6 Quick Ways to Beat Fatigue
By: Jessica Cassity
1. Chew Gum: Researchers in the U.K. have determined that popping a piece can cut down on reaction times and increase attention.
2. Drink water: Losing as little as 1.5 percent of your body weight to dehydration can make you feel sleepy and unfocused. Drink enough to keep your urine light yellow-around eight cups a day.
3. Get an air purifier: Danish research revealed that people who worked in environments where they controlled the temperature and air quality showed improved performance and alertness.
4. Take a breath (or four): "Three minutes of measured inhales and exhales will rejuvenate your mind and take the edge off of stressful situations," says Joseph Amanbir Young, an acupuncturist and Kundalini yoga instructor. Sniff in four times to fill your lungs, hold, then exhale through your nose in four parts.
5. Practice acupressure: According to the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, pressing at the point known in Chinese medicine as zu san li can help you feel more alert. Locate a spot four fingers' width below your kneecap on the outer part of the shin bone; apply downward pressure and massage for four or five seconds.
6. Choose peppermint scents: In a British study, the smell of peppermint improved participants' memories and increased their alertness, while a more floral odor had the opposite effect.
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