Are you "too tired" too often? Boost your get-up-and-go today
(no red cordial required!)
1. Eat!
If you don't eat regularly, there's a good chance you'll turn to high-sugar snacks for a quick energy boost, which will then cause your blood sugar to crash. And trust us, you'll be left feeling worse than before. Nix this vicious cycle by eating smaller meals more often — and include super foods like nuts, grains, fish, berries, avocado and greens.
2. Drink up!
A dehydrated brain is a sluggish brain. Feel more alert by drinking eight glasses of water a day. H2O is pretty much free and doesn't contain any calories, but you can also meet some of your fluid quota with fruit juices. Smoothie bars like New Zealand Natural have healthy juice cocktails, perfect for a thirst-quenching vitamin hit when you’re on the run!
3. Get moving!
To rev up your energy, being active is key. Push yourself to exercise and you'll reap the rewards: you'll feel more energised; less stressed; better rested; and much happier. If you'd rather read a chemistry textbook than go for a jog, try something fun, like surfing. Check out classes at letsgosurfing.com.au and surfingaustralia.com.au.
4. Lighten up
Are exams, boys or your drama-prone family stressing you out? Take the pressure down ... and relax. Prolonged stress can leave you feeling tired and irritable, which — let's face it — only makes things worse. When it all gets too much, take time out to soak in a bubble bath, walk the dog, paint or write.
5. Love your pillow
To give your body a chance to recharge, you should aim for at least eight hours' sleep a night. If you have trouble nodding off, try these tips: don't do homework in bed; and listen to relaxing music or read a book before you go to sleep.
6. Listen to your body clock ...
Do you have loads of energy in the morning but are completely knackered by 5pm? Then channel this energy to make the most of it. If you're a morning person, get up an hour earlier and exercise before school. If you're oozing energy in the evenings, it makes sense to go for a jog before attacking your pile of homework.
7. Stimulate your brain
Boring tasks that fail to stimulate the brain can leave you feeling lethargic. Wake up your senses by stretching, doing a puzzle, or taking a few deep breaths! Breathing is possibly the most underrated thing we do, but it’s an essential part of feeling energised.
8. Have your herbs
Do you ever feel all warm and fuzzy after sipping on a hot drink? Well, there's a reason for that. Warming herbs such as ginger and cinnamon increase your energy levels. So, when you're feeling flat, make yourself a lemon and ginger tea or grab a chai latte for an instant pick-me-up.
9. Stop putting things off
When you're tired, the last thing you feel like trawling through is your to-do list, but did you know that procrastinating is actually one of the biggest energy suckers? Lingering, unfinished tasks cause your body to produce stress hormones, while completing something that's been hanging over your head for ages gives you a sense of accomplishment — which then leads to renewed energy. So get cracking on that list.
Words: Alexis Elia
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