&more!

Young Lincoln by Jan Jacobi

A Local history teacher, Jacobi has created a series of young adult books about the life of Abraham Lincoln. The first in the series of novels focuses on his early childhood and ends with his election to the Illinois state legislature. There are exciting adventures on riverboats but also gut wrenching losses.

The Daddy Diaries: The Year I Grew Up by Andy Cohen

By now, you should know about my rather unhealthy obsession with Andy Cohen. He has the career I’ve always wanted: celebrities, reality TV and outstanding gossip! This book follows his life as he transitions into a full time father of two. Great stories with A-list names. It won’t make you any smarter, but it will make you laugh!

Bang, Bang, Crash by Nic Brown

In this memoir of professional drummer Nic Brown, we follow his life in rock-n-roll, his early successes and then the realization that drumming was not his only skill. After being admitted to the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop, he finds his next passion: writing. A very interesting career path for a very interesting man.

FUBAR (Netflix)

I have never been a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger, but now I am. This guy can do comedy! In this series, a father and daughter find they are both CIA operatives and must work together to get the bad guys. Arnold is outstanding as the befuddled father who is ready for retirement but takes on one last mission with his daughter. I promise you will laugh!

Stay Active

Want to sleep more soundly?

Exercise! Studies in both college students and office workers found that participating in exercise programs reduced fatigue and improved quality of sleep. Physical activity helps circulate oxygen throughout your body and gives your cells more energy to burn. It also can improve your mood with increased dopamine levels.

Eat Right

Making smart choices with your diet can help you avoid a decrease in energy. Opt for foods with a low glycemic index as those sugars are absorbed more slowly. Proteins and fats have glycemic indexes that are close to zero, and foods with a low one include whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts and healthy oils. Foods that are high in carbohydrates have the highest glycemic indexes in general.

by stephanie wallace by stephanie wallace

We’re all familiar with the mid-afternoon slump, that feeling of exhaustion that makes you just want to nap at your desk. Thankfully, there are many easily implementable ways to fight fatigue and give yourself a natural energy boost—no coffee needed!

Drink Water

Dehydration can impact your mood, energy levels and other aspects of your health. A small study found that in athletes, acute dehydration correlated with increased perception of fatigue and impaired muscular performance. As a general rule, drink water whenever you are thirsty. For older adults, this can be more difficult as they may not always experience thirst when dehydrated. It’s important for them to make a conscious effort to drink more water throughout the day.

don’t smoke

Smoking poses many threats to your health, and a less well-known side effect is insomnia. As a stimulant, nicotine speeds your heart rate, increases blood pressure and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness. Plus, thanks to its addictive nature, it can wake you up with cravings after you finally fall asleep. In the long term, smoking reduces the efficiency of your lungs, reducing the amount of oxygen that travels throughout your body, leaving you feeling even more tired.

Limit Alcohol

Alcohol has a sedative effect, so it will often leave you feeling relaxed but drowsy. Avoid a midafternoon slump by skipping a drink at lunch. If you want to have energy in the evening, consider skipping that after-work happy hour as well. The best time to drink is when you want to wind down and don’t mind having your energy lower. However, still make sure to drink in moderation and don’t do so too close to bedtime. Alcohol is a diuretic, so drinking before going to sleep could make you wake up in the night to use the bathroom.

Sleep Less

If you are tired, shouldn’t you sleep more? While it may seem counterintuitive, the opposite might actually be true. According to Harvard Medical School, it’s important to determine how much sleep you actually need. This can cut down on time you spend in bed not sleeping and promotes more restful sleep in the long run. To determine how much sleep you need, try just sleeping for four hours. Add another 15 to 30 minutes of sleep the next night, and continue to process on successive nights for as long as you’re sleeping soundly through the entire night.

Try Acupuncture

Many people report feeling energized after acupuncture treatment. In traditional Chinese medicine, the practice is believed to rebalance your body’s energy, known as chi or qi, by inserting needles into specific places. From a Western perspective, acupuncture is thought to simulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This triggers the body’s natural healing response, promoting physical and emotional well-being. It is often used to treat chronic pain, such as from arthritis, in combination with more conventional therapies, but it also is thought to benefit people suffering from anxiety, depression and insomnia.

SOURCES: MAYO

Get Social

Connecting with others can have big benefits for your energy levels. Isolation can lead to tiredness and exacerbate mental health concerns, such as anxiety and depression. Research has indicated that social support plays an important role in improving health, especially as we age. For a boost of energy, try organizing events with friends or family or start a new activity like a club, class or volunteering. & from the agents »