Top 3 Sleep strategies for more energy

Yes, we’ve heard that sleep is supposed to make you lose weight…whatever…not if you fall asleep next to an empty bag of Cooler Ranch Doritos and a can of coke! However, assuming you are eating right and exercising regularly, 7-8 hours of sleep a night does keep you rested and alert. Here are 3 strategies for getting the Zzzz’s you need…

1. Hitting the shower or taking a bath before you go to sleep can help you get a deeper, more restful sleep.

2. Power naps are a great energy booster…as long as you don’t nap longer than an hour. For me, 20 minutes is just right.

3.  Don’t try to make up for lost sleep on the weekends…doesn’t do you any good. You might even be doing yourself more harm by getting your sleep rhythms all out of whack.

Top 3 food strategies for more energy…

OK, you may have read this before but this list is from the November 2006 issue of Health magazine. Maybe there’s something new here…

 Eat Smart…

1..Eat 5 or 6 small meals a day. The theory is that it gives you the constant fuel you need to keep blood sugar levels steady.  Watch the type of mini-meal you have. Low calorie and low fat, of course. Fiber helps, like an apple and some almonds or whole grain crackers and low fat cheese. Notice the protein complex carb combo?

2. Increase your  Vitamin B budget. It converts the food you eat into energy.  How about lean beef, pork, poultry or fish. Also, bananas, nuts, whole grains and seeds. Multi-vitamins help although food is better because your body can only absorb 10% of the vitmains and minerals in a traditional pill or capsule. A liquid vitamin and mineral supplement like Vibe is also a better choice since it is almost completely absorbed by your body.

3.Eat apples, pears or oranges .  These fruits combine the vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and fiber that you really need for more energy.