Increase Your Energy Now

mailBy Cathy Goldstein

Staying ahead of the curve in business and in your private life takes energy. Tons and tons of energy. But you can dump the energy-in-a-can drinks and ramp up your own natural rhythm and pace in three easy steps.

Now, I’m sure you thought I was going to tell you about boosting your energy through dietary changes. Hey, don’t get me wrong – diet is critically important. But these 3 steps are easy and revitalize your energy immediately.

Hydration, Exercise, and Breathing. Follow these 3 steps and you will have people asking you where you get all your energy from.

Hydration: You Are What You Drink

While the saying “you are what you eat” is certainly true enough, there is another that is even more important: You are what you drink.

We’ve all had that feeling of dehydration. Headache, tired and even shaky. But, usually, by the time you feel thirsty you are long past being dehydrated. Since our bodies are made up primarily of liquid – approximately 70% — it makes sense that much of our energy can come from replenishing those liquids. My suggestion for you: coconut water.

Here’s what I love about coconut water. Unlike sugary drinks … even many sports drinks masquerading as healthy for you … coconut water is low calorie (about 45 per 8 ounces), low sugar and gives you potassium and calcium without adding a bucket load of sodium.

Bottom line is our bodies need 2 to 3 liters of hydrating liquids per day at a minimum. Coffee, caffeinated teas, and soda pop do not count and in fact are counter productive for hydrating. Try coconut water diluted with water to increase your fluids. Make sure to keep track of your intake, hydration is the easiest way to increase your energy and decrease your aches and pains especially headaches.

Even a 20-Minute Walk Around the Parking Lot Amps Up Energy

Our bodies are made up of millions upon trillions of cells and those cells need hydration and exercise in order to function properly and keep you bursting with energy.

It’s easy to get caught up in the gotta-go-to-the-gym-but-I-don’t-have-time merry go round. You sit at your desk, sit in the car, and sit at home. But improving your energy is as easy as walking.

Instead of taking your coffee or lunch break in the break room or around a water cooler, go outside and walk around the building or around the parking lot. You don’t have to work up a sweat to get the benefits. Mere movement will help your cells get the exercise they crave.

Wait, cells need exercise? Yes they do if you’re going to have sustained energy throughout your busy day. Your muscles have special cells of their own that need to be exercised. And walking is a great start.

Even some  jumping up and down – you can do this at your desk or outside before you walk – helps reduce inflammation and increases your immune system’s response to foreign invaders by increasing the flow of fluid between your cells.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

Breathing is something we take for granted but is as important an energy booster as hydration and exercise. And you don’t need any special equipment or time. You can do either one of these simple exercises anywhere and anytime:

Revitalizing Breathing: This one involves short breaths and a brief rest in between sets. Give it a try. You should feel increased energy after doing this exercise. Make some breathing noise with this one.

Inhale 8 short breathing cycles per set – also known as invigorated breathing — 3 times in through the nose and then 3 times out through the mouth in short breaths quickly. Count one as 3 short breaths in and 3 short breaths out then repeat a total of ten times for one set. Breathe normally to rest in between sets for 10 seconds and then repeat for 3 to 10 times.

After performing this exercise you’ll notice that you’ll begin to breathe deeper during the 10 second rest cycles and deeper overall which will help keep your energy high. This exercise can also be done several times per day; when you wake in the morning to get you going, while you’re doing your 20 minute walk, and at the end of your busy day. One warning is that these short breaths may make you dizzy at first so please do these when you’re a passenger in a car rather than as a driver.

Calming Breathing: This is a breathing exercise for relaxing as well as pumping up your energy. You’ll be inhaling through your nose and exhaling, noisily, through your mouth.

Inhaling slowly through your nose for 8 seconds and then hold that breath for 6 seconds. Then breathe out through your mouth for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 8 times for the best effect.

And there you have it. Three fantastic and simple ways to increase your energy and power through your day without out the artificial stimulants of caffeine. So when you find yourself yawning and unable to stay focused your body is telling you it needs oxygen, hydration and circulation. Give it all three and you will be thrilled with the results.

Cathy Goldstein is founder of Integrative Health and Allergy Center of Jacksonville Florida and has 25 years of experience helping patients with their health challenges.  Cathy is the founder and a contributing author for Your Health Upfront http://www.facebook.com/YourHealthUpfronta resource center for informed health and wellness. Her book Five Steps to Alkaline Health is to be released soon. She is a highly requested conference speaker and travels the U.S. teaching the benefits of alternative medicine. She constantly strives to bring new and innovative techniques to her clients and fellow professionals to help patients lead healthier and happier lives. 

For more articles and information on your health go to http://yourhealthupfront.com.
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