Nov 12, 2008 7:39 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Energy-Boosting Tips
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
For many people, the toughest part of the day is battling that mid-afternoon fatigue. If you don't have time for a nap, a few simple tricks can perk you up in minutes.
A few quick energy boosters can make all the difference.
Manhattan resident Jessica Saund gets a refreshing surge from deep breathing. "I definitely feel more energized, more awake. My body feels lighter," she said.
Fatigue causes us to take more shallow breaths, and that makes the problem worse.
"Sit up nice and tall and then really to just focus on some deep breathing, taking deep breaths into the belly, and you'll notice that even just that may wake you up in a matter of a minute," said fitness coach Jeff Halevy.
Snack on protein and complex carbs, not sugar. Reach for yogurt with granola, a handful of nuts or hummus and olives.
Nothing drains energy faster than sitting. "We're really not meant to sit for extended periods of time, three hours, eight hours, we're just not built for that," Halevy said.
A 10-minute walk will boost endorphins and get blood pumping to the heart and brain.
And, don't forget to stretch. "Most people tend to slump over at the desk, and when you do that, it's actually a stress response as well. What you want to do is combat that by opening up," a fitness trainer said.
Choose fluids carefully. "Everybody, first of all, coke, a definite no. Diet coke, maybe," the trainer said.
Both sugar and caffeine give short energy bursts followed by an even lower low than you felt before. Water is the safest bet.
"I try to hydrate and drink a lot of water through the day because that keeps you, you know, your body feeling more energized," Saund said.
If you still crave a bit of caffeine, go for green tea. The antioxidant polyphenols protect you from illnesses like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
"For people looking to stay away from coffee but they still want a hot beverage in the morning, it's really a great alternative," Halevy said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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