Natural Living

Health: 9 holistic ways to boost your vitality

Put a spring in your step this season with these quick-fix energy boosters to keep you firing on all cylinders

Put a spring in your step this season with these quick-fix energy boosters to keep you firing on all cylinders
In Chinese Medicine, one of the most important ways to encourage energy or ‘qi’ is to breathe properly. Stress, poor posture, a snug waistline, and habit are some of the reasons why our breath doesn’t make it down to the bottom of our lungs so make sure you’re getting your full quota by practising diaphragmatic breathing. Also known as deep belly breathing, it is a simple way you can increase your qi energy and improve your stamina

Feet

Give yourself a a foot massage (or better still, get someone to to do it for you). This will trigger reflexology points on your feet that are connected energetically to other parts of your body. By massaging these points, you will encourage the energy to flow more smoothly and boost your wellbeing.

Flower remedies

are a great instant fix when you’re feeling jaded or out of sorts. Olive, elm, hornbeam and wild rose are all great energy boosters or try keeping a bottle of Rescue Remedy in your bag which is a combination of several emotionally uplifting essences.

Meditation exercises

increase oxygen intake and hence increase energy levels. There are loads of different ways to meditate – the easiest way would be to sit comfortably in your chair, close your eyes, and begin concentrating on your breathing. Make sure to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth, in order to maximise oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expenditure.

THE COLOUR RED

carries the energy of fire element in feng shui and is a great way to restore flagging spirits. Why not scatter some red cushions on your sofa or wear a fire engine-red scarf to give you a lift?

In the ayurvedic tradition, warming herbs such as ginger and cinnamon increase energy, especially when sipped throughout the day as a tea.

Every hour,

take a 60 second break. Breathe deeply; stand up and stretch; drink a glass of water or a herbal infusion. Small frequent rests help more than an extra hour of sleep; but do both if you can.

Aromatherapy

can work wonders with sluggishness. The aromas trigger certain neural pathways in the brain, which can, in turn, have an effect on your hormone levels. The end result is that your sleep can improve, and you can feel uplifted and energised. Try burning essential oils of rosemary, lemon, orange, and cinnamon which are known for their rejuvenating properties in your home.

Remember

to drink enough water. Did you know that thirst can also masquerade as fatigue? “Sometimes, even slight dehydration can leave you feeling tired and lethargic,” says nutritionist Keith Ayoob at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. You should be aiming to drink around two litres of pure water a day but herb teas and tisanes are also beneficial.

CRYSTALS

can be used to revitalise your system, says Mary Lambert, author of Natural Highs for Body and Soul (£12.99, Hamlyn). “Their crystalline structure enables them to absorb, strengthen and then transmit electromagnetic energy which can balance the vibratory level of the aura, chakras and body cells,” she says. “Try wearing a piece of green tourmaline or rose quartz, both of which have energising properties.”“

4 OF THE BEST energy boosters

BetterYou B12oost, £11.95 from Holland & Barrett, is a vitamin B12 oral spray, which also contains chromium and green tea extract. B vitamins contribute to energy metabolism and support the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Aveda Energizing Body Cleaner, £16.50 stimulates the senses with an exhilarating plant-derived aroma of aloe vera, witch hazel, grapefruit seed-plus, peppermint and ylang ylang.

Acupuncturist Annee de Mamiel, has just launched her Vitality Tea, £15, which contains energy-boosting lemongrass stalk, peppermint leaf, orange peel, Goji berry and rosemary leaf.

Cowshed’s Grumpy Cow, £20, contains citrus essential oils of mandarin red to invigorate, petitgrain to cleanse and purify and grapefruit to stimulate your circulation and uplift your senses.

Supplement boost

When taken together coenzyme and carnitine become a real energy powerhouse. Coenzyme Q10 is a vitamin-like substance found in every cell in the body and helps to play a role in the production of the amino acid carnitine which the body naturally produces in the brain, heart and kidneys and helps to build stamina strength.