Like a vehicle your body runs on fuel. However, feeling energetic takes more than simply filling up your body with kilojoules. Anyone who is young or old, big or small, can ensure they stay revved-up and ready to go.
The best way to boost your energy is to engage in physical activities – not necessarily going to the gym. Physical activities improve the oxygen supply to the brain and other parts of the body. Mopping the floor or removing cobwebs are simple physical activities you can do almost every day. Occasionally, wash your clothes without putting them into the washing machine.
Another advantage of physical activity is its soothing effect on sleep. Those who exercise their bodies sleep better than couch potatoes. If you are unable to do physical exercises on a daily basis, do them for at least for half an hour three or four times a week.
Some people want to stuff their stomachs with big meals. Heavy meals will put a great strain on the body’s digestive process robbing the rest of the body of energy. Keep meals large enough to satisfy your appetite. However, you should not skip meals. Low blood sugar can sap your physical and mental energy. Even if you do not feel hungry, eat something during meal times. This will help stabilise your blood-sugar level. At the same time, avoid eating sweet stuff such as ice cream and chocolate. They will give you a momentary lift, but they can push the blood sugar level up.
Caffeine
When you feel tired, you go for a cup of tea or coffee. Caffeine found in coffee, tea and colas will give you a quick lift, but they can wipe out the chance of getting quality sleep. It is advisable to have one or two cups of coffee a day and avoid taking it at night. The food you eat generates waste. Without water, the body cannot rid itself of wastematter. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to flush waste matter from the body.
Some people have the habit of enjoying a nap during the day. A well-timed nap can do wonders. To maintain your energy levels and productivity, the ideal time for a nap is after lunch. However, if you are working in an organisation, you will not be able to have a nap. Whenever you take a nap, remove your shoes, turn out the lights and put calls on hold. Naps should not exceed half an hour.
Those who do sedentary jobs have a tendency to slump forward. It causes physical imbalance and discomfort. Sit comfortably in your chair and place your feet on the floor. If you are sitting in an adjustable chair, position the back of the chair to give adequate support to your lower back.
Positive attitude
Always entertain positive feelings. Your positive attitude will have a powerful influence on how dynamic you feel. Some of the tasks you do may be tedious. However, if you concentrate on the positive gains from such work, you will get away from negative feelings. Instead of harping on the difficulties of the task, think of its positive benefits in the long run.
Perhaps the hardest thing is to do nothing. However, that is just what some of us need every once in a while to give our body the opportunity to get back on its feet. The immediate purpose is to relax your body. If you are unable to do so, there are some compensatory therapies that can be very effective in helping the body to relax. Massage and aromatherapy are good for relaxing the body. Essential oils such as lemongrass, peppermint and eucalyptus can have a potent uplifting effect. Make an effort to stay thin for life, but most dieters regain weight they lose. However, experts insist things are not grim because some dieters lose weight Obesity specialist Stanley Schacher says the rate of self-cure among the obese is considerably high. The secret is that dieters switch to low-fat foods. Low-fat eating is satisfying and low on boredom. They create low-fat diets with less meats, fish, chicken, vegetables, whole grains and fruit. This does not mean that they avoid eating their favourite foods. They simply eat them in moderation.
Brisk walking
Apart from eating a balanced diet, you should reap the benefits of exercise. The simplest form of exercise is brisk walking at least for half an hour every day. You can also enjoy cycling, swimming and any other sport. For exercise to be effective, you do not have to knock yourself out. The best method is to make regular exercise part of your daily routine – just like brushing your teeth.
To add vim, verve and pep to your life, you should live in a happy state. However, happiness is like a visitor, a genial, exotic aunt who turns up when you least expect her. Unfortunately, you cannot command her appearance and you can only appreciate her when she shows up.
Happiness is an attitude, not a condition. When you listen to your favourite song or the shouts of children playing in the fading light, you will feel happy. When your family members sit around the dinner table, you will be happy. Happiness happens in the present, not in the distant future. If you fall in love with your life, you are a happy soul. Reach out for happiness at the moment it appears like a balloon drifting seaward in a bright blue sky.
Most people have dreams and desires, but not goals which are specific objects attained only through hard work. High achievers know exactly where they want to go. Focus on attainable goals. Once you have defined your goals, write them down. A young boy who wanted to be a doctor wrote it down and carried the piece of paper in his pocket until it was frayed. Today, he is a leading medical specialist.
Trust yourself
Along the way to any goal, you will be confronted with obstacles. Trust yourself. It can act as an anaesthetic against such setbacks. Remember that age is no barrier to achievement. As we grow old and learn more, we gain the confidence to take on new challenges. When you have a goal in life, you get new energy to proceed along new directions.
When things get tough, conventional wisdom tells us to play safe and to pull in our horns. Consequently, we concentrate on minimising our losses. The results can be catastrophic. Top performers in any field get to the top by confronting obstacles. An American boxing trainer said, “Heroes and cowards feel exactly the same fear. Heroes just react to fear differently.”
With every success we add vim, verve and pep to life. Therefore, try to succeed in all the battles of life.
