57 woman this month | December 2011 | Whilst you sleep Identify the noises and irritations that wake you up during the night so that your sleep is less disturbed, providing you with the energy you need. Circulate the air By leaving your window and door open just a few inches, the fresh air from outside will be circulated through your bedroom all night. Stagnant air can cause headaches and an increased room temperature, causing you to wake out of discomfort. Shut out noise Noises are the most obvious disturbances to sleep. A loud noise can wake you from even the deepest slumber in the middle of the night in such a way that can leave you stunned and breathless — not good for your heart! Put your phone on silent and pop in some ear plugs if you live near a noisy, busy road. When you wake Avoid caffeine as your energy will burn out within two to three hours and you will feel the need to take your next dose. Instead, try out these more holistic approaches, which won’t damage your body or leave you with a raging headache. Drink water A glass of water will instantly kick-start your metabolism and awakens your digestion system, prompting you to eat something. The food you eat will then pump your body with the energy you require to get going. Do some exercise A spot of exercise before your day begins will give your body a chance to wake up as oxygen will course through the body. Take a stroll, hit the gym for half an hour or best of all — if you can bear the cold [BOLD] dive into the pool and swim some lengths. The immediacy of the temperature change will instantly perk you up! Wash your sleepiness away It is easy to roll out of bed, brush your teeth and head straight out, but having a quick shower will awaken all of your nerves, senses and get the blood flowing so you are naturally more awake. If you are brave, turn down the temperature control. The colder the water is the more awake you will be. Snack on low-carb foods Certain types of food are great energy boosters. Fruits such as grapefruit, oranges and apples are ideal. Steer clear of meats, breads and dairy products as they are all “heavy’ foods and will leave you feeling lethargic. Stretch your mind Laughing, socialising and working are all activities which will stimulate your mind and wake up your brain. Working will keep your mind busy, forcing it to keep whirring away and subsequently keeping you awake. Get some fresh air Just like you should keep a window open when driving, it’s a good practice in your home, office or wherever you need energy. The circulation of the fresh air will rouse your senses and if the air is cold you will also feel far more revived.
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