instant energy boosters

I have mentioned before all the ways I try to be more relaxed, more centered, more Not In A Snit. That is all well and good but there are those times where relaxing is not on the agenda and I need energy! Now! Especially with the Holiday Vortex that is about to hit.

I was inspired by this from an article I read in the ‘Real Simple’ magazine, July 2010 issue. The title was ‘25 Instant Energy Boosters‘ and when I was reading all the ideas, I was pleased to see that there were some that I was already using but many more that I plan on adopting. Here’s the link to the original article for those of you who are interested:

Are you like me and there are those mornings (more than we like) where energy seems like a foreign concept? I have and there are some steps I take to overcome that. While I am waiting for the coffee to brew (I have heard that a Watched Pot Never Boils and it’s true!) I cheat and shower using my Coffee Body Scrub. It is a combination of coffee grounds, corn meal, almond oil and peppermint essential oil. After using it, you’re going to want to rename it, “Well, Good Morning!” Not only does it give you a quick mood lift, it makes your skin feel oh, so smooth. The best thing is how easy it is to make. Other than the essential oil, you probably have all the ingredients necessary to make it. I have thrown everything in a bowl within a few minutes while the shower is heating up. And I can guarantee that it will definitely get you going! Another trick I have in my shower is using a stimulating essential oil in my shower gel. Peppermint, rosemary and any citrus scent (orange, lemon and grapefruit) are known to perk up the senses and mood. Adding these oils to a non-scented gel is easy-peasy. I get my organic glycerin liquid shower/hair gel on-line at www.thegourmetrose.com. I purchase a gallon at a time (for around $25.00 plus shipping and handling) and use it for my shower, hand soap and dish soap adding different essential oils to each one.

On those extra tough mornings when the shower might help, but not quite make it better, I have a trick where I will choose a color to wear that is bright and cheerful. Coral and yellow are my Go To colors to make me look my best, even if I’m not quite feeling it inside. It is known among color experts that red, orange and yellow are considered the most energizing, while cool tones (like green, blue, indigo and violet) promote calmness. If you’re just not Feeling It, you might as well Look It!

Aromatherapy is a big part of trying to help myself to relax or feel more energy or have more clarity. Here are a few essential oils that can help with what we are talking about today: Energy!

Citrus has been a scent used by many manufacturers of soaps and other bath products to promote a sense of well-being. The simple act of cutting a lemon or grating a grapefruit can make one feel good just by smelling the freshness of the citrus. Essential oils with these scents are easy to find. Try orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit or a combination of two or all of them. For a quick pick-me-up, try moistening a cotton ball with a few drops of any of those scents and inhale. Bergamot is another citrusy-smelling oil that you might like.

Jasmine and Peppermint: Dr. Alan Hirsch, a neurologist in Chicago, says that jasmine increases beta waves, which make you more alert. He also says that peppermint stimulates the trigeminal nerve, which stimulates the area of the brain responsible for arousal and can make you more alert. And who doesn’t need that on occasion?

You can utilize these essential oils when making your own products. Here are just a few that are easy but carry a great reward:

Hand soap and lotion: Make these and keep them on your kitchen and bathroom counters. Every time you wash your hands you’ll receive a nice little lift from the smell of peppermint or citrus and you’ll keep your hands hydrated. Always a challenge when your hands seem to be in water all the time!

Air mist: Simple and yummy. I have not purchased air sprays for years. If you take a look at the back of the cans, you will see ingredients that are basically man-made chemicals. We have no idea what the long-term consequences are by inhaling these chemicals so I have chosen to make my own so I know for sure what I am breathing. My mist is water, alcohol (or witch hazel) and an essential oil. Again, it is fast and easy to make and you choose what scent to use.  When I do smell a man-made air freshener, I can’t help thinking that my citrus blend smells much better than their ‘Tahitian Tropical Sea Mist!’

These are the Help! I Need an Energy Boost! remedies that I use but there are many more suggested in the article. You may want to take a look at it and consider one (or all) of the following:

Follow an Eat-For-Energy diet for a day-the article has a time line that includes protein meals, snacks and even a bedtime suggestion of chamomile herbal tea right before sleep. As we all know, a good night’s sleep is essential to feeling energy the next day.

Laugh. This is my favorite endorphin-producing act.

Be nice to a stranger.

Rise and seek the sun for 20 minutes within 15 minutes of getting out of bed.

Avoid Energy Vampires (and you know who they are!) like the Chronic Talker, The Sob Sister, The Blamer, and, well, you get the idea.

Learn forgiveness; of yourself and others.

Learn to breathe.

Dance. Even for a few minutes.

Three Minute Meditation. If you are a novice, the article suggests you search youtube.com for ‘Havasupai Indian Waterfall Relaxation Video’. Or start out trying to meditate for 10 seconds. Then the next time for 20 seconds. And so on.

Like I have mentioned, the holidays are looming over us and will be here (and over!) before we know it. We will all need energy big time and any little thing we do will help!
Coffee Body Scrub

Yield: 1 3/4 cups

Ingredients:

3/4 cups coffee, ground, used or fresh
1/2 cup corn meal
1/2 cup salt, can substitute sugar
2 Tbsp. olive oil or almond oil
30 drops essential oil, peppermint

Directions:

Mix well in bowl. Store in air-tight container.

For those of you sensitive to caffeine, you can use decaffeinated. If using the real thing, be aware of WHEN you use it; you don’t want to be up all night!

Air Mist

Yield: 4 ounces

Ingredients:

3 1/2 oz. water, distilled or filtered
1/2 oz. witch hazel (or rubbing alcohol)
35 drops essential oil, of your choice

Directions:

In 4 ounce bottle, mix in water and witch hazel. Carefully measure in essential oil directly in the bottle. Shake well before each use.

Citrus Blossom Essential Oil Blend

For the 4 ounces of air mist use the following oils and proportions:

10 drops jasmine
8 drops bergamot
6 drops grapefruit
6 drops orange
4 drops lemon

This is a favorite of many of my friends and I have used it in oils, lotions, body creams, bath salts and anything else that calls for an essential oil. It is well worth the search for ingredients. Very yummy.