tired? note these ways to fight it!

Getting tired? 9 ways to boost your energy:

We all experience energy slumps during our working day, but new research has pin-pointed 2:16 PM as the time most of us flag.

1.) Wake up naturally
If your alarm wakes you in a deep-sleep cycle, you'll feel sluggish for hours, according to research in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Use an alarm clock that gently increases light for a natural awakening.

2.) Take cold showers
Alternating your shower temperature between hot and cold speeds up your metabolism and boosts circulation, eliminating sluggishness. Tests at the Thrombosis Research Institute in London found that regular cold baths and showers increase the oxygen flow to the body, rejuvenating tissues and making you more alert.

3.) Suck a mint
US researchers found that athletes who sniffed peppermint ran faster and for longer - with less effort - than those exposed to no scent at all. Dr Bryan Raudenbush, who led the study, concluded that mints probably enhanced breathing by clearing the airways.

4.) Breathe deeply
Breathing deeply sharpens your general awareness by supplying the brain with fresh oxygen. It also relieves tension, calms the nerves and lowers the heart rate. Breathe in through the nose for a count of three and exhale for six for an energy lift.

5.) Put a plant on your desk
Research at Washington State University showed that workers with plants on their desks felt 10 per cent more attentive in just one day. "Electrical equipment can give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that lead to symptoms like fatigue and lack of concentration," says Helen Foster, author of Detox Solutions. You can detox your work station by adding greenery. Plants, especially spider plants, aloe vera and peace lilies, are good at absorbing and recycling stale air.

6.) Guzzle water
We all know how important it is to drink water, but studies show that even a two per cent drop in hydration can reduce energy levels by 20 per cent.
This is because insufficient water in your body causes a reduction in blood volume, which means that less oxygen reaches your muscles and you'll tire more quickly. Keep a bottle on your desk.

7.) Have sex
"An orgasm releases oxytocin, a hormone that increases mental clarity and energy - for up to 12 hours," says Jacob Teitelbaum, author of From Fatigued To Fantastic. And in a 10-year study of 900 British men, those who had sex most often had the best physical health and overall energy reserves.

8.) Sing aloud
Loud music is very effective for relieving stress and fighting fatigue, according to Athletic Insight, the American online journal of sport psychology. Researchers also suggest that singing can help you feel sparkier as it makes you breathe more deeply.

9.) Have a boiled egg for breakfast
It's the best source of energy-boosting protein, according to the American Heart Association. An egg in the morning will satisfy your appetite and release energy slowly - seeing you through that mid-morning slump until lunchtime.

source HERE