The Best Ways to Energize Your Mind
When 2 p.m. rolls around, does your attention start to wander? Does your productivity level drop? Does your mind feel foggy and unfocused? If you are struggling with mental as well as physical energy, there are a few simple steps you can take that will help you feel immensely sharper throughout the day.
Just as exercise energizes the body, the following 7 simple steps will help you energize your mind and beat that afternoon slump:
7 Mentally Energizing Tips
1. Meditate
You have likely heard so much about meditation that you think that everyone is doing it. And, according to vast research, everyone should be meditating. Meditation can increase gray matter in the brain, enhance health and wellness, and provide an instant energy boost.
You can even find a wealth of guided meditations targeted at increasing energy, mental focus, and concentration. You can start small and slow — just five minutes a day — and then expand up to 20 minutes to provide the awareness and energy you need to get through the day successfully.
2. Optimize and Prioritize Your Sleep 
Poor sleep habits won’t just make you tired and cranky — they put you at greater risk for heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, among other conditions, according to Harvard University. On the other hand, the benefits of a good night’s sleep are nearly limitless: more energy and fewer injuries, better health, better sex, enhanced memory and mood, and many more, according to WebMD.
Sleep needs to be a priority in your life:
- Set a regular sleep schedule.
- Make sure your room is dark and cool.
- Turn off the electronics at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime.
And try to maintain the same schedule throughout the week and weekend.
3. Eat Brain-Boosting Foods
Enjoy a diet rich in lean protein, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and whole foods to maintain a constant flow of energy. The best food for your brain includes leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, fish, blueberries and red grapes, eggs, avocados, and whole grains.
It goes without saying, but do your best to avoid sugar, processed, and fast food. These are the enemies of energy and brainpower.
If you can’t consume adequate amounts of these brain boosters every day, then try a brain-boosting supplement such as Alpha Brain, a nootropic supplement that was designed to enhance memory, focus, and clarity; it can support verbal memory, peak brain waves and speed up processing speed, according to a clinical study by the Boston Center for Memory.
4. Take a Cold Shower
While a cold shower (for at least two and ideally eight minutes) may not sound like your idea of a great time, cooling off your body in this way can stimulate your mind. Cold showers can also stimulate circulation and weight loss and help relieve stress, potentially serving as an antidepressant as well. Try it for a week and pay attention to the refreshing results.
5. Go Outside
Fresh air does the body and the mind good. Time in nature can restore energy and improve concentration while enhancing short-term memory and also relieving stress, according to research. Even better, outside simply feeling good.
Enjoy a bike ride, a cup of coffee on the front porch, a walking meeting with a colleague, or just take the long way to your car the next time you need a little boost. Make a point to spend time in nature every day to reconnect with the world around you while finding the mental focus you need.
6. Hydrate Yourself
One of the leading causes of fatigue (especially in the workplace) is not staying hydrated. Dehydration can lead to headaches, dizziness, and even lower blood pressure. If you’re feeling a little ‘out of it’ during the day, grab a glass of water.
Research suggests that you should drink anywhere from 10 to 15 cups per day.
7. Take a Coffee Nap
You’re probably already familiar with the separate benefits of coffee and napping. But what if you combined them? Coffee, when combined with naps, works to help stimulate and energize the mind (much better than either do alone). It sounds as simple as it is…
Next time you’re feeling a little mentally groggy, down a cup of coffee and immediately take a 20-minute nap. Of course, waiting until the caffeine kicks in may make napping a bit tough.
Wrap-Up
Mid-afternoon (or sometimes it’s first thing in the morning and throughout the entire day) can be a tough time when it comes to mental energy. When you fuel your mind and body, take some time to breathe and maybe explore the benefits of a cold shower. You will be well on the path to all-day energy and focus.
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