10 ways to find energy when you are tired.

Are We Having Fun Yet? by The Wandering Angel

It’s happened yet again – you stayed up a bit too late last night, and now you’re not feeling as sharp and attentive as usual. When you’re feeling tired, it often makes you feel sad and depressed as well. Struggling to pay attention to ordinary tasks and feeling off-kilter often makes us think we have failed.

What we're really missing is a lack of our usual enthusiasm. We need a few tips and tricks to help us reenergize and rejuvenate ourselves. Once we’re feeling better we easily get back on track to accomplishing the goals and objectives of the day.

Here are 10 tips to help you rediscover your vitality and strength:

1. Drink more water to stay hydrated. Being dehydrated makes can make your muscles.
2. Do some deep breathing. Deep belly breaths add more oxygen to blood making your body work more efficiently.
3. Get up and move. Physical activity wakes up both body and brain and helps you feel more alert. Another exercise benefit is the mood enhancing dopamine that is produced. You’ll feel less depressed as well as tired and have more energy.
4. Eat light, healthy meals and snacks. Now is not the time to have a biggee-size fast food meal and energy drink. Digesting these foods will make your body more sluggish and slow your thinking even more. Instead try nuts, easy-to-grab fruits, and steamed or raw veggies. Salads and
5. Sit quietly for 10 minutes. Close your door or retreat to a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Close your eyes and let you mind rest. Take a few deep breaths to loosen tight muscles and add more oxygen to your body. Rejuvenates body and mind.
6. Do 5 minutes of stretching. Simple twists and bends will increase blood flow to the arms, legs and brain, helping you feel more awake and able to think more clearly. It will also loosen stiffness and relief aches and pains in the body.
7. Do something different. Take a new route to the office, talk to a new person at work, put on music you don’t normally listen to. Changing your routine by even a small amount will increase your interest in the world around you, arousing your curiosity. You’ll soon find yourself thinking more clearly and be better able to concentrate on the important tasks of the day.
8. Have a laugh. A bad mood can make you feel worse and exaggerate your weariness. Add something positive to your day. Share a joke, read a funny quote or simply smile at your coworker. As your mood brightens those endorphins will make you feel more active and happy.
9. Light up your day. Go out in the bright sunshine. Light and dark direct our body clocks to tell us when to sleep and when to wake up. So it makes sense that spending more time in natural light will make you feel more vigorous.
10. Have a splash. Splash some water on your face to wake up. Then dab on some of your favorite perfume or essential oil. Citrus scents like orange and lemon are proven to help focus the brain.

More great articles on getting an energy boost:

12 reasons you’re tired and what to do about it.

7 ways to boost energy at work.

Your guide to never feeling tired again.

Be a Better Villain.

Humor gives us perspective and insight into almost any situation. This book review/humor guide helps us to see how even something as terrible as crime and plots to destroy the world can be funny. Using humor, exaggeration, and playfulness, this look at make-believe evil can be used as salve against real-life malevolence and foul deeds.

The Villain’s Guide to Better Living by Neil Zawacki is a fun-filled, rib-tickling romp through the mind and life of your average evil doer. As Neil explains the hardships of villainy “You can invent a death ray, but you still have to work nights at the video store. You can even replace all humanity with robots, but you can’t convince any of them to go to the movies with you.”

Through this book we find that like real-world criminals, those in the fantasy realm suffer the same fears, frustrations and issues as we every day citizens. Many are geeky, immature, self-conscious and nervous. They struggle with home decorating – should they use glowing green mutant men or the warm orange glow of torches for indoor lighting?

What about home protection? Should you go with a classic, paint-peeling, bat-infested, musty, creaky haunted house, or simply use an invisibility spell to keep out intruders? What about work? You need money to finance your diabolical ventures. You may need a professional resume writer. One proficient in wording and phrasing who can turn: “Raising an army of the dead,” into “Knowledgeable in training coworkers.”

There are even tips for your daily commute. Such as making those traffic jams more bearable by “unleashing your swarm of monkey men.” I have to admit I find the idea tempting myself. If only I had thought to make such an army! There are even tips for “motivating your minions.” Some suggested techniques are “whippings, bribery, ogre supervisors, and lots and lots of shouting.’ Wait – that sounds somewhat familiar. . .

Mr. Zawacki even dips into the social arena, with tips on forming fiendish alliances. Thoughts include “creating life (your own undead monster), secret societies, seedy alien bars, and mind control (such as hypnotism).” Couple that with a one-eyed moat monster or a three-headed hellhound and you’ve got all the companionship any bad guy could ask for.

We could all do with a good laugh, and this book provides those in spades! Filled with unpleasant insight, and revolting revelations, this is one horrifically good read. With all the stress of politics, finances, and the every day struggle of living, this is a must read for humor fans and horror fans alike. Check it out today.

Dealing with Frustration.

Grr! by Martin Kingsley

Many of us experience this feeling over and over. Frustration – that annoying, angry, irritated feeling of being taken advantage of, a feeling of confusion or misunderstanding. A sense of impatience with the pace of progress – yours, someone else’s, or just with life in general.

A lucky few may be graced with patience and fortitude to calmly perceive the situation and respond appropriately. The rest of us though, don’t overcome these negative states quite so easily. Especially when we’re having one of those dreaded “bad days,” where one thing after another goes wrong.

Frustration can come without warning. We may be having a happy, productive, positive day, when suddenly the computer stops working, traffic slows to a crawl and the grocery bill just went up another ten dollars. Our peaceful mood evaporates as we are faced with things we can’t change. Things that get in our way, and cause havoc and chaos in our otherwise orderly life.

So what can we do? How do we reign in those feeling of exasperation as the hassles of life continue to build? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Techniques to fight frustration:

1. Take a deep breath. This old standby does work. If you can take 5-10 deep breaths, and physically relax tense muscles, you will regain control of your body and mind, before you say or do something you’ll regret. Closing your eyes helps, but it’s even better if you can combine it with a safe, quiet place like your bedroom or the bathroom at work.

2. Walk away and quit. Don’t overlook this miracle cure for frustration. If you feel tension building, walk away from your project or task. For 10 minutes, an hour, a day or a week, simply stop what you’re working on until you begin to regain perspective or feel calmer. When you return you’ll see solutions you’d have missed earlier.

3. Do something else. This is similar to #2, but with added benefit of giving your mind and body something to concentrate on. At work you could make some phone calls or data entry before returning back to the difficult issue. If a family fight, walk into another room to read or watch TV for a while. This technique can be very effective, but is useless if not put into practice.

4. A friendly voice. Sometimes all we need is a friendly ear to let us talk about what’s bothering us. Often while we talk we will figure out a resolution ourselves, or our confidant can suggest a great alternative.

5. Ask for help. This one is so simple, we usually overlook it. Maybe we can ask our spouse to do some more chores tonight, or ask a coworker for advice on a task. We can also ask for help at online chat groups for some good non-biased feedback. The inscrutable is once again coherent.

6. Exaggerate. When I remember to do this, it really does work. In your mind you exaggerate the problem or annoyance you’re having to monstrous proportions. Adding more and more detail until your mind reaches the biggest, baddest situation you can imagine. You spouse is a hateful dictator who rules with an iron fist and works you like a slave night and day while he parties with glamorous big-busted beauties, spending cash like Bill Gates on an acid trip. Feel the snickers and giggles forming? Works like a charm!

7. Scream it out. For those days or weeks when the stress is building – bills are due, the car needs work, paperwork is piling up and the dog just threw up on the carpet; let it out. Sometimes a good healthy bout of pillow pounding, feet stomping, non-stop cursing fest is exactly what you need to release the tension. Better to take it out on the furniture than some unsuspecting convenience store clerk.

8. Slow down. One of the least obvious solutions when we are feeling aggravated and upset is to slow down. A deliberate, unhurried pace helps us to focus on one task at a time. By using the steps above; walk away, deep breath, do something else, we can calm ourselves and bring a more positive frame of mind. Anger and haste lead to errors and mistakes that we can easily avoid if we slow ourselves down.

Also see:

Game of Opposites – frustration technique.

Stress Relief at Helpguide.org

New Year Do-Over.

Happy New Year by Mykl Roventine

It’s coming! It’s almost here! That special, wonderful day when we get a chance to right the wrongs and fix our mistakes – instantly. New Year’s Day is our “do-over,” day. That chance we had as kids when we made an easy mistake and messed up before we even got started. We’d just shout out “Do Over,” and viola – like magic our mistakes were forgiven and we had a chance for a fresh start.

Our do-over, could range from anything as simple as trashing a bad drawing to re-starting a friendship. No matter how badly we screwed up, we could claim these golden words, and begin again. Do-over’s were a magical, mystical method of fixing anything, at any time, for any reason. Like wiping the chalkboard clean and starting a new problem, “do-over” offered endless possibilities and chances for corrections.

We didn’t learn that “do-over” wasn’t a valid method of fixing errors until we got older and learned that other people could hit a baseball on the first try, or color a picture perfectly within the lines without needing a chance to redo it. We learned that we should be better, faster, quicker and smarter on the first try – without the need to practice first or fix anything.

The problem with this of course, is that it’s completely unrealistic. We’re not all great dancers, talented athletes, or even good readers on our first try. We need help, practice, and a chance to keep trying until we get it right. Or at least to do it better. Do-over is that magic method we need. A chance to work on our flaws, missteps, bloopers and blunders. An opportunity to fix things to the way we’d like them to be.

This year, don’t dread your New Year’s Resolutions and waste time worrying about past mistakes. Instead, imagine how you could do it differently. Create a new mindset and a new idea of yourself. Don’t let current trends and fads guide you. Envision the new you – and then work to make it reality. Just do-it-over.

Work with your strengths. Focusing on your flaws doesn’t make them disappear, and sometimes just makes you feel worse about yourself. If you’re not a morning person and have no energy to get up, no amount of coercion is going to make you a jump out of bed with a smile at 6 a.m. Instead, use that evening energy to get as much done for the next day as possible; make your lunch, pick out your clothes, put your shoes, keys, wallet and ID badge by the door. Make it as easy as possible to start the day off right.

Do-over your idea of yourself. Instead of seeing someone who doesn’t like to exercise, discover the person who loves to use their workout to catch up on the news or favorite sports show. Do-over your ideas about how things have to be done, and try a new way of living. Don’t like the drive to work? Get a satellite radio to make it more enjoyable. Use a tape recorder to brainstorm ideas for your new project. Or train your mind – mull over brain teasers or practice tongue twisters on your way to work. You’ll arrive alert and relaxed.

Above all, remember that whatever mistakes you made yesterday, whatever you messed up, today is a day full of new beginnings and fresh starts. Every day can be a “do-over” day if you need it to be. When you put forth the effort, you will see results. So what will you “do-over” today?

Christmas Sprit

City and County Building, Denver, CO by trythil

I love Christmas time. It’s so beautiful and nice. I love the twinkling lights and sparkling snow, the hot cocoa and happy music. Have you ever heard music cheerier than what they play at Christmas? If it was a food it’d be a 10,000 calorie dish it’s so sweet and nice.

People are kinder too. I’m constantly amazed at the generosity of the American people. While they give to hurricane relief, flood relief and help with emergencies and disasters of all kinds, they kick things up into high gear during Christmas. Food pantries, toy drives, money for the needy, hearts and pocketbooks open up so that everyone can enjoy the happiness of a full belly and a gift under the tree.

Sure there might still be a few scrooges or a Grinch or two, but somehow it’s just easier to laugh them off instead of taking their grouchiness to heart. People are more light-hearted and quicker to laugh. We share Christmas cartoons, emails, jokes, recipes and more. We feast and celebrate for an entire month and grow closer together in the merriment.

Have you been putting off your Christmas fun while you get your shopping and cooking and cleaning done? Well, now is the time to enjoy it! It’s the last weekend before Christmas. Time to have some sugar cookies and watch It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street while you cuddle with your spouse or child. Time to sing some Christmas carols or sit in the quiet of a peaceful night with the glow of the Christmas tree softly lighting the room.

Christmas is too beautiful to pass up. Don’t let the excitement and preparation for the holiday take away your time to enjoy it. Go for a walk or a drive and see all the Christmas lights in your neighborhood. Or have dinner out with friends and take a break from the kitchen. Put the ornaments on the tree, attend church, go ice-skating, build a snowman, bake cookies or whatever else you love to do.

Christmas is a wonderful experience of excitement, laughter, food and family. It is a special time when our abundant blessings are cherished and savored. It only happens one time a year – so live it up! And have a very Merry Christmas! Peace and blessings to all of you.

Good Times Get You Through.

Dreamin’ – Hot Air Balloon Rides by stop.down

This past weekend a beloved family member passed away. While we knew she was ill since last January, it was still a tough process to go through. For me, many of my happier memories are what helped me get through the tough times.

Often we think of fun and joy as frivolous and silly. We may think there are more important things, like our job, our house, our children and our bodies. While these things are important, they mean little to nothing if not enjoyed.

If all we did was labor at work, toil at home, or slave on the treadmill, life would be a boring, dull wasteland. If not what we do in life, but how we do it that makes life worthwhile. Seeing someone die enforces this lesson like nothing else can.

Joy, laughter, and interesting, exciting activities are what make life good. Thinking back to all the happy times we had made the sadness of her loss easier to bear. It’s a vibrant reminder that life is in the little things. Those things we do each and every day.

Do you sing while you wash the dishes? Do you stargaze as you take out the trash? Do you share a joke or two each day at work? These are all opportunities to add fun and joy to your day.

Planning your fun is an important step in producing festive souvenirs of the past. Too often we think that fun is something that just happens. We think if we go to the amusement park, our joy will be unbounded. Then we arrive and find long lines or blistering heat and our expectations are dashed.

Fun doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A family gathering of pizza and board games on Friday night can be spontaneous and silly. A dinner out with friends can be an adventure when you experiment with different cultures and tastes. Fun comes in millions of shapes and forms, there’s something out there for everyone.

Happy memories and good times can be wonderful when they occur, but their true value is in remembered joy. When life throws us into turmoil, it can be those bright, shining recollections of more joyous moments that glimmer with a beacon of hope. Perhaps if those cheerful, fortunate times happened before, they can happen again.

The key is realizing that now is the time to build those indelible moments that will stand the test of time. Don’t let bills or financial worries keep you from your fun. A day at the park or beach can be just as playful as a stay at an amusement park. A cookie exchange where each person brings their own favorite can be a tasty and fun way to exchange recipes and have a good time.

There is no perfect way to have fun. Have an indoor picnic while you watch the snow fall outside. Have a movie theme night and play only Jack Nicholson or only comedy movies. Have a garden party and make delicious dishes from the vegetables. Whatever hobby or game you enjoy can make for a fantastic starting point to fun. And you can start this very day. Let go and enjoy – it’s what life is all about!

Savor the Moment

Sunset by Per Ola Wiberg (former ponanwi and Powi)

When is the last time you had a romantic candlelit dinner with wine and roses? Have you seen the first snowflakes of the season - for many people they have already appeared? While driving did you notice the sun shimmering on the orange and red leaves so that they seemed on fire? Have you heard the crickets serenading at night or birds singing in the morning? If not, you are depriving yourself of some of life’s greatest beauties.

Beautiful moments happen every day. Sometimes, in our rush to get to work, home, the store, wash the dishes or dust the house, we miss out on simple pleasures that could lighten our day and bring wonder and bliss to our lives. We fool ourselves into thinking that we can enjoy it tomorrow or the next day, not realizing that we’re cheating ourselves in the process.

Appreciating and being aware of small joys not only changes our mood, making us smile and laugh more, it changes our perspective as well. When we have 10 minutes of silence before beginning our day of work, we notice that our day starts off more relaxed and peaceful. Our interactions with others are calmer and more productive so we accomplish more.

Scheduling time for ourselves helps keep us balanced. When we make time for Saturday morning golf game, or a trip to the mall with girlfriends, the satisfaction we receive stays with us all week. Putting aside an hour a day to spend time with family, read a book, join a fitness club or take a cooking class adds fulfillment to each day. It’s a small goal that can make a huge difference in how you feel day to day.

Utilize the senses. Take a moment to inhale the fresh clean air outside. Listen to the sound of your child laughing, your cat purring or music you love. Feel the soft cuddly texture of the sweater you’re wearing. Luxuriate in the warmth of a hot, steamy shower. Taste the velvety smoothness of your favorite chocolate, the silky smooth chill of ice cream or succulent flavor of a juicy steak.

Lastly, the best reason to savor the moment is because time is so fleeting. Unexpected difficulties like illness, financial problems or auto and home repairs can hit without warning. Take the time today to relish your good health, happy relationship and positive cashflow. Don’t enjoy tomorrow what you could enjoy today.

Here are a few things to savor:

• Hearing your child saying you’re the best mommy in the universe.
• Seeing the sparkle of frost in the early morning twilight.
• Sitting alone for 10 minutes with only silence for company.
• Attending a music concert. Feeling the vibrations flow through you.
• The flavor and aroma at your favorite Italian restaurant.
• Admiring your reflection in the mirror when you look good.
• Enjoying a Sunday afternoon nap.
• A rainbow after the storm.
• Freshly laundered clothes warm from the dryer.
• Having a job and getting a steady paycheck.
• Low gas prices.
• Adorable costumes and trick-or-treaters on Halloween.