We’ve all been there.
You’ve been up most of the night tossing and turning (or you only rolled into bed in the wee hours of the morning) then have to force yourself up and out of bed to go to work or do some other thing that requires being alert.
It’s hell.
While it may be tempting to down bucketloads of coffee, if you’ve been having trouble sleeping hitting the caffeine for a 3pm slump isn’t the best idea – you’ll only end up lying awake into the early hours, continuing that awful cycle of rubbish sleep followed by rubbish mornings.
Instead of hitting Starbucks, try an energy-boosting breathing technique from breathing expert (yep, that’s a legit job) Stuart Sandeman.
Presenting the Espresso Breath.
‘This technique is great for finding energy if you’ve had a bad night’s sleep or feeling groggy,’ says Stuart.
How to do the energy-boosting Espresso Breath:
Sitting up tall with a straight spine, first practise panting like a dog with an open mouth to get the rhythm and navel movement. Your chest will remain relaxed and slightly lifted.
Now close the mouth and continue this rhythm through the nostrils. Both inhale and exhale should be equal duration.
Once you have this nailed, it’s time for some arm movement.
‘This exercise hacks your brain activity to stimulate an alert response. It stimulates the solar plexus to generate heat and release natural energy throughout the body so you’ll feel fully charged and ready for action!’
Stuart notes that this technique is fairly advanced, so it’s not one for anyone with breathing issues or anyone who’s pregnant.
If you feel dizzy or light-headed, take a break.
Do you have an energy-boosting technique you fancy sharing? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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