5 Ways To Boost Your Energy As The Seasons Change

It's about that time of year when it gets dark way too early, outdoor workouts are less frequent and cuddling up in sweats to watch Netflix wins over just about anything else. Add to the mix that we have been spending more time at home these past few months, so it feels pretty normal to be less active. With autumn underway and winter around the corner, how do we boost our energy—especially during a pandemic!? 

We can be energized from an exciting conversation with a friend, an edge-of-your-seat movie or a double espresso! But when it comes to sustained energy coming from healthy habits and sources, here are my five favorite ways to boost your energy as the seasons change.

1) Drink Your Energy

When you need an extra boost for your workout or to stay focused at the office, it can be hard to find a sustained energy source made from only the best ingredients without any artificial preservatives or flavors. I recently came across CELSIUS Fitness Drinks, and I’m obsessed! Different from other energy drinks, CELSIUS uses energizing ingredients like green tea extract, guarana seed extract and vitamin B and is clinically proven to boost your metabolism and help burn body fat when combined with exercise. Also, it doesn’t cause the jitters! Ketanga partnered with CELSIUS on a recent retreat to the Hudson Valley where we offered guests a boost during the morning movement workouts. I wasn’t a bit surprised with the amazing feedback, even from those who do not drink energy beverages regularly! So CELSIUS had to be my #1 for this list of ways to stay energized as the seasons change. And for fall in particular, try the Sparkling Fuji Apple Pear for a seasonal and delicious flavor! Learn more at CELSIUS.com!

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2) The Sleep Secret

Sleep! It's that strange thing we don't want to do when we're out having fun in the evening but that we want more than anything else when that alarm goes off in the morning. Getting a good night's sleep is integral in being energized during the day, particularly as the seasons are changing and the darkness comes so much earlier in the day. In order to get that good, restful sleep that will energize you in the morning, keep these three things in mind:

1. ​​Maintain a consistent sleep schedule—that means set a bedtime and not just a wake-up time! Set an evening alarm to prepare you an hour before bed so you can do what you need to do to make it under the covers by your designated time.
2. Screens off! I know you've heard this one before, but have you really tried it? I like to read before bed and lately I have been reading on my phone, so that's kind of cheating... BUT it is a lot more restful than watching TV before I drift into sleep.
3. If there is something on your mind that prevents you from falling asleep such as a list of things you need to do the next day, simply write it down on a piece of paper before you go to bed. This simple technique will allow you to free your mind of the hounding thought without fear that you'll forget it in the morning since it is down on paper!

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3) Move it!

Movement is sooo important when it comes to energizing yourself, especially on those chilly, dark or rainy days when you just want to stay home. On our fitness retreats, we always like to kick off the day with some morning movement as it really sets the tone for the rest of the day whether we are headed out for adventure or staying in to relax. As the seasons change, some of my top tips to stay moving are: 

• Start your day with movement, even if it's not your actual workout! Do walking lunges to the bathroom or stroll around the block while your coffee is brewing. Once the initial shock of waking up is over, you'll find it much easier to make these little routines into healthy habits.
• Find an accountability buddy who you can sign up for virtual fitness classes with. You'll see each other (if it's on a video platform like Zoom) and you'll feel more inclined to keep the date and not cancel when someone else is involved.
• On those days when you're just feeling lazy and want to Netflix and chill, give yourself a break. While you would ideally do some physical activity each day, sometimes your mind and body need a day off, and that is ok. But before you get snuggled, do me a favor and do one workout move, let's say hold a plank for one minute. Not too bad, right? So now, roll over and do 30 crunches. Guess what, you're exercising! Once you get started (which is usually the hardest part), you'll be more motivated and energized to keep going, even if you end up doing just five minutes of core on the floor!

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4) The Hydration Game

We all know how important it is to drink water and how crappy and unenergized we can feel when we are dehydrated. I am one of the lucky people who actually likes water (my aunt hates it, how is that even a thing?!), but I still often find myself going hours between sips. I've upped my intake by making a game of it using some clever water bottles (available on Amazon). Using marks on the bottle, I challenge myself to drink about an inch (10oz) of water every 2 hours. When I look at it that way, it's so easy to achieve my goal of 64oz per day, and I often find myself getting ahead and refilling the whole bottle. Next goal: one gallon per day!

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5) The Anytime Energy Snack

These energy balls couldn't be easier to make, and they are really truly delicious! I make them in bulk and freeze until I'm ready to use them. They are versatile and tasty; I've had them as breakfast, a snack and even as a boost before a workout! I made up this recipe, so I hope you like it! Here's how you make them:

Ingredients:

• 2 scoops (about half a cup) of protein powder (I like to use chocolate or vanilla whey)
• 1.5 cups of oats
• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons (raw) honey
• 3-4 tablespoons of almond milk
• Handful of toppings like chocolate chips, chopped almonds, coconut flakes, raisins, or chia seeds (optional)

Instructions:

• Pour protein powder, oats, peanut butter and honey into a bowl and mix until well-combined.
• Add in the almond milk about a tablespoon at a time and keep mixing until you have the right consistency: sticky enough and not too liquidy to hold a ball shape. 
• Mix in the toppings of your choice!
• Roll into ping pong ball-sized balls. Pop into the fridge or freezer to harden a bit and enjoy!

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