Hey guys, Happy Monday!!! So if you read yesterday’s post, you know that I’m hard at work studying for exams this week. I don’t think anyone looks forward to exam time, but it has to be done. One thing that I notice during intense study periods is how draining it can be on your body. And not just mentally either. It can be physically and emotional taxing as well. Using up lots of brain power just seems to zap the normal energy I have and puts me in a bit of a funk.
Which got me thinking about strategies on how to boost your energy naturally. So today I thought I’d share a few strategies I use during my study periods to help improve my energy without having to rely on boatloads of caffeine.
1. Pace yourself: Give yourself plenty of time so you aren’t cramming everything the night before the exam. I do this by making sure my notes are up to date and organised in a folder or on my computer. This way when it comes to revision you know where everything is!
2. Early bird gets the worm: Get up early !!! I get up around 6/6:30 am, have a good balanced breakfast and then get right into studying. I am personally more alert in the morning, so study best at this time. The house is also quiet at this time so I can concentrate better.
My current favourite breakfast (click on picture for recipe post)
3. Work in 2 hour blocks: I break up my day into 2 hour increments to give my brain a chance to rest. After the 2 hours is up I take a break for at least 15 – 20 mins, before starting on my next block. How many blocks of study I do in a day depends on what I have coming up.
4. Breathe & stretch: Our bodies were not meant to sit down all day, so get up and move every hour. Take some deep breaths, and do a few stretches to boost your energy and get your blood flowing again. The chart below shows a few simple moves. My personal favourite is #10.
5. Drink up!: Staying hydrated is essential when you are studying or working at a desk for long periods of time. Mild dehydration can cause various bodily systems to slow down, leading to fatigue. Keep a big bottle or glass on your desk and sip often.
6. Eat up! Second to staying hydrated is staying well fuelled. Take time to stop and eat proper meals throughout the day. Focus on good amounts of protein, healthy fats (think nuts, avocado, and olive oil), and low GI carbohydrates (brown rice, sweet potatoes, wholegrains) to keep energy levels stable.
7. Music to your ears: This is great when you are in need of a pick-me-up. Blast your favourite piece of music and dance like nobody’s watching. You may feel goofy, but it is such a good release when you’ve been concentrating for long periods of time. Of course this one is best done in the privacy of your own home (the librarians may get angry if you attempt to do this in the middle of the ‘shhhh’ zone). If dancing isn’t your thing, just watch this awesome flashmob. It’s guaranteed to make you smile!
Making my family embarrassed in public. I have no shame.
8. Take a whiff of this peppy mint: Peppermint essential oil has been shown to increase mental clarity and alertness. Take a good whiff or place a dab under your nose when you start to feel fatigued.
9. Exercise: Staying physically active is essential. Use this time to clear your head and release any built up frustration you may have had during the day. It doesn’t have to be a full fledged workout, just 20 minutes will do if that’s all you can afford. But get up, get out, and move!
Sitting down all day does not a tight bottom make! Try the Donkey Kick exercise to tone it up
10. Sleep like a baby: This is my number one tip. “Research suggests that sleep helps learning and memory in two distinct ways. First, a sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention optimally and therefore cannot learn efficiently. Second, sleep itself has a role in the consolidation of memory, which is essential for learning new information” (source). By getting enough sleep you will wake up refreshed and ready to tackle the day ahead. So go catch some zzzz’s.
11. Wear bright coloured clothing: Brightly coloured hues are associated with a healthy mood and increased energy. Wearing yellow, orange or lilac may help keep you upbeat and on-task. For a similar effect, you can also decorate your office with brightly coloured flowers or artwork.
12. Chew sugar-free gum: A study published in the journal of nutritional neuroscience found that chewing gum can help increase alertness by increasing the heart rate and stimulating the nervous system. My advice? Go for a strong peppermint flavour (see tip #8)
Pick a natural sugar-free gum that, such as this one, sweetened with xylitol
13. Laugh!: Being under the pump for a deadline or exam date can be stressful. Release some built up tension with a good laugh (it’s good for your health too! Read all about that here). Watch a funny youtube clip, look up a joke, or browse your favourite funny website.
14. Reduce sugar and caffeine consumption: Sugar causes drastic fluctuations in blood glucose levels, making you feel more tired in the long run. Stick to low GI snacks like nuts, hardboiled eggs, or an apple to sustain your energy instead. Second to this is reducing caffeine consumption. Caffeine is a stimulant that does help some with concentration, but it’s effects are short term. To cut down on your consumption try rotating coffee with green tea, lemon water or herbal teas to stay hydrated.
15. Plan a reward: Planning to reward yourself after all the hard work is done can really help with motivation. It can be anything from a pedicure, to a new outfit ,or even a night on the town! You deserve it!
One of my favourite rewards: a night out with the gal pals!
Those are my top tips for staying energetic when approaching a hectic deadline such as exams. Hopefully you found a few that you can use in your daily life to boost your productivity. Happy Monday 
Hi Healthy Diva. Loving your recepies. Keep them coming! I did the carrot and tahni soup and also a few others from some links you kindly shared x
So glad to hear it jane! How was the soup? I’m keen to try it as the weather starts to cool down
Another great motivational monday, thx! I will definitely try these when exam time comes up again, my resolution this semester is to start earlier with the organizing-part, we’ll see whether it works xD
Good luck and hope the tips help
Those desk stretches are so important! I spend hours working behind a desk and I look forward to my hourly stretches : )
xo
Jocelyn
They really help ease tired muscles hey! I look forward to mine as well
Needing lots of motivation ATM, and some donkey kicks!
Sending good energy vibes your way!!! xox
Excellent post! What great tips to stay fresh and energized throughout the day! I’ve never been in a flashmob but maybe someday
My favorite natural energizer is yoga ~ sun salutations never fail to get me going again. It’s a good thing I work from home, haha!
oh yoga is the bomb! I also love sun salutations
Ah these are all so great! I love the donkey kick – and my favourite anti-computer desk stretch is also #10 but bent over, to really get those shoulders back
. Such a great post, I will need to bookmark it to come back to time and time again no doubt!
Like your tip for the bent over shoulder stretch…will try that next time
Thanks for the great tips! I’ve never participated in a flash mob. Whenever I hear about them, I always think of Modern Family where Mitchell does, and Cam gets really mad because he wasn’t invited to do it
My favourite natural energy boosters are plenty of water, regular meals and fresh air.
Love that show…so funny. And like your energy boosters! Need to go out and get some fresh air now…been inside all day
What? No Cookies? My energy for exams was a bowl full of Skittles. Don’t know how’natural’ it was.
yeah about that….I took those cookies and sandwiched something in between them…BOOM! Just took it to another level…check back tomorrow to see
totally agree with the laughter one too! it gives me energy!
fab list! I didn’t even think that bright colors might help with energy and concentration, great idea! I’ve never been in a flash mob but my sis does them in Vegas all the time, sounds like fun to me
I tend to stretch regularly for little energy boosts and I try to skull ice water if I’m struggling too. But laughing sounds like more fun to me…
Ice water…that’s a good one as well! Yeah laughing always does the trick…really lightens the mood so you can keep on trucking
Lots of wisdom on your page! I’m sure you’re helping a lot of people. I even see some of my fitness class participants liking your page! Keep up the good work and take a look at my blog, “Your Powerful Life” for more fitness and some entertainment news too.
Sincerely in health,
Maria Lauren