Kent Sport health and fitness instructor Sarah Black offers some advice about the measures you can take to enhance your energy.
In a modern lifestyle the mind and muscles are kept tense all the time. This can deplete large amounts of stored energy, causing a variety of stress-related symptoms.
Every action involves several stages. Stimuli are taken in through the senses and are transmitted via the nervous system to the mind. The mind analyses stimuli and decides what action, if any, is to be taken. The mind then sends an impulse to muscles involved along with an extra energy supply to perform the action. The impulse, enforced with the energy, causes the muscles to contract and react.
We are so bombarded by stimuli that most people unknowingly waste enormous energy.
Certain exercises increase the body’s energy but this is futile if we continue to waste energy keeping the muscles in a tense state of readiness, when there is no need.
If we are constantly bombarded by stress and worry our resources and energy is exhausted. Tension occurs, physical stiffness, illness, anxiety and even depression may result in the fatigue.
The key is to reduce the amount of stimuli to which we are subjected. Deep sleep rejuvenates the body and mind, whilst restless dream state disrupts it.
When you feel mentally stressed try and eradicate the cause and use tools and techniques to combat the restless state.
Mental Relaxation – turn off loud noises, bright lighting, and distractions. Your mind will only keep working if the surroundings are not settled. Tune yourself out by preparing the setting that will offer a tranquil nights rest.
Time – just like your traditions, the body needs to create its own. Schedule your body clock by keeping regular times so you can adjust better to the routine of sleep. Regularity is essential for effective adaptation that will see positive habits forming.
Setting– keep a positive environment, if you want a productive rest. Choose warm colours resembling calmness and comfort. Think sunrises and sunsets rather than cold icy blues and brightness.
Concentration – select a simple point to concentrate on. Breathing is a good choice as it focuses your awareness internally, engaging on your inner activity and sense of emotion.
Nutrition– before bed, beat bulging belly. Rather than going to bed with a full stomach, remember your energy and system will be required to work overtime digesting the meal. Taking away priority of rest and actually promoting alertness. Choose simple, light meals that will bode well with the bloat. If you have the munchies choose a banana, a kiwi, an orange instead of an Indian tikka masala or Cadbury’s Oreo? A healthy choice will impact profoundly on the night’s pattern of sleep.
Diet– during the day our food choices reflect our energy, our mood, our personality and our health. Essential energy maintains purity of body and mind so eat with consideration. If you want to achieve all round optimum in performance, diet is your priority. Variety, colour, quality and quantity need to be questions you answer with thought and reasons. Keep in mind your essentials and the guidelines and if you eat a well-balanced, varied diet then there will be no need to take any supplements.
My final advice is this. There is no problem in this world that is too big that it cannot be fixed! Therefore puzzling on how to mend issues whilst your head is rested on a pillow will do you no good? When you wake up in the morning your ‘issue’ will still be waiting for you; or the nights rest would have changed your perception and there may no longer be an issue to worry about any longer? Having had a restful night’s sleep will supply you with the capability and determination to conquer any stress with greater ease.
Every car needs a responsible driver, just like everybody needs a healthy mind.
Be kind to yourself, your body, your mind and the rewards will be limitless.
If you would like assistance with your wellbeing and fitness goals, drop in to the Sports Centre and have a chat with our Fitness Team or visit www.kent.ac.uk/sports for details of fitness classes, fun events and our fitness services.