Multiple Sclerosis can drain your energy, especially in the summer when the sun and heat can send your symptoms into overdrive. But there are ways to give yourself an extra jolt during the day. Try out these helpful tips when the day seems to be at its longest to boost your energy.
1. Stay Cool
The rule of the summer is “Stay Cool,” not only to reduce your symptom outbreaks but also to keep your energy levels normal and healthy. Overheating can cause exhaustion, but cooling yourself down quickly can revive you and boost your energy. Drink cold water or slip into a cool shower for a quick rinse to cool down. Keep cooling packs handy and in your freezer to pull out and place on the back of your neck when you feel yourself overheating.
2. Deep Breaths
When you feel yourself falling asleep at your desk or in the middle of your daily tasks, take a few moments to have a meditative breathing session. Start out by closing your and taking one to two deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, and repeating the breathing until you feel your heart rate slow. This will bring more oxygen into your blood stream which will boost your energy.
3. Take a Walk
After meditative breathing, getting up and walking around will get all that fresh oxygen moving through your body. Take a quick walk around the office or across your living room for a minute, swing your arms, life your legs high, and turn your head back and forth. This will get the blood moving through your muscles, and improving your circulation like this is one of the quickest ways to burst your energy.
4. Change Your Scenery
Taking a walk will jumpstart your circulation, and taking the time to change your scenery will also give you an extra boost. Looking at your computer screen all day can make you feel bored, which can lead to those sluggish moods, so give your eyes something new to absorb.
Refresh your mindset by looking at scenes or images that make you happy, or take a walk through a part of your office that you enjoy. That smile on your face means that your brain is releasing endorphins, which increase your mood as well as your energy.
5. Energizing Snacks
Low blood sugar can also be to blame for your low energy levels. Having a healthy snack after lunch but before dinner can help boost your sugar and your energy. Pick something with a hefty amount of proteins and carbs to keep energy sky high. Preparing easy snacks, like sliced veggies with hummus, are fast and healthy options that will boost your energy without taking too much time out of your afternoon to prepare.
6. Scalp Massage
Stimulating your head with a scalp massager or a hair brush can boost your energy enough to get you through the longest part of the afternoon, and the rhythmic motion of brushing your hair is proven to relax the body and reduce stress. Sometimes, the exhausted feeling caused by your symptoms can lead to stress when you start thinking about all of the things you have to get done in a day. However, if you take the time to relax and give your scalp a little massage, you’ll notice a huge boost in your energy.
7. Exercise
When you’re suffering from MS, keeping a regular exercise routine will increase your energy. In fact, you’ll notice a regular increase in your energy on a daily basis. Working out will keep your metabolism high, which in turn will maintain your energy levels throughout the day, especially if you do your workouts in the morning.
Start with a light, low-impact routine until you know how your body and your symptoms will respond to regular exercise, and talk with your doctor and physical therapist to work out a routine that works best for you.
8. Supplements
Adding a supplement to your energizing routine can give you that extra push you need to fight off symptoms and get your energy back on track. Powerful antioxidants, like MitoQ, add another layer of protection to your body by repairing damaged neurons and reducing inflammation. With your symptoms diminished, you’ll get that boost of energy you need to make it through the work week.
Conclusion
Remember to consult with your doctor before you make any dietary changes, and always confirm supplements and exercise routines with your physician and physical therapist.