Energizing ideas as the days get darker and winter is coming

Yes, you can become more energetic without caffeine and sugar. As the days grow shorter, our bodies may feel sluggish. It may feel difficult to wake up in the dark mornings, for instance, or you may feel tired after added responsibilities of holiday preparation.

Here are ideas that you may wish to try:

1. Yoga and especially the classic yogic breathing activity called, “The Breath of Fire,” which involves very fast breathing in and out of the nose – pant like a dog, some say. You can observe a teaching demonstration of this technique on YouTube.

2. Eating foods that are whole foods, rather than processed foods, including quality protein to keep your body well nourished. Just regular portions of protein -- about the size of a deck of cards for meat, or a handful of nuts, or just an ounce or two of cheese -- will keep your brain alive, alert and active.

3. Therapeutic-grade essential oils can give you a lift – a number of oils are especially energizing to the brain, including basil, rosemary, orange, peppermint, lemon.

4. Practice qigong, an Asian exercise that is similar to – but much easier – than tai chi. Qigong's very simple exercises will reorient your body's energy; it's especially good to practice in the morning to begin your day. Tai chi is also very good for balancing and giving energy so make sure that you give it a try if you're interested.

5. Reduce use of computer, especially at night before bedtime. You'll sleep better.

6. CD guided meditations and imageries, or imageries on your own. When I’m not creating my own imageries for my clients, I suggest the wonderful CDs from Health Journeys.

7. Bioenergetic exercises, which are body exercises that are often amazingly simple and easy. One exercise, simply stamping your feet (left, right, left, right), can reduce anger, lift mood and give energy.

8. Rest. There's no substitute.

9. Drink water. When plants don’t get enough water, they wilt. You will feel like wilting too, when you don’t give your body enough H2O. And drink water, not tea, soda, so-called “energy drinks” or alcohol.

10. Spend time with people you like, people who are positive, caring, fun and supportive.

Breath of Fire is yoga's substitute for cup of coffee

Are you looking for a way to reduce your use of coffee and learn how to energize yourself naturally?

I like “Breath of Fire,” a dynamic breathing technique from the practice of Kundalini Yoga. Here’s a YouTube video by Gurmukh teaching this technique which offers a huge list of benefits, including opening energy pathways in the body, detoxifying the system and increasing vitality. It can change your energy and mood in as little as one minute -- no caffiene involved.



There are many variations of this technique – the version that I learned comes from Joachim Mayer who teaches Kundalini Yoga in Racine. When I sometimes teach it to clients, it involves keeping your mouth closed and breathing in and out rapidly through the nose. I don’t use the sticking-out-the-tongue part. Sometimes the hands are at rest on the knees and sometimes they are raised above the head.

Here’s another version with Anmol Mehta who has many videos on YouTube. Try it. Coffee’s lure will never be the same.

Healthy energizing ideas -- without caffiene or sugar!

As a psychotherapist – including having done work with addicted people – there is a great need for information about learning how to find ways to become more energetic without caffeine and sugar.

Here are ideas that you may wish to try:

Start with yoga and especially the classic yogic breathing activity called, “The Breath of Fire,” which involves very fast breathing in and out of the nose – pant like a dog, some say. You can observe a teaching demonstration of this technique at YouTube.

• Eating foods that are whole foods, rather than processed foods, including quality protein. Quality protein includes lean meats, fish, small portions of nuts, peanut butter -- no sugar is better -- whole cheese rather than processed, and combinations of beans and rice.
• Therapeutic-grade essential oils – a number of oils are especially energizing to the brain, including basil, rosemary, orange, peppermint and lemon.
• Practice qigong, a meditative Asian exercise that is similar to – but much easier – than tai chi. Tai chi is also very good for balancing and giving energy.
• Reduce use of computer, especially at night before bedtime.
• CD guided meditations and imageries, or imageries on your own. When I’m not creating my own imageries for my clients, I suggest the wonderful CDs from Health Journeys.
• Bioenergetic exercises, which are body exercises that are often amazingly simple and easy, can change your mood very quickly. One exercise, simply stamping your feet (left, right, left, right), can reduce anger, lift mood and give energy.
• Rest.
• Drink water. When plants don’t get enough water, they wilt. You will feel like wilting too, when you don’t give your body enough. And drink water, not tea, soda, so-called “energy drinks” or alcohol.
• Spend time with people you like, people who are positive, caring, fun and supportive.
  

Getting more energy without caffiene or sugar

As a psychotherapist – including having done work with addicted people – there is a great need for information about learning how to find ways to become more energetic without caffeine and sugar.

Here are ideas that you may wish to try:

Yoga and especially the classic yogic breathing activity called, “The Breath of Fire,” which involves very fast breathing in and out of the nose.

Eating foods that are whole foods, rather than processed foods, including quality protein.

Therapeutic-grade essential oils – a number of oils are especially energizing to the brain, including basil, rosemary, orange, peppermint, lemon.

Practice qigong, an Asian exercise that is similar to – but much easier – than tai chi. Tai chi is also very good for balancing and giving energy if you have the motivation to learn it.

Reduce use of the computer, especially at night before bedtime.

CD guided meditations and imageries, or imageries on your own. When I’m not creatiing my own imageries for my clients, I suggest the wonderful CDs from Health Journeys (http://www.healthjourneys.com/).

Bioenergetic exercises, which are e body exercises that are often amazingly simple and easy and support the flow of the body's energy in more balanced way. One exercise, simply stamping your feet (left, right, left, right), can reduce anger, lift mood and give energy.

Rest. There is no substitute.

Drink water. Plants droop without water, and so do you.

Spend time with people you like, who are positive, caring, fun and supportive.