6 easy ways to put a spring in your step:
Spring is here, but have you got get-up and go? Or are you collapsed on the couch with your energy at rock bottom? Here are some easy ways to perk yourself up and get that “get up and go”.
- Nurse a small coffee throughout the day:
Compelling research from various institutions, finds that frequent low doses of caffeine—the amount in a quarter of a cup—are more effective than a few larger doses at keeping you alert.
- Switch off the news for a week
Terrorism, murders, horrendous accidents—depressing, isn’t it? If you’re a news junkie, stop reading the paper, switch off the TV news, stop checking online bulletins. If you’re more energetic and less jittery after a week, stick to your new habit.
- Eat something crunchy
Nuts, carrots and other crunchy foods make your jaw work hard, which can wake up your facial muscles. This should help you feel more awake.
- Go for a ten-minute “thank-you” walk every day
As you walk out and about, focus on the things you feel most grateful for. Afterwards, make a mental note of how you feel. This simple technique not only gives you a sense of wellbeing, but the positive effects of exercise will flood your brain with happy neurotransmitters and endorphins.
- Have your thyroid checked
If it’s not producing enough thyroid hormone, you could be feeling wiped out. A simple blood test will show if there’s a problem, book a visit to your GP or nurse practitioner. Other symptoms of an underactive thyroid are dry skin, weight gain and constipation.
- Stay still
Not moving doesn’t sound like the best recipe for livening yourself up, but it’s often just what you need. Simply sit for ten minutes in a comfy chair and stare out of the window in to the spring air. Let your mind drift wherever it wants to go.