I’m always on the lookout for healthy ways to energize our days so we can keep our creativity and focus revved up throughout the day. Here are easy fixes we can all try:*
Fruit fix: Adding one cup of fruit to your morning meal is a sweet way to help you stay 30% calmer and more focused. According to UCLA researchers, fruit sugars prompt your brain to produce relaxing, mood-boosting serotonin.
Fine-tune your focus: If you’re feeling a bit scattered, then grab a banana; they’re loaded with inositol, a nutrient that boosts your brain’s ability to concentrate. You can also revitalize your focus and memory in a matter of weeks if you add a cup of celery, parsley, green peppers, or soothing chamomile tea to your daily diet. All these foods are rich in luteolin, a compound that nourishes the brain’s memory and learning centers.
Sit up: Adopting what’s called a “power stance” — keeping your back straight and your chest raised — while sitting or standing revs up your energy instantly by lifting your mood and confidence level according to a study in the journal Biofeedback. Sitting up instead of slumping also keeps your hands and wrists limber and pain-free.
Keep moving: Adding moderate activity during your working hours as part of your daily routine can give you more energy and vitality within a week. Standing up and pacing while on the phone or taking a brisk walk as a lunch break, or using the stairs instead of an elevator all fill the bill. Moving throughout your day speeds up you circulation and sparks the production of energizing brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin according to Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Munch sunflower seeds: If you’re feeling frazzled and need a pick-me-up, just grab a handful of sunflowers seeds or sprinkle them on salads, cereal, or yogurt. These little dynamos are packed with magnesium, which relaxes muscles and eases tension and anxiety. They’re also rich in mood-boosting choline and folic acid.
Now that we’re all energized and ready for action, let’s all write on!
* These healthful tips come to us by way of “Woman’s World” magazine.