7x how to get more energy
From former model to nutrition consultant, Michelle den Hollander flew around the world from shoot to show, but also experienced the struggles of having the ‘right’ sizes. This brought her to where she is now, and on Amayzine she gives tips.
Everyone hopes for better numbers and relaxations, but even at the last press conference, it wasn't in the cards. This means we find ourselves in a bit of a slump again. Understandable, as it takes a long time and that demands quite a bit. I don't interfere with measures, but I can give you tips for more energy. An unhealthier lifestyle such as eating poorly, moving less due to working from home, a higher workload, and the changing weather certainly doesn't help.
It's understandable, gyms are (partially) closed, and because we feel down, we seek comfort food and may be working longer hours than ever. Private and work life overlap. Kids are also frequently home because the class has to quarantine. Many people are stressed about income, and the sun is hardly showing itself.
Where do you get energy from then? Read along:
- Healthy eating
- Enough movement
- Sports
- Mental peace and relaxation
- Love
- Rhythm
- Fresh air and sunlight
Healthy eating
Unhealthy food, such as food with refined sugars, unhealthy fats, and alcohol, doesn't give you energy but actually drains energy. Meanwhile, healthy food can give you a lot of energy. Think of plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grain products, proteins, and good fats. They give you an energy boost. So, look for tasty and healthy recipes and dive into the kitchen. This way, you also have a fun activity for the weekend.
Enough movement
Make sure you move for at least half an hour every day, so go for a walk, bike ride, or find movement in the house when the weather is bad. And make some big movements occasionally while working behind the laptop to get your blood flowing better.
Sports
You also get energy from exercising. It might be hard to motivate yourself, but afterwards, you feel much better. Exercising every day isn't necessary, so alternate it with a nice walk on days you don't exercise. Both provide mental peace.
Think of each other, send your dear friends a card, call your brother/sister, bring some groceries to the elderly in your family, and surprise your neighbor who is home alone with a bouquet of flowers. Really, you gain more energy from that too.
Mental peace and relaxation
It's just as important as being active. Stress is one of the biggest culprits in a healthy lifestyle, so if you have too little relaxation and no mental peace, things will go wrong. My tip: schedule a little vacation moment for yourself every day. Even if it's just 15 minutes to listen to your favorite music or read a chapter from your book. Treating yourself to a beauty treatment or massage or taking a nice bath is of course even better.
Love
Physical contact outside your family is not there right now. That pat on the back or hug is something you miss more than ever. But hopefully, it doesn't stop you from continuing to give (and receive) compliments and enjoying the little moments you can share with your friends and family. Keep looking out for each other, send a little something now and then to let that person know you're thinking of them. Make a meal for the neighbor who lives alone and see who you can help with running an errand. That too is love.
Rhythm
Rhythm, peace, and regularity, aren't those the guidelines with which you can best raise your children? But why do we often forget that ourselves? Do we skip snacks or sometimes even a meal, or does it occur to us at two o'clock in the afternoon that we really need to have lunch and then do it at three o'clock behind the laptop (guilty!). We only walk when it suits us, we only take a break when we really have nothing else to do, and we regularly go to bed too late. In short, the day and night rhythm are quickly disrupted. So try to get a bit more structure in your day.
Fresh air and sunlight
I know, the weather isn't always inviting, but believe me: a bit more fresh air does you good. Sunlight is even better. Besides the fact that it does a lot of good for your mental health, you also produce a bit more vitamin D. We don't have the luxury of choosing, so just step outside every day.
The glass is not half empty but half full. Stay positive and look at the possibilities that are there to gain a bit more energy.
Every two weeks, Michelle shares tips on Amayzine about healthy living, know-how about healthy eating, and her own story. Already curious? Read up on Michelle’s Good Food.
