This Wednesday: Nine tips for giving yourself an energy boost in the next TEN MINUTES.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Nine tips for giving yourself an energy boost in the next TEN MINUTES.

It’s hard to feel happy when you’re dragging around. Simple tasks seem overwhelming, people seem annoying, and nothing seems fun.

Lots of good results flow from having plenty of energy. Life just seems more manageable. Also, studies show, you’re more likely to feel good about yourself, and, Bob Sutton points out in his terrific book, The No A*****le Rule, being considered an “energizer” makes you far more likely to win a positive work evaluation.

For long-term energy, it’s most important to A) get enough sleep and B) exercise regularly. But that doesn’t help you if you need some energy RIGHT NOW. If you’re desperate for an immediate boost, try these tips:

1. Go outside into the sunlight; light deprivation is one reason that people feel tired. Research suggests that light stimulates brain chemicals that improve mood. For an extra boost, get your sunlight first thing in the morning. And while you’re outside…

2. Go for a brisk walk. One study found that even a ten-minute walk was enough to supply a feeling of energy and decreased tension.

3. Act with energy. We think we ACT because of the way we FEEL, but often we FEEL because of the way we ACT. Trick yourself into feeling energetic by moving more quickly, pacing while you talk on the phone, and putting more energy into your voice. Also, research shows that when people move faster, their metabolism speeds up.

4. Listen to your favorite upbeat song. Hearing stimulating music gives an instant lift. I’m always surprised by the effectiveness of this strategy.

5. Talk to an energetic friend. Not only do we gain energy from interacting with other people, we also – in what’s called “emotional contagion” -- “catch” their emotions. Instead of infecting others with your draggy mood, try to lift yourself by catching the energy of a boisterous friend.

6. Tackle an item on your to-do list. Unfinished tasks weigh us down. So if you feel bad about never having had a skin-cancer check, or not having completed an over-due report, or not having faced this month’s bills, force yourself to tackle one thing that’s nagging you. It’s tough, but you will feel a HUGE rush of energy when you cross it off your list.

7. Clean up. I’m not sure why tidying makes such a huge difference, but when I feel like I can’t face the day, I just tidy up my desk, and I perk right up.

8. Drink some COFFEE! Coffee gets a bad rap, but fact is, it really does boost alertness, energy, and ability to focus. (Plus it’s a great source of antioxidants and – surprise! – contains a high level of soluble dietary fiber.)

9. Note of caution: people often try to use food to boost their low energy, but these other strategies are more effective and more healthful.

“Exuberance is beauty,” William Blake wrote, and it’s surprising how much sheer energy level can affect the quality of the happiness of a day.

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Comments

[amy]

Regarding tip #9. I think it's misleading to say that eating to boost your energy is ineffective and not helpful. If you don't tend to forget to eat meals, and you generally overeat, then eating more may not work as well as some of the other tips. If, however, you just looked up from your computer, saw that it was 1:20 pm and you haven't eaten since 8:30, then putting some food in your mouth will indeed boost your energy. Obviously you don't digest the food within 10 minutes, but your body gets less stingy with energy when you eat something, just because it knows there's more on the way soon.

[Kelsey]

Food can be a source of energy, when used properly. I'm currently 25 weeks into my pregnancy, complicated by type 1 diabetes. Eating balanced meals and snacks regularly are a staple of my day, and I really feel the difference in my energy and concentration.

Being hungry is a big drag on anyone's energy. Thus, eating meals and snacks with a solid amount of protein every 2-3 hours is a good tip for all of us.

[Gerhi Janse van Vuuren]

I get to combine one two and three - but only in summer.
When I get home from work I go outside (in sunlight) and mow the lawn (walk briskly) quickly (act with energy).
On the days I get to do this I tend to have a very productive evening.

[Bunk]

I second the coffee notion. Ofcourse, it could just be because my wife and I own a coffee shop , but then again maybe not. Seriously , coffee is a great perculator(no play on words), just dont drink any before going to the gym....it dehydrates your muscles.

[HP van Duuren]

Thanks for the great post, I totally agree that your level of energy is an important Happiness ingredient. Especially the nr. 1 you mentioned.

Also had a post about 'Energy Levels' a while ago, you can find it at:

http://hpshappy.blogspot.com/2007/07/ridiculous-energy-levels.html

All the Best,
HP

[Hanna]

Thanks for the list, #3 will go on my commandments list that I'm still working on! :-)

hurray! Energy is what I crave!

[Mrs. Micah]

Another fun thing to do is stretch a bit. Shake out any tired muscles. Whether it's a short yoga session or just rolling your shoulders, it always feels better and boosts energy.

[Rob Fisher]

This tip might be a bit out there, but consider commuting by motorcycle. When I arrive at work by train it takes ages for me to wake up properly. When I arrive by motorcycle, I'm bursting with energy. The ride, which can be exhilerating when roads are clear and requires concentration when filtering through traffic jams, forces me to wake up (in a way that sitting in queues in a car doesn't).

Intriguing project, by the way. Found via Jackie D.

[Gretchen Rubin]

Extremely important point about eating. Sorry, I am such a slave to eating every few hours that I forgot that some people really do allow themselves to get hungry. Yes, eat your meals! And snacks!

I was thinking of the case when someone staggers home from work and heads for the cookie jar, in hopes of a quick burst of energy. I was most tempted to use food for quick energy when I had a newborn and so was chronically sleep-deprived. I was deeply exhausted; it seemed like food would help but it didn't. This is pretty common among new mothers -- a friend of mine told me about sitting in the rocking chair after she put her new baby to sleep and slowly eating through an entire container of Ben and Jerry's, just desperate for some energy.

But when you NEED to eat, EAT!

[amy]

Ah, but new moms are also often ravenous because nursing actually takes an additional 600 calories a day, more than being pregnant does (300 calories). Of course, you want some of those calories to come off your ass, but in my opinion the time to worry about those is after the first three months of being a mom, once your baby starts letting you put him or her down for more than 3 seconds at once. After both my kids were born I felt like a bottomless pit of hunger. Exhaustion, yes, but hunger too. Also note if you are not getting enough sleep then your body really will be using extra calories, as being awake takes more calories than being asleep does. Finally, new moms should remember that in addition to deep hunger and exhaustion, they may also experience profound thirst.

[Jessica]

This is apropos of nothing, but I would love a post about how to deal with sadness. I'm not talking about depression or even mourning, but just those very difficult times where things go wrong and one is sad and uncertain. I know this isn't the "sadness project" - ha - but I'm going through a tough time and wondering how others have dealt with just ... very sad and difficult times, without becoming truly unhappy.

[HP van Duuren]

Hello Amy,

A good way to deal with Sadness might be to get yourself in a 'GOOD STATE'. A great way to do this is for example to go 'Jogging'. It helps you to get 'Out of your Head' for a while.

It makes you feel great, releases 'toxic waste' from your body.

Also as a positive site effect might even give you an extra sense of accomplishment also. And it's always nice to enjoy to jogg in nice surroundings in the woods or on a great beach.

Talking about 'Beach' to get a pretty good idea and to get inspired you might wanna have a look at my littl YouTube Video titled:

"Jogging on Gran Canaria"

You can find it here at:

http://hpshappy.blogspot.com/2007/05/jogging-on-gran-canaria.html

All the Best,
HPvD.

P.S. if actual 'Jogging' doensn't look to appealing to you at first, you might start with just walking in nice surroundings.

[Dan]

Two months ago I started eating 6 smaller meals a day (instead of typical 3 meals plus snacks). My energy level is much higher and I don't ever feel hungry. In fact, I need to use an alarm on my PC to remind me to eat so I don't forget!

[HP van Duuren]

Has anybody who read my 'Ridiculous Engergy Levels' post, already

'put it tot the test?'

I would like to know if anybody has experienced some results from it. Please let me know your experience.

If you haven't looked at it yet or haven't downloaded the FREE Report yet, you can find it via:

http://hpshappy.blogspot.com/2007/07/ridiculous-energy-levels.html

All the Best,
HP

[asrai]

Drinking water will also help. Dehydration is a great cause of tiredness.

[Tejvan Pettinger]

Some good tips, although I find the energy boost of coffee only lasts a few hours.