Natural Energy and Mood Boosters

Most of us know that draggy, afternoon feeling when we would love to lie down for a nap. Few of us, however, have the luxury of taking that nap. Also, many of us struggle with depression or tense, angry moods. So what can you do? First, get more sleep each night. That is the first step toward reducing fatigue and irritability, and preventing exhaustion. After you’ve got that underway, there are other things that can help you boost your mood and your energy. Here are some ideas.

High-Energy Foods

Keeping a high-energy snack on hand will help give you a lift. Here are some ideas.

* Nutty trail mix can help. Nuts are high in healthy fats and protein. These fats are implicated in relieving depression, especially depression associated with hormonal shifts. Add some dried fruits to the mix. They have natural sugars and fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals. Mix some dark chocolate chips into your trail mix, too – chocolate is not only healthy, but the caffeine can gently open your eyes as well. Don’t put white flour pretzels or sweet cereals in your trail mix.

* Whole grains are key to energy. Despite their bad press, carbohydrates are the body’s source of energy. Just make sure your carbs are derived from whole, natural grains. Replace white rice with whole grain, and brown rice and conventional pasta with whole wheat pasta.

* Avoid white sugar where you can. Sugar can greatly affect mood, producing a high followed by a grouchy crash (don’t all parents know this?).

* Avocados are another food that boosts both mood and energy due to its high (but healthy) fat content.

* Raw fruits and vegetables can boost energy. Try snacking on these before reaching for something like pretzels. Maybe you can eat a piece of raw fruit or a leafy green salad with your nutty trail mix on the side.

Vitamins

Controversy remains over the effectiveness of vitamin supplements. But it is true that certain vitamins, such as B-complex, do in fact boost mood and energy levels. And many people do not get enough vitamins in their diets. Therefore, a good multi-vitamin may be just the thing to help you. Or, just supplement with B-complex.

Get Moving

Just getting your circulation going and your muscles working can help you feel more energetic and positive. Take a walk if possible, or do a midday workout. If you work in an office building, see if you can get a couple of minutes to walk a lap or two around the building. And make regular exercise part of your routine.

Nap Like a Cat

Some people swear by the 5- or 10-minute nap for boosting energy. Try sneaking just a doze and see if it peps you up.

Stretch

While you’re acting like a cat, stretch. This improves your circulation and helps relieve muscle tension that can tire you out. Yoga, Tai Chi, and other simple stretching exercises and techniques can really help.

Herbal Supplements

Sometimes, a little herbal tea or supplementary capsules can improve mood and boost energy. Herbs that boost energy include:

* Yerba mate
* Tea – green or black
* Ginkgo biloba

Herbs that can gently improve a bad mood include:

* St. John’s Wort
* Ginkgo biloba
* Chamomile

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