1. Inhale an energizing scent.
According to research, lemon and peppermint scents are the energizing scents. You can have a cup of lemon or peppermint tea or just chew on peppermint gum. Even simply sniffing a bottle of peppermint or lemon extract is a quick and easy way to get energized.
2. Sip ice water
Personally, I don’t drink anything really cold but one study said that drinking ice water keeps your cells hydrated and helps you burn calories. I understand the burning calories part but think any
temperature water will help you stay hydrated. The theory is that drinking something cold raises your metabolism in order to keep your body temperature from falling. Thus, burning extra calories.
3. Practice “one-breath” meditation.
This is an easy but powerful method that you can practice anywhere and anytime that you feel tired or out of sorts. You just sit in a comfortable chair, straighten your back, relax your shoulders, and take a deep breath. Be sure to let the air “open” your chest. Hold your breath for as long as you can and then exhale through your mouth and let all your tension escape. One blogger I follow, Stacey Mayo, explains a “Stillness Experiment” you can try. It is explained at http://www.balancedliving.com/stillness_instructions.html.
4. Do abdominal exercise.
This techniques is especially good to use while sitting at your desk (or maybe stuck in traffic). Sit up straight. Place your hands on hips with thumbs pointing toward your back. Exhale slowly and completely, pushing the last air out forcefully with your lower abdominals. Repeat this up to 10 times a day or try each time you sit down at your desk or get stuck in traffic or sit down to eat a meal.
5. Bask in bright light.
You can get a powerful surge of energy from sunlight or a full-spectrum light. To do this, I just take a 5-minute break outdoors a few times a day. If you live in an area with little sunlight during winter months of the year, you should consider getting a full-spectrum light for “light therapy.”
Poor posture when you are sitting at your desk can cause tension headaches, vision problems and pain the jaw, neck, and back. If you spend a great deal of time on the telephone, get a headset and never cradle the phone between your ear and shoulder.
7. Moderate indoor pollution.
When possible, keep your windows open. Check your gas appliances annually and make sure they are vented properly. Use the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen. Try to inhale the freshest air possible. You probably don’t live at 9000 feet in the Colorado Rockies like I do but be sure to get as much “fresh” air as possible. Children spend too much time indoors these days playing computer games so get out there with them and play some ball or hide and seek. You’ll all feel better for it.
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