Teach Middle East Magazine June 2014 Issue 2 Vol. 1 | Page 36

Health

HEALTHY WAYS TO BOOST YOUR
ENERGY LEVEL
By Aisha Shakti Hakim

“M

iss! Look this!” shouted at
you by dozens of eager
students several times
a day, multiplied by reteaching the same concept at least twice
during the same period, plus managing
nearly nonstop chattiness equals an
exhausted teacher. The love of teaching
usually outweighs these occupational
“hazards”, but by the time they get home
most educators fall out into a coma like nap.
It doesn’t help that many educators
develop the bad habit of snacking or
lunching on unhealthy foods such as chips,
soda or sweets when hungry. Reaching for
fast food instead of nutritious options adds
to your low energy levels and waistline!
Here are 5 effective, fast and safe ways to
boost your energy levels:
Make sure to get at least 7 hours of
sleep every night. Depending on what
time you have to get up, this might
mean going to bed no later than 10pm.
Develop “pre-sleep” rituals that ensure
an uninterrupted and refreshing sleep:
have your last meal at least an hour
before sleep. No fewer than 30 minutes

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June 2014

before bed, disconnect from distractors
like the TV or social media and make
sure your bedroom is comfortably cool,
dark and silent.
Don’t skip breakfast! A fast and healthy
breakfast option that will give you that
much needed morning boost is a fruit
smoothie prepared with a combination
of frozen berries, bananas, greens
(spinach has a mild taste that you
won’t notice) and a handful of ground
flaxseeds for fiber and blood sugar
regulation. Blend with your choice of
filtered water or non-dairy milk (almond,
rice, etc.) and a bit of natural sweetener,
honey or pure maple syrup, if you’d like.
Prepare healthy homemade lunches
and snacks to take to school with
you. The best lunch combination to
boost your energy contains: green
veggies, lean protein and whole grain.
So for instance, a turkey sandwich on
100% whole grain bread topped with
spinach and a smear of whole grain
mustard is a good choice. Or, have a
bowl of whole grain brown rice or quinoa
with stir-fried broccoli and a sliced

After The Bell

boiled egg. Season with curry, cayenne
or other spices. Some excellent energy
boosting snack choices are: bananas,
nuts (especially almonds which are high
in calcium), Greek yogurt or raw carrots
with a natural dip like hummus.
Hang out with positive and entertaining
people. People wh o will make you laugh
and are optimistic. Their vibe will help
elevate your mood and energy.
Move your body! It might seem
contradictory to do if you’re tired, but
even as little as 10 minutes of exercise
a day can boost your energy level. Walk
briskly around the mall, get on your
elliptical machine or make good on your
gym membership.
Choose any combination or all 5 of
these options to improve your energy
levels and increase your quality of life.
Being an educator is a demanding job
so you deserve to treat yourself well by
maintaining your health and vibrancy.