How to Boost Your Energy and Overcome Fatigue

Eating the right foods, exercise and relaxation techniques will help you to overcome fatigue and boost your energy.  

Many of us feel stressed out and find it difficult go through day to day chores.  Your productivity and efficiency will suffer if you are mentally and physically unable to discharge your duties. Here are some tips to boost your energy to tackle day to day problems.

Waking up in the Morning

Set your clock 15 minutes before the time you want to wake up. Take those 15 minutes to mentally prepare yourself to get up and face the tasks of the day ahead. Keep your blinds half open. The first rays of sun entering your bedroom will help you to wake up.

High Energy Breakfast

Breakfast is extremely important to boost energy. Good breakfast will help to boost your metabolism.  You should choose foods that will give you sustained energy. Here is a list of foods recommended for breakfast.

Yogurt is rich in proteins, calcium, vitamin B12, phosphorous and iodine. It is easily digestible and increases your appetite

Egg is ideal for breakfast. It is rich in proteins, vitamins and amino acids. It is an energy booster especially if you eat it raw.

Fish contains proteins and omega 3 fatty acids. Salmon and tuna are excellent energy boosters. They contain creatine which helps to boost your energy right through the day.

Nuts for Energy

Nuts are rich in proteins and fatty acids. They have high fiber content and will curb hunger pangs. Peanuts, almond or walnut are recommended for breakfast.

Bread for Energy

No breakfast is complete without bread. Wholegrain bread is recommended. It is nutritious and helps to boost your energy right through the day.

Fruits that give energy

Papaya, apple, orange, peaches and lemons contain vitamin C and minerals. They help to boost your stamina and energy right through the day.

Commuting to Work

Travelling for long distances is tiresome and leaves you exhausted. It is better to live close to your place of work. If travelling is unavoidable you can meditate or play mental games when you are commuting to work in the train, bus or car. It will help to retain your energy.

Take time to get organized

Don’t keep your desk cluttered. Keep it clean and organized. Untidiness may cause mental fatigue. Organize your tasks early in the morning and keep clean up your desk before you wind up for the day.  

Coffee Breaks

Coffee is an excellent stimulant. A coffee break mid morning and mid evening will help you to relax both physically and mentally. But too much of coffee is not recommended.

Energy Lunch

Combination of fiber and protein will help to boost energy levels. Papaya and mango salad will help to boost your energy.  Don’t be tied to your desk always. Go out and have lunch away from your desk in the office cafeteria or elsewhere. If possible take a short walk after lunch.

Stretching Exercise

If you are working in an office you can do a few stretching exercises sitting at your desk. Upper cervical spine stretch is highly beneficial.

Working hours

Try to finish your work on time. Working overtime may take a toll on your health.  

Journey back home

Try to be as relaxed as possible on your way home. You can listen to your favorite music when you are travelling.  

Before going to Bed

Go to bed early. Try to avoid watching TV or sitting in front of the computers for long.  Take a hot bath 30 minutes before going to bed. This will help you to get to sleep fast. 

Benefits of Almond Oil for Hair Growth

Almond tree has origins in Asia and the Middle East. California produces largest amount of almonds in the world. It produces about 80% of the world’s supply. Almonds have a high oil content of 54%. It is widely used as medicine and also as a cosmetic. The benefits of almond oil for hair growth have been recognized by alternative systems of medicine that have been using it for thousands of years.

Almond oil is yellow tinged and provides very good nourishment to the hair. It is especially useful for people who want to grow long hair. It is used as an ingredient in the manufacture of shampoos and soaps. The shampoos and other chemical based lotions available in the market do make the hair lustrous and soft. But they damage hair in the long run. Almond oil stops hair loss and promotes its growth

Almond Varieties

There are two varieties of almonds. Only the sweet variety is used to promote health. The bitter variety is toxic.

Almonds
      Source: Wikimedia Commons: M. Verkerk

Almond oil contains

 - Vitamin A


- Vitamin D


- Vitamin B1, B2, B6


- Vitamin E


- Copper


- Manganese


- Iron


- Zinc


- Calcium

All these minerals and vitamins promote hair growth.

Almond Oil with Gooseberry

Gooseberry is also very useful in stopping hair loss and promoting hair growth. Almond oil and gooseberry can be mixed together and massaged to the scalp. The massage will also help to improve blood circulation.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Almond oil contains omega 3 fatty acids which is very good for hair. It also absorbs the dust, cleans the scalp, hair and hair follicles. Almond oil can be rubbed to the scalp before taking bath. It softens the skin and helps get rid of dandruff and reduces scalp inflammation. It would be beneficial for people suffering from dermatitis. Omega 3 fatty acids are also very good moisturizers. These fatty acids prevent the hair from drying out and falling off. Fatty acids also nourish the hair and keep it healthy. Almond oil is an emollient which soothes the skin. It has a wonderful aroma. It is a good source of proteins which strengthen and promote hair growth. The benefits of almond oil for hair growth have always been recognized over the years.

Almond oil Recipe for Hair Growth

Recipe 1

Almond oil can be mixed with other essential oils for fragrance. Add 2 drops of vanilla oil to 2 tsp of almond oil before application.

1. Wash your hair before applying almond oil. Pat it dry with a towel still leaving some moisture in the hair.   Moist hair absorbs almond oil better.

2. Take almond oil in your palms and gently massage it to our scalp

3. Cover your hair with a towel. Almond oil seeps through the hair to the roots. Wash it off with a natural shampoo after 30 minutes.

4. Repeat this process at least once a week. It will not only promote hair growth but will also make the hair soft, shiny and smooth.

Recipe 2

Combine equal amounts of almond oil, coconut oil and olive oil and lavender oil. Mix it well and apply it to your scalp with a gentle massage. Both coconut oil and olive oil stop hair loss and promote hair growth. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil for fragrance.Wash it off after one hour. It can also be applied overnight and washed off next morning

Other Health Benefits of Almond oil

Almond oil improves digestion. It has analgesic properties. It is an excellent remedy for muscle pain. Apply few drops of almond oil with a gentle massage to your forehead. It will help to relieve stress and sooth the nerves. it is an excellent lubricant and can be used as a substitute for shaving cream. You can rub in a few drops of the oil on your face. It will not only get rid of acne but will also make your skin soft, smooth and shiny.                                                                                                         

How Can You Strengthen Your Immune System with Food

Food can help you to strengthen your immune system. Our body is susceptible to a variety of diseases. But it is possible to lessen the susceptibility to a certain degree by strengthening our immune system. This can be done by including certain foods in our diet. These foods help to increase the number of white cells in the blood that fight the diseases 

                           

                      Fruits ; Source : Dani Luri Wikimedia Commons

Minerals, vitamins and antioxidants are necessary to strengthen the immune system. All these cannot be found in a single food item. Certain mixture of foods are necessary to get these absorbed by the body efficiently. It has been found that some nutrients help to fight the ill effects of radiation and chemotherapy used for cancer treatment. It would be advisable to use recipes  which contain these combinations of food. For example chicken soup which is such a popular remedy for colds contains the right ingredients for that particular problem. The immune system can be weakened by our lifestyle and environment. Pollution, sunlight, poor diet can all contribute to the weakening of the immune system. This makes the body vulnerable to attacks from viruses and bacteria. Here is a list of foods to boost your immune system naturally.

Garlic

Garlic is a wonder food and an antioxidant. It is described as a miracle food. Garlic contains sulfur which gives immune boosting properties. Sulfur also gives garlic its pungent aroma. It contains an antibiotic called allicin in minute quantities. Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties. As an antioxidant it also has anti-ageing properties. It is also capable of cleaning the body of chemical residues of drugs, alcohol and pollutants.

Green Tea

Green tea is an antioxidant. It contains catechins which boost the immune system. It can kill cancer cells without affecting the healthy cells. It also gets rid of the free radicals. It helps to fight against heart disease and obesity.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a probiotic which contains good bacteria. It helps to stimulate the disease fighting white blood cells. Yogurt also helps to overcome gastrointestinal infections. It is recommended for children suffering from diarrhea. Yogurt helps to minimize the ill effects of antibiotics on friendly bacteria. It is a very good remedy for yeast infections of the vagina. It contains lactic acid which helps the absorption of minerals. It also increases the absorption of calcium.

Carrots

Carrots contain beta carotenes which is an antioxidant. It induces the immune system to target cancer cells. It also protects the cells against free radicals. It contains potassium, calcium, vitamin A, B and C. Carrot acts as an antiseptic. It can be used as a laxative and a vermicide. It can also be used to treat certain liver conditions and also as poultice.

Seafood

Salmon, tuna, crabs and oysters help to boost the immune system. All these contain vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. They can also help to prevent cancer, arthritis and heart diseases.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms contain beta glucans which inhibit the replication of viruses. They are also found in yeast, barley and oats. They help to boost the production of white blood cells and remove toxins from the body.

A change in life style like stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and regular exercises will also help to boost the immune system. Broccoli and cabbage can also be included in the list of foods to strengthen your immune system naturally.