{photograph by jennifer causey}
Sometimes I'll suddenly hit that wall and feel completely tapped of all energy. The foggy feeling comes on as heavy as my 10-ton tote bag and is so hard to shake off — on a long subway ride, in the middle of a project, and yes, most Monday mornings. I've just started to clue in to the mystery of the low-energy funk to find how to recharge. Here are ideas inspired by energizing boosters that work for me. I've found it's one of the more empowering feelings to be the master of your own energy.
Skipping breakfast is one of the easiest ways for me to throw a good morning out the window. If I don't get food in me within an hour or two of waking up, I'm truly off-kilter the entire day. In the winter, I crave warm breakfasts like oatmeal with brown sugar and honey. But come June, it's yogurt with fresh fruits and granola that call to me. Whatever is your breakfast calling, I recommend a look at Jennifer Causey's books on the art of breakfast (the photograph above is a peek from her book, Simply Breakfast, More Please.) The books pair her gorgeous photography with the simple wonder of breakfast — and breakfast is my morning energy pill.
It's no surprise that summer comes with a built-in source of vitamin D, optimism, and energy: the sun. And this print I found on 20 x200 called 87 Suns from Flickr points to how we all need the sun in our life. The artist, Penelope Umbrico, was researching most-photographed subjects on Flickr and found 4,786,139 hits for "sunset." The sun gets universal love, since all you have to do is step outside and you feel instantly refreshed.
The dark colors I gravitate toward in the winter — rich plums, chocolate browns, and deep reds — feel like a drag in the summer. Fresh, bright colors tap into my happy meter and kick out the blahs. I love this room I spotted on From the Right Bank to the Left Coast, as it pairs energizing greens + yellows with uncluttered space. I definitely long to be lighter on "stuff" in the summer, too.
A cold, refreshing drink (that comes with a sweet kick) often wakes me out of a daze. Nothing better than a glass of homemade lemonade.
{photograph by chotda}
Yoga is many things to me, but one amazing benefit is definitely the way the practice transforms my energy. I always feel recharged after a sweaty vinyasa class. I highly recommend going upside down, too. Five minutes in shoulder stand changes my energy for the day.
{photograph by apolaine}
When I get overwhelmed with too much to do (happens often!), spending a few minutes to jot down a checklist helps prevent an energy crash (coinciding with a Jen freakout.) This adorable memory pad is by Cathy Michaels Design.
A nice shower can give you a second wind when you're utterly exhausted (was reminded of that during our move.) It's very ungreen of me, but I often take two showers a day in the heat of the summer to start fresh. What I'd really love to have is an outdoor shower — talk about an invigorating way to start the day. {the cool shower above was found on designing your dream home}
Facing something I've been putting off — because I'm nervous, disorganized, or feeling stuck — is one of the best ways to throw some energy in my step.
p.s. isn't this photograph above fantastic? I'm loving the photography of Jena Ardell — check out her shop.
This time of year, a treat like delicious sugarsnap peas is enough to alter my mood with an instant lift. (If you live in New York, you must try Franny's sugarsnap peas— that appetizer is amazing!)
{photograph by Rob D. Brodman for Sunset}
And then there are the random little somethings that give me a boost. I always feel energized when I receive a card in the mail from a friend. And I get a little adrenaline kick when I put a card or care package in the mail, knowing it's going to brighten a friend's day. I love this wall of summer that Andrea created. It makes me want to create a postcard swap — so everyone gets a little bit of love in the mail. Dreaming up fun plans is another easy way to get out of a funk.
{photograph by girlhula}
