We all know the feeling of being overwhelmed. Whether it’s work, chores, paying bills, or taking the kids to school, they all require our time and attention, and some days we just don’t feel up to it. To keep downer days to a minimum, work these five tricks into your daily routine to help you start the day off right and keep your motivation running high.
This post was written by guest Take 5 author Allen Johnson, an NPTI, TRX and Vipr Certified Personal Trainer in Chapel Hill, NC. Find more of his latest tips and resources here.
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1. Drink a big glass of water in the morning.
Don’t hit the snooze button. Instead, start your day right with a tall glass of water. It jumpstarts your metabolism for a much-needed spark of energy when that alarm goes off.
2. Make a list.
Knowing what you are going to accomplish that day takes the weight off your shoulders and on to the paper, so it becomes a source of enjoyment to mark things off the list, rather than stress. DONE! always feels good.
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3. Take in some caffeine.
Sometimes a little help can go a long way, but don’t overdo it! But instead of another cup of coffee, try brightening your afternoon with a cup of green tea instead. Green tea has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels, help with weight loss, and even fight depression, just to name a few benefits.
4. Exercise.
Everyone has heard the benefits of working out, but too many people think it requires a level of commitment that they cannot achieve. Just 20 minutes a day can help you look and feel better. Including things like high intensity interval training and circuit training can get you the greatest results for time spent sweating.
5. Meditate.
We all need time to focus on what’s most important: ourselves. Reducing stress in one’s life will result in a more comfortable and confident you. Find a comfortable space and sitting position with no one around. While breathing deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, think of nothing but the sound of your breath. Do this 10 times. How do you feel?
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Allen Johnson is an NPTI, TRX and Vipr certified personal trainer in Chapel Hill, NC, who specializes in functional training, weight loss and athletics. He has worked with a wide range of clients in several fitness settings. His fitness philosophy is centered on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and feeling good by bringing his clients to a maintainable state of good health, helping to relieve daily aches and pains, and reducing their chances of injury. Find more of his fitness tips here.
Body Mechanix, Inc. is a Charlotte, NC-based company specializing in injury prevention, workplace ergonomics and physical therapy. Led by certified ergonomics assessment specialists, BMI provides on-site ergonomics analyses, injury prevention programs, wellness programs, and other services to large and small companies across the US.