Fall is here.  The kids are going back to school.  The leaves are changing beautiful colors, pumpkins are being picked, and the winter chill is creeping in.  This change is season makes it harder and harder to stay energized throughout the day, and nearly impossible to leave the warm cocoon of down comforters to get up and start your day.  Try these 7 tips to get on track this Fall and keep your energy up.

Stretch!

Don’t just jump out of bed and hit the snooze, or even scramble for that first cup of coffee. Give your body time to stretch before moving. Stretching sends messages to all your moving parts that you are ready to begin the day. It not only helps your muscles wake up, it brings blood to the muscle tissues before demanding them to perform, think of it as a balanced breakfast of sorts for your muscles. A warmed up muscle will not only have more energy, it will be less likely to experience injury. Stretching is also a good way to revitalize your body, after sitting in front of a computer or desk for long periods of time.

Cold shower

Cold hip bath or deep plunge. Good Morning World! Nothing like a cold shower to get you going. This remedy as old as yoga and can be just as effective to boost your system. Some macrobiotics claim it helps create an alkaline reaction for over acidic conditions.  If this seems about as appealing as wearing your bikini in a snowstorm, take your normal hot shower and at the end turn the water to a mildly cold temperature.  This change will pleasantly wake you up.

Break up your day with an exercise break.

If you are one of the lucky ones who work close enough to an elements for women™ club, using your lunch break as an exercise break can boost your energy for the rest of the day. Ask your personal lifestyle coach about which exercises would be best tailored for your midday exercise break.  If your lunch hour is more of a quick lunch break, take a walk.  Even a 15 min walk will rejuvenate your body and keep the energizing blood flowing  through your body.  Can't leave your desk?  Try these deskercizes !

Tryptophan

Research has shown that this amino acid formally understood as a sleeping aid (it’s the thing in your thanksgiving turkey that makes you want to take a nap) can also be used to help wake-up your body’s natural timing if taken in the morning.

Taurine

The secret ingredient in those energy drinks is in there for a reason. Considered a non-essential amino acid because your body can produce it, at times of extreme exertion your body can no longer produce the required amounts of it. A metabolic transmitter it has a known detoxifying effect, can be found in skeletal muscle tissues, but is mostly used by the body in processing fats.  Find it at  AnyVitamins.com .

Sleep! 

Get enough sleep. It seems obvious, but it is always harder than we realize.  Try setting a "bedtime" for yourself and try to stick to it.  Invest in a Tivo .  This way you can wake up refreshed and watch Conan with your morning toast.

Ginkgo tea. 

Drink a cup of Ginkgo tea- think well, and move well.  Gingko Biloba is a herb that can imrpove brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain by imrpoving circulation.  Ginko treats depression, headaches, and can prevent memory loss.  Try Terra Vita Ginko Tea.

Find more ways to keep your energy levels up and motivate yourself in Motivation for Rainy Days.