7 tips to boost your energy — naturally

Energy levels can have a big impact on our mood, personal motivation, our interaction with others?and our performance in all areas of our lives.

The days when energy levels are low can be a struggle, here are some ways that you can help to increase your vitality.

1.?Improve your posture

Poor posture can play a big part in causing slumping energy levels and physical pain?including?tension/pain in the neck, back, knees and hips, and poor circulation.?

Studies have shown that people who?sit upright with a lifted chest?vs. sitting in a slumped, chest collapsed position had increased energy, more?confidence in their thoughts, a?positive mood and more positive self-esteem.?

2. Remember to Breathe

Breathing with awareness can have an immediate effect on flagging energy levels by promoting oxygen delivery throughout the body.

Breathing exercises are also very effective at stress management .

Try deepening your breathing in through the nose and out through the nose during the day.?

Alternatively, Alternate Nostril Breathing, this is a wonderful breathing technique anytime of the day to refresh you if you feel fatigued and calm you if you feel anxious.

3. Sleep

Good quality sleep allows our bodies to rest and rebuild physically and our minds to process the day we have just experienced.?

Feeling refreshed from a good sleep contributes to our general sense of wellbeing, it allows us to move into a flow state more easily, maintain a positive mindset and build a better connection with ourselves and others.

4. Practice Yoga

A regular yoga practice builds your natural vitality, as a result?you start to feel more energised and rejuvenated throughout the whole day.?

The physical practice of yoga helps to keep you in good health, it keeps your bones and muscles strong, helps you to increase flexibility, however more importantly it helps you to feel energetic and increases your vitality.?

If you’re feeling an energy slump try a back bend, twist, an inversion or a standing pose (see images above), or you can stay seated in your chair and try this seated spinal movement:

5.?It’s not just WHAT you eat it’s also HOW you eat

A)Leave 2 to 3 hours between your dinner and the time you go to bed.

• Your digestion will be mostly completed when you lie down so your body can repair and rejuvenate. Plus you will feel alert in the morning.
• If it?sounds too difficult to eat earlier, here is some great advice from Nutirtionist Valerie Perret

B) Chew your food and put your fork down between each bite.

By taking the time to consciously put your fork down, you calm your nervous system and digests more efficiently with less energy.

• Remember Digestion starts in your mouth.
• Chew each bite an average 20 to 30 times. This will give your stomach a break.
• You will need less energy to digest and get more for yourself.
• Digestion also improves as you slow down.

C) ….Of course, what you eat matters too :)

Avoid calorie-rich, nutrient-poor food.

They require the same energy to digest as wholefood without bringing the fuel your cells need to produce energy.

Forget ice cream, cookies, white bread, pasta, or pizza. Bring in hummus and carrot sticks, or try this delicious recipe from our Nutritionist Valerie Perret

6. Make time for Rest… and fun

Life can be an endless list of chores and to-do lists, we often forget to rest and the importance of bringing fun into our lives.

Make time to?connect with others, have fun, take time in nature, read a book or talk with a friend with no distractions

7.?Watch What You Drink

Dehydration can quickly affect mental and physical performance and lead to fatigue.

Keep a bottle or glass near you throughout the day, and refill on a regular basis.

Reducing or cutting out alcohol can help you sleep better and feel more alert through the day.

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