Want to feel full of the joys of spring? These natural energy boosters will pep you up any time of day.
1 Revitalise your breathing
The way you breathe has a huge impact on your energy. Breathing slowly and deeply maximises oxygen intake, which increases vitality. Deep, rhythmic breathing also harmonises and cleanses your whole system, improving concentration and mental clarity.
What to do:
Try ‘alternate breathing’. Breathe in and close your left nostril with your left thumb.
Breathe out through your right nostril, then inhale through the same nostril.
Close your right nostril with the little finger and ring finger of your left hand, so that both nostrils are closed.
Hold your breath for a few seconds, then release your thumb, breathing out through your left nostril.
Inhale again through your left nostril, then close it with your thumb.
Hold your breath for a few seconds, release your fingers and breathe out through the right nostril, then in again. Repeat eight rounds of this.
2 Tap your thymus
Your thymus is located in the upper chest, behind the sternum and about 7cm beneath the throat. It regulates your body’s immune system by secreting ‘defense hormones’ (lymphocytes). When your immune system is strong, you have more energy. Tapping the thymus gland is common practice in China, where many people do it first thing in the morning, often in a park before work. Tapping this point also reduces stress and anxiety.
What to do:
Stand or sit upright. Breathing slowly and deeply, with your fingertips or fist, tap on the thymus (sternum) for 60 seconds. Do it several times a day for an instant pick-me-up.
3 Massage your ears
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are more than 100 acupuncture points in the ear, representing different organs and parts of the body. For example, the earlobe represents the head, while the edge of the ear is your spine. By massaging your ears, you stimulate different acupoints and activate your vital energy.
What to do:
Massage both ears at the same time for 1- 2 minutes. Starting with your earlobes, knead and rub over the whole surface of your ears as firmly as possible, using your thumbs, index and middle fingers. To finish, fold each ear in half in the middle, then pull each earlobe down, and finally twist your ears one way then the other.
4 Comb your hair
Combing your hair stimulates numerous acupuncture points on your scalp. This gets the energy (qi) flowing through your body, clearing stagnation and stimulating the circulation. This has an energising effect on the mind and body.
What to do:
Using both hands, ‘comb’ your entire scalp with your fingernails. Work your way from your hairline, over your head and down the back of your neck. Comb in ‘lines’ so you cover the whole head. Repeat nine times.
