Stay Energised

WAK EARLY AND TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR MIND

Easy to read/say – but difficult to stick to. Waking at 5am every day - especially if you've had a hectic week and had less than your 8hrs sleep per night, can leave you feeling a bit low in energy. And no matter how good your diet has been, you need a little help sometimes. But rather than grabbing a caffeine fix, try some of these tried and tested alternatives.

Go for a walk: This one works wonders for me and deserves to be at the top of the list - but it's often the last method that I use in favour of a quick fix. The other morning, I had to unexpectedly leave the house to go collect something from a local shop. I was feeling a bit below par, a little tired and not very focussed - likely because I'd not eaten enough and gone to bed an hour later than intended. It was 6am and freezing outside. I didn't want to go. I put on my warm jacket and fast-walked the 10 minute journey. Being outside in the cold January air and looking around at the frost-covered cars - witnessing the serenity before dawn and catching a glimpse of the beginnings of a sunrise - got me back on track and the creative juices flowing.

Cold water: Splashing ice cold water in your face first thing in the morning - OR if you're really bold - jumping into a cold shower - will quickly jolt you to life. The cold will reduce swelling around the eyes and the shivers will help tone your muscles and pull your skin tight. I've made the face splach a regular edition to the routine....I'm yet to try the shower method though...

Give yourself an extra Boost
Try some of these energy boosting, brain enhancing products...

Matcha
Matcha is an organic powder ground down from green tea leaves. The Japanese have been drinking it for hundreds of years and it's been favoured by Buddhist monks and students to keep them focussed. Until recently, all matcha reserves had been exhausted in Japan, by a sudden revival in it's consumption. This revival is taking the UK by storm and as it's popularity grows, expect to see it more frequently in coffee shops. The low supply and new high demand mean it's expensive to buy, but Holland and Barrett are doing a pretty good deal at the moment.

Here's a list of it's potential benefits: 
1. High in Antioxidants
2. Also loaded super-antioxidants: Catechin, EGCg
3. Enhances Calm
4. Boosts Memory and Concentration
5. Increases Energy Levels and Endurance: energy boosting Matcha Green Tea Super Drink
6. Burns Calories
7. Detoxifies the Body
8. Fortifies the Immune System
9. Improves Cholesterol
10. Amazing Flavour (add some honey to sweeten)

If you wish to read a more extensive description on the benefits, click here for the full low-down on Matcha

Matcha v Coffee
We have an almond milk matcha latte instead of coffee some mornings. To see if swapping your Coffee for Matcha makes sense...read the verdict

Vitamin B12
If you're often feeling tired and low in energy, you may have a vitamin B deficiency. Vitamin B12 helps in the production of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. It can typically be found in red meat, cheese and eggs and thus vegans tend to suffer from having a lack of B12 in their diet. For a full list of symptoms and remedies, click here. And here's another site that gives info on the how's and why's of B12.

I've found the B12 Spray is an easy way to get a fix - they also do a spray for vitamin D too.

Bee Pollen
The honey bees feed bee pollen to their young. It is a complete food source and rich is vitamins. Considered a 'super-food', it's been used by cultures around the world for a multitude of health applications. I've been taking a pill once a day in the morning with fruit - you can extend to 4 times a day. There's an extensive piece written on the bee pollen on this site and below, are 10 reasons to why adding bee pollen to your daily diet could benefit you.

1. Energy Enhancer
2. Skin Soother
3. Respiratory System Improvements
4. Treating of Allergies
5. Digestive System Benefits
6. Immune System Booster
7. Treats Addictions
8. Supports the Cardiovascular System
9. Prostate Aid
10. Aids with Infertility Problems

For a full description on the benefits of Bee Pollen, read more here.

Ginseng

I read about the benefits of Ginseng just this morning. Generally it has been linked to better blood flow to the brain, aided relief from stress symptoms and helped to improve memory functon. I've not tried it yet but copied from here and replicated below. Read on for more:

– Ginseng can be used to improve the health of people recovering from illness. It increases a sense of wellbeing and stamina, and improves both mental and physical performance. Ginseng can be used to help with erectile dysfunction, hepatitis C, and symptoms relating to menopause, and can also be used for lowering blood glucose levels and controlling blood pressure.

– Ginseng has been shown to reduce the levels of stress in both men and women. Those that take ginseng regularly are able to withstand higher amounts of physical and emotional stress.

– The root of Asian ginseng contains several active substances called ginsenosides or panaxosides that are thought to be responsible for the medicinal effects of the herb. Asian ginseng is “cooling” while American ginseng is “warming”.

– Because of its adaptogenic effects, it is widely used to lower cholesterol, increase energy and endurance, reduce fatigue and the effects of stress, and prevent infections. Ginseng is one of the most effective anti-aging supplements, with the capability of alleviating some major effects of aging such as degeneration of the blood system, and increasing mental and physical capacity.

Siberian ginseng is well known for its ability to fight fatigue and ward off colds and flu.

Please note - If you're feeling tired and low in energy a lot of the time, you should consult your doctor before trying any of the above remedies.