When planning your busy life, do you include activities designed to rejuvenate and refresh yourself? Or do you wake up every morning hoping you'll somehow get the energy to do everything expected of you?
Most of us, including myself, do a little of each but it's interesting to focus on our rejuvenation techniques and tune them up every once in a while. It's all about being intentional, not perfect.
So here are 4 ideas for you to try that can give you a lift, refresh your outlook, and give you an energy boost in just a few short minutes. Believe me, I know that's all the time you have.
Technique #1
Sing. Singing increases your blood flow, brings more oxygen to your brain and boosts your endorphins. Plus it's super easy to do in almost any situation and it calms kids instantly in some cases. It can also get them moving when you want them to.
Plus it's fun. I'm making it a goal to help bring back the old American folks songs before they got lost in the shuffle of modern living. I sing songs like
She'll Be Comin Round The Mountain, Go Tell Aunt Rhody, The Crawdad Song, I've Been Working On The Railroad, and other old classics often and sometimes loudly every day. Try it for a real quick and easy mood lift.
Technique #2
Dance! This is a real lifesaver for me. I use it as a mood enhancer for myself and for everyone I care for including infants. It works wonders for a fussy baby. You can read about the best way to calm a fussy baby. here.
I also use dance to elevate my mood on a daily basis. My favorite new way to use dance is my Family PJ Dance Party. I've always liked to stay home in my PJs on a Saturday morning because I work so hard during the week. I also like to get a mood and energy boost from a little bit of aerobic exercise, plus I like to save time. When I combine my exercise with my family fun time every benefits!
Technique #3
Laugh. If you're under a lot of stress, you may not be laughing enough. Adults tend to suppress more of their laughter than children. And look who has more energy! Laughter has been proven to heal the body and the mind so why not? Here's a link to my Pinterest board that will lift your mood instantly.
Technique #4
Eat healthy balanced meals and snacks. That way you won't try to get a quick lift from a sugary treat. If you need help in allowing yourself to stop and take a break, you can read my article about tea-time me time here.
In the article there's a great recipe for healthy double chocolate cookies. But I have another secret dessert recipe that not only tastes great, but actually helps with appetite, digestion, and weight loss. I developed it for my own weight loss journey and lost 100 lbs. I've kept it off for over 12 years now and I know it's because of this recipe.
You can get immediate access to my secret weight-loss recipe when you join my community. You also get some other cool freebies designed to rejuvenate and refresh! n.joy
Or try this BONUS technique for family fun and exercise!!
Nanci J Bradley, 60, is an early childhood and family educator, author, teacher, SELF-care facilitator, family aerobics instructor, and an all-around fun-loving person. She believes in the power of sleep, healthy eating, lifelong learning and most of all, PLAY! She studied early childhood ed at Triton College and received her BS in education in 1986 from NIU. She received her MA in human development from Pacific Oaks College in 2011. She lives and teaches in Madison WI.