A few ways to boost your energy and mood
You know the feeling. You’re feeling pretty OK, and then it happens, usually around 3:00 in the afternoon. It’s like the wall that was keeping exhaustion from ruining your day crumbles and suddenly you have nothing left—no energy, no focus and certainly no patience. Here’s what you do when that happens.
Eat
Great news. A snack may be all you need. And we’re not necessarily talking the super-healthy kind, though those are among your options. Just choose a snack with a little bit of all the stuff we often crave: carbs to get your energy up and protein and fat to keep that stamina going until your next meal. Stash a sleeve of whole wheat crackers and a jar of peanut butter in your desk drawer. Keep some trail mix in your glove box. Or make sure the fridge is always stocked with emergency veggies and hummus. These are just a few of the combinations that will send you back to Zen.
While we’re talking food, be sure to eat every meal. Food is fuel, so even skipping breakfast can have you starting the day running on fumes.
Drink
Maybe it’s not hunger at all. Maybe it’s thirst, a rather finicky feeling. Since it just can’t always seem to tell you straight out it’s there, it will sometimes disguise itself as hunger and other times as fatigue. Next time you’re feeling more tired than you should, take a break and grab a glass of water.
Move
If you’re still feeling sluggish, do what your body seems to be screaming at you not to do—exercise. A ten-minute walk at a slightly quicker pace than usual is usually the easiest way to get moving. That simple break can often give you the couple hours you need to get you back to your usual, upbeat self.
If you’re still having trouble keeping your energy, and in turn your cool, you might want to look past today’s fatigue and at the kinds of food you’re eating. If you find you’re getting less iron and magnesium than you should, consider adding foods rich in both to your diet.