Five "Energy Boosters" That Aren't

Last week, I posted about quick energy boosters for times when you’re superbusy, skimping on sleep, and running low on energy. When your energy starts sinking, it can be tough to right the ship. One big reason: lots of energy boosters are actually energy drains in disguise.

Sugary Snacks

Sugar seems like the fastest route to an energy boost—but like many supposed energy-boosters, it’s actually an energy drain. In a well-known study, California State University-Long Beach professor Robert Thayer, Ph.D. had 18 people either eat a candy bar or take a brisk 10-minute walk. He found that a brisk walk boosted energy for two hours, while the sweet treat left participants feeling more tired an hour later. For energy that lasts, try swapping sugary snacks for nuts, dried fruit, or yogurt.

Caffeine

If you start the day with a big cup of java, beware: the added energy it gives you isn’t free. The National Sleep Foundation reports that overdoing caffeine can lead to an energy crash when its stimulating effects start to wear off 6-8 hours later. So a 6 a.m. jolt of caffeine could contribute to the dreaded 2 p.m. mega-slump. Go halfsies in caffeine by requsting a "half decaf" latte, or drink tea instead.

Parties

When you’re overwhelmed with work or family commitments, a night out with friends (or ANYthing out of the house) sounds like a great energy boost. But it might leave you more stressed and distracted, especially if you tend to absorb the energy and social cues of everyone around you and get overinvolved in draining conversations. I don’t advocate closing yourself off from the world, because a well-chosen social engagement can boost your energy. But other commitments can leave you drained and distracted, so when your energy is running low, don’t feel obligated to be a social butterfly. Cut social commitments that don’t bring you joy, and watch your energy swell. (Here’s a great post by Sophia Dembling at PsychologyToday.com on “Plugging Energy Drains” by saying no social pressure.) 

Social Media

Social media is many things—fun, engaging, expansive—but when you’re scraping the bottom of the energy barrel, it’s not the best place to be. Social media are every bit as draining as in-person social interactions, times 100: In a single page view, you have dozens of people complaining, asking for help, requesting your opinion, gloating about their own accomplishments, and generally fighting for your eyeballs. How can that not be draining? If it’s an energy boost you’re after, try directing your browser elsewhere—a 5-minute inbox sweep or a quick peek at a news website or blog gives you a feeling of connectedness with the outside world, without the eye-popping energy suck.

Ignoring the Mess

When energy and time are scarce, it’s easy to let clutter build up and chaos reign in order to devote precious minutes elsewhere. But clutter saps your energy and sours your mood. If a whole-house scrubdown is out of the question right now, aim to conquer one corner of your space each day. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and blast through it—you’ll get a mini-buzz of accomplishment to fuel the rest of your day.

Quick Energy Fixes For When Sleep is Scarce

No matter how hard we try to stay well-rested, it’s not always doable. We all have times in life when sleep is scarce. When I’m missing sleep because the kids are sick, I’m finishing a big project, or I’m in the middle of a page-turner, I definitely feel it the next day.

Short of downing a mega-mug of coffee, is there anything you can do to feel brighter and more energetic when you’re not getting enough zzzzs? Yep, and thankfully, these fixes are quick and easy (and unlike extra-strength java, they won't leave you sweaty and jittery).

Do the Chew

According to a study from University of Northumbria, the act of chewing gum perks up the brain and increases memory recall. For double dose of energy, make it peppermint gum: In a study funded by NASA, researchers found that minty scents increased alertness by 30 percent.

Under Pressure

According to proponents of acupressure, stimulating pressure points can help beat fatigue. For an ancient energy-booster, hold the pressure point between your thumb and forefinger for a moment or two.

Move It

When you’re dragging, exercising may be the last thing you want to do, but a 10-15 minute workout can be the best anecdote to fatigue. To really give fatigue the boot, maintain a regular routine of moderate exercise: in this study from University of Georgia, people who exercised for 20 minutes, three times a week saw a 20 percent boost in energy levels and decreased their fatigue by 65 percent. 

Brighten Up

If you’re hanging out in a cozy cave of a room, you’ll probably feel sluggish. Dark environments tell your brain that sleepytime is near and cue the production of nighty-night neurochemicals melatonin and serotonin. In contrast, bright light wakes up the brain and helps banish the blahs. So pull back those curtains and let the sun shine in.

Top Up With Tunes

Music lights up your brain’s pleasure centers and can help jolt you out of an energy rut. Bonus: if your kids are around, put on some jams and jump around together! The musical mini-workout will do the whole family good.

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