses. Or, duck into the bathroom in the afternoon and splash some cold water onto your face.

If this doesnโ€™t sound appealing to you, drinking cold water can actually help keep you alert as well. Drinking water is imperative to staying hydrated and healthy overall, but did you know dehydration can lead to fatigue? Thatโ€™s because dehydration negatively impacts the flow of oxygen from to your brain, causing your heart to work harder, resulting in a feeling of weakness. Staying hydrated can help you stay awake.

8. Stretch

With yoga being one of the worldโ€™s most popular forms of exercise, itโ€™s no wonder that the benefits of stretching are reaching people from all walks of life. Standing up at your desk and performing a few basic stretches can actually help awaken your muscles and bring awareness back to your mind and body.

9. Turn Up the Lights

Turn Up the Lights

Our bodies are well-oiled machines. That means that they work on an internal clock that helps regulate sleeping, eating, and other basic functions. Did you know that sitting or working in a dark room can actually signal your body that itโ€™s time for sleep? Even in the middle of the afternoon! That means that if youโ€™re feeling drowsy in a room with darkened shades or dim lighting, you need to open the blinds to let some natural light in or add a few more light fixtures.

10. And the Music

Not only will turning up the lights help boost your energy levels, but turning up the volume on your music can result in an instant pick-me-up. Select music that you know gets your adrenaline pumping and your body moving. Tapping your fingers on the desk or your foot on the floor can increase circulation and get your blood pumping. This increase of blood flow also helps oxygen flow to your brain and muscles, increasing energy. You can even sing along to help get things moving!

Snacks, Stretching, Showers, and More

Whether youโ€™re brewing a cup of coffee, popping some chocolate, or getting outside for some fresh air and exercise, there are so many options when it comes to boosting your mood and finding some extra energy. Keep these tips and tricks in mind the next time youโ€™re dragging yourself out of bed or falling asleep at your desk!rticle Submitted By Community Writer

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