By Chere Bork 

Energy, you either got it or you don’t!

What percent of your work day are you in low energy, average energy and high energy? What percent of your day off are you in low energy, average energy and high energy?

With the demands of work, your important relationships and keeping up with your constant junk mail and the mess in the garage you are tempted to run away from your life. You may feel like you are “drowning,” or have “run out of gas” or “hit the wall.” Your body and mind collapse and the easiest thing to do is to grab another cup of coffee. But is energy that simple? If it were that simple then why are you still exhausted and stressed out after your cup of java?

Science tells us that using food and drink to get our energy fix is wrong, wrong, wrong. It feeds our emotions and makes us fat but is not the energy elixir we make it out to be.

Here are five calorie free tips scientifically proven to energize your life.

1. Move your body

Exercise is the number one way to increase your energy.

Ten minutes of brisk walking can raise your energy for one to two hours. Vigorous exercise can actually give you an energy dip but one to two hours later you’ll have an energy resurgence.

2. Listen to music

Music is only second to exercise in raising your energy. Music heals your mind, relieves stress and lifts your spirits. Music is highly underused by anyone over the age of 40 as an effective way to boost your spirit. Listening to songs with a faster tempo can energize your workouts. A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness showed that athletes who began their workouts listening to songs with a slow beat and then switched to songs with a faster rhythm outperformed athletes who listened to either fast, slow or fast followed by slow songs. Any music that you enjoy is better than no music.

3. Take a nap (but not a long one)

Most people average less than seven hours of sleep a night and are sleep deprived. When you work more you sleep less and in turn you eat more and exercise less. Take a 20 to 30 minute nap to feel refreshed and ready to live life again. Longer than that you will feel groggy and it could prevent you from getting a good nights sleep.

4. Socialize

Call a friend. Make a date with a friend. Social interactions feed your soul and energize your day.

5. Know your energy highs and lows

Everyone has an energy body clock. Develop you own energy body clock. Notice when you are bursting with energy and also when you are overeating and snacking. Most overeating happens in the late evening when energy is low and you are looking for that energy boost. Either get to bed or if you really need a late night energy boost take a 10-minute walk around your house or up and down your stairs.

When I think of spring I think of baseball and being outside. Don’t you? Spring is the perfect time for you to hit an energy home run. The outside is begging us to come out.

So, invite a friend to take a walk and listen to music. You won’t hit the wall, you will climb over it! Cheers! Chere

Source: Calm Energy: How People Regulate Mood With Food and Exercise, by Robert E. Thayer Phd , (Oxford University Press, 2003)

  Chere Bork is a health and life balance enthusiast, national speaker and Wellcoach from Eden Prairie, who helps people, discover their purpose to live happily and healthfully ever after. Her website is www.cherebork.com.