by John Fike

“Energy and persistence alter all things.”
- Benjamin Franklin

Finding enough energy to do all that we must do in our modern lives can be challenging.

If you need a boost, try these 24 tips for increasing your energy:

1. Set goals - Goals give your life purpose and direction. You’ll find new energy when you know where you’re going and can’t wait to get there.

2. Make a list of past successes and keep track of new ones - Reviewing this list from time to time will lift up your spirits and recharge you emotionally with a renewed sense of self confidence.

3. Spend time remembering happy moments of your life - Joy and happiness are the power plants of life. Remembering good moments causes your body to release the same endorphins and energizing chemicals experienced during the original event.

4. Have something to look forward to - Hope and anticipation can light a fire in any soul.

5. Spend time with nature - Nature stimulates creativity while relaxing the mind and soul. It provides relief from the usual sensory overload of life.

6. Make a list of your favorite affirmations or inspirational quotes and keep it with you - When you’re feeling run down, read through one or two of the affirmations or quotes several times. The confidence they provide will lift you up and encourage you.

7. Maintain a positive attitude - A negative attitude drains the life out of you and has been shown to increase your risk for health problems.

8. Hang upside down - From a standing position, bend at the waist and let your head and torso hang toward the floor so that you are looking at your knees. This increases blood flow to the brain and lets upper body muscles relax.

9. Cook a spicy meal - Many “hot” spices contain nutrients that stimulate blood flow and respiratory function, both of which contribute to metabolic energy production.

10. Focus on the task at hand - Distraction and multitasking requires distributing your energy among several tasks, which not only takes more energy to accomplish, but also makes each task take longer.

By focusing on a task, the job gets done sooner and your emotional energy gets replaced by a sense of accomplishment.

11. Focus on moments of joy in your day - Look forward to the good parts of your day and remember them once they’ve passed.

Doing so will cause your body to secrete an almost continual flow of endorphins and energizing chemicals. Focusing on disappointing or discouraging aspects of your day shuts off the flow.

12. Rub your earlobes and pull on your toe - These acupressure techniques are reported to stimulate the flow of your internal energy. Rub the earlobe between your thumb and forefinger. Then pull on each big toe, followed by rubbing it vigorously.

13. Deep breathing exercise - Deep breathing increases oxygen supply and stimulates the respiratory system. Sitting quietly, inhale through your nostrils and fill your lungs to maximum capacity. Hold it for 10 seconds before releasing it slowly.

14. Drink lots of water - Water is necessary for all metabolic processes. Dehydration is very draining.

15. Take supplements - Your body requires nutrients to make energy; if you aren’t getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet you can feel drained and de-energized.

16. Take a shower - A hot shower stimulates blood flow and relaxes muscles.

17. Go for a walk - Walking gets the blood moving, stimulates respiratory and cardiovascular activity and stimulates creativity. It also loosens stiff muscles, which is very energizing.

18. Correct your posture - A poor posture pinches nerves and stresses muscles and ligaments. Correcting your posture will allow energy and blood to flow normally.

19. Turn on more lights - Dim or dull lighting suggests relaxation and sleep to the body. A well-lit room is energetic and stimulating.

20. Take a power nap - Surprisingly, even 15 to 20 minutes is enough to recharge the mind and release built up stress. Don’t count this toward your sleep time at night, though. It’s more like rebooting your biological computer.

21. Do twisting stretches - Twisting stretches stimulate the core muscles and internal organs. After five to 10 minutes, you’ll feel your body temperature increase, especially around your abdomen. This is an indication that energy is being used and produced.

22. Lift weights for 15 minutes - Muscle stimulation causes the brain and body to release energizing chemicals in anticipation of continued physical exertion. Much more than 15 minutes, however, will begin to exhaust your muscles and they will tap the energy created during the first 10 to 15 minutes.

23. Do 5 minutes of cardio exercise - Has a similar effect to lifting weights, but also stimulates cardiovascular and respiratory activity. Do less cardio than weight lifting because it requires more energy within a similar amount of time.

24. Work on something else for 15 minutes - Changing your activity stimulates your brain and emotions; it gives you fresh perspective and lets your mind recharge for your task.