Low Energy Lull? 5 Ways to Recharge!

Midterms, sleep deprivation, icky weather, oh my. In these gray, stressful times, exhaustion can take over. So if you’ve already downed that 10th cup of coffee but are still looking to revive yourself (for more than five minutes), here are five ways to do it:

By Carrie

Open the Window Shades. If you have them. I am blessed with a bay window in my dorm room, and I use it to my advantage. Light is a beautiful thing. And it’s an instant pick-me-up when all you want to do is sleep yourself into oblivion. So raise those blinds and let it shine! And if you have no windows, get your ass outside!

Take a Cold Shower. Though it may be unoriginal, this renowned technique really does the trick—cold showers are both refreshing, and invigorating! They’re also especially good for hangovers. So come out from your down comforter coma, get off your tush, and jump in the shower! It might be painful, but it will certainly wake you up. If you’re looking for something a little less severe, you can get the same effect by finishing off a hot wash with a 30-second burst of cold. Rumor has it that these chilly splashes make for shinier hair…so jump in, cool off, and rev up that energy!

Exercise. Though counter-intuitive, exercise has been proven to boost energy and reduce fatigue. Convincing yourself to leave that squishy mattress in exchange for a treadmill may be difficult, but it will be well worth it. Plus, you’ll burn calories and suppress your appetite. Believe me—in retrospect you’ll be happy you worked out instead of munching on Cheetos in your jammies. The best energy boosting exercises? Running, Yoga, and Kickboxing. (If not energy, toned muscles, flexibility and useful self-defense moves should persuade you…)

Eat Power Snacks. Smart snacks are key to keeping up energy. So what snacks will give you energy-to boot? Ones with some of everything: some fat, some protein, some carbs. Think: Peanut butter + banana, yogurt + almonds, apple + cheese, etc.

Drink Tea. Not only is tea yummy and easy to make, but it’s also a great energy booster. Try white or green tea – both contain amino acids that activate brain waves, making you more alert! My personal favorite? Bigelow’s Lemon Lift Tea.

Other ideas: Call a friend. Get outside. Clean your room (which can be physically, as well as literally, cleansing/refreshing). Laugh. Have a quickie. Paint your nails (the color and stench will wake you up). And if all else fails, slap yourself.

But whatever you do, don’t…

TAKE A NAP. And no- not even a “power nap.” When was the last time you were able to rest your head for just 10 minutes? When I fall asleep, I fall asleep. And getting yourself out of bed after a 3-hr afternoon coma is nearly impossible. So is falling asleep later that night. So just do yourself a favor, and step away from the bed.

If you have other energy-boosting suggestions, leave ‘em below!