Need a holiday after your holiday? If you’re like most people, indulging in Christmas treats like a liqueur doused trifle and spending time with loved ones probably filled up your schedule over the holidays and left you little to no time to catch your breath – or recover.
It’s now January and already time to go back to work. How do you make up for lost time and rest up quickly enough to start the year strong?
Like picking up new habits, the key is to find opportunities to add small changes to your routine. That way you’re feeling great, not only after the festive season but also throughout the whole year. In this week’s Wellness Matters, we discuss three ways for you to feel energised and bring your best self to 2021.
1. Bring energising snacks with you
Bananas and apples are an easy and quick snack to refuel your energy levels. They contain natural sugars that provide energy and fibers that slow down the digestion of those sugars resulting in a sustained release of fuel for your body.
If you’re not a fan of fruit, try nuts and seeds which are full of omega-3 fatty acids which can help reduce fatigue.
Add a banana to your smoothies, take some seeds and nuts to snack on at work or make having an apple part of your breakfast.
2. Go for a coffee run – or walk
Note the word ‘run’. I’m sure you’ve heard of the benefits of exercise time and time again, but before you roll your eyes and stop reading, hear me out.
Exercise improves your mood, cognitive function and helps you sleep at night. In other words, it can make you feel better, think faster and knock you out as soon as it’s bedtime. When you feel great, think fast and have had a good night’s rest, don’t you feel like can accomplish everything in your day without fail?
Try putting on your walking shoes and race down to your local cafe the next time you go for that double shot flat white or extra hot green tea. 30 minutes of exercise is all you need to start feeling the benefits.
Here’s a bonus tip: Remember to stay hydrated if you’re going to run and have a coffee or tea. All of these have the ability to dehydrate your body. Did you know that that crashing and burning feeling after your coffee has done its job is partly due to its dehydrating properties? Drinking water while you have your coffee is a great way of mitigating or even completely avoiding those effects.
3. Practice mindfulness
If you’re super busy, chances are, you’re mentally exhausted. If you need to rest your mind, find ways to practice mindfulness.
Doing something you enjoy is a practical way of being mindful. When you’re doing something you enjoy, you’re paying attention and living in the moment. That’s partly what being mindful is about.
For example, if you love cooking, enjoy preparing dinner for your family. If you love reading, bring your book with you on the train ride home from work.
Do you have your own favourite ways to boost your energy levels? Get in touch and let us know! As always, if there are any topics you would love us to look into or you have any queries or feedback, you can reach us at marketing@hoban.com.au.
