Working with people over the years has made me realize that our energy levels are not constant and tend to waver as the day progresses. Therefore how would it be, if you could ensure that your energy levels are constant through the day?
I have seen days where I have been at my absolute best and some days where I have been down in the dumps with no energy whatsoever to even do the menial of jobs. Working with people closely, I have realized that there has to be something that each one of us can do, irrespective of our environment, to be totally energized and ready to take on the world. Given below are some of the pointers which I have used to change my own life and that of my clients. These have worked out wonderfully well over the years to help one stay energized –
Regulate your sleep pattern:Humans are not nocturnal by nature and we need our regular sleep. This gets synchronized with our own body clock. The Easiest thing to do is to ensure that you sleep and wake up at the same time every day, including the weekend. This regular cycle plays a critical role in ensuring that you have sustained energy through the day. It might take couple of days to reset your internal clock but mind you, the long term benefits are worth the effort in gold.
Stay well hydrated:I notice that most people are dehydrated through the day without realizing that Dehydration is a sinister cause of fatigue. It can have a crippling effect on your energy levels. As a thumb rule go for at the least 8-10 cups of water a day. I generally have a lot more than 8 cups in a day, especially now in the summer. Try this for a week and you will notice that your energy levels will increase drastically within no time.
Consume more fiber: Soluble fiber is the kind that slows down the rate of sugar absorption in the system. This eventually plays a direct role in preventing a sugar high and crash. Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet which will also drastically increase your antioxidants. This plays a vital role in eliminating the free radicals in the body. Stick as close to the recommended 5 servings of fruits & vegetable in a day and you will be on the way towards a more energetic you.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals: Smaller meals through the day will maintain a steady dose of energy through the day instead of a couple of large meals. This will not only help you sustain energy but also burn more calories. This will work for those people who are also planning to lose some weight. I had moved to this particular eating pattern even when I was working out of a cubicle. If you are little bit creative you will figure out ways and means to make this a reality irrespective of your work schedule.
Breathe more deeply: Most of the people are surprised when I bring up this topic, when I am coaching or in my Wellness Seminars. Most of the people are not consciously aware of their breathing patterns and breathe faster due to stress. The thumb rule is to make time a couple of times during the day to take in deep breaths, hold and breathe again .I usually call this the 121 approach. Which is, say if you breathe in for 4 seconds then you need to hold your breath for 8 seconds and then breathe out for another 4 seconds. Yes for those familiar with Yoga this is nothing but what you do during pranayama. The key is holding your breath for twice the time you breathe in. This will ensure that you get energized within minutes. I practice this for a large part of my Yoga routine early in the morning. It is magical and completely blows me away.
Be active: By being on your feet, you are stimulating your circulatory system which incidentally delivers much needed oxygen through the body. Physiology plays a critical role in how we feel from the inside. By walking straight and confidently you are working on both the kegs which are critical for sustained energy levels. Body language is most important factor here. The moment you drop your shoulders then you tend to go low on energy.
Being energetic is a sustained effort which is not Rocket science. However being aware that it takes some effort and practice will make a rather ordinary day into an eventful one. I Would Love to hear about how you do manage to be energetic and pull your socks up when your own energy level drops during the day on my Facebook page or at my mail coach@satishrao.in