“Faster, bigger, more and more.” This ethos of our business life is grounded in a totally misguided notion – the assumption that, as humans, we operate in a linear and sustainable fashion. “The reality is that we are not designed to run like a computer – continuously at high speed for long periods of time. Humans are not linear,” explain Jim Loer and Tony Shwartz in The Power of Full Engagement. 
Our bodies and our brains function rhythmically. The beating of our hearts, our respiration, muscles, cellular function, and most importantly mental concentration are pulse-like and alternate through states of contraction and expansion. Brief periods of recovery and restoration are essential for energy boosting and peak performance. The human battery must be recharged. Annual leave is great, so too are the weekends. However, the need for renewal is far more immediate and is in fact a daily prerequisite. A new and growing body of scientific research demonstrates that strategic ‘turbo-charging’ boosts productivity, mental stamina, job performance and energy. Improve your workouts and nutrition, take short power naps, sleep better, and boost your power with the most suitable Andorra Life products. Here are the five best ways to turbo charge your daily energy:
1. MAKE SLEEP YOUR #1 PRIORITY
Sleep is undoubtedly the most powerful restorative tool we have at our disposal. In reality, even small amounts of sleep deprivation undermine our body’s capacity for repair. Compelling research demonstrates the effects of good quality sleep on cellular healing and optimal cognitive function. We have accepted the conventional wisdom that an hour of less sleep allows an hour more productive time. This couldn’t be farther from the scientific truth. Over 95% of us require at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night for optimal energy.
2. MANAGE ENERGY RATHER THAN TIME
Time is finite, but energy – the capacity to do work – can be expanded and regularly renewed. Energy is the fundamental currency of high performance and yet we misuse it badly. We eat highly processed, refined foods, and high sugar instead of consuming nourishing super-foods. We sit for long periods of time, causing stasis of our blood flow, and poor oxygenation of our body and brain. Not much positive comes from putting in extra time without devoting high quality focused energy.
3. GET STRESSED
Paradoxically stress is not the enemy. Rather, it is the key to growth. Most stress is actually good for us. For a muscle to grow, it must experience stress, as can be seen when we lift weights. We build ‘muscle’ at many levels. What applies to the physical body applies equally to the brain and other energies. We build emotional, spiritual and mental energy in much same way we build physical capacity. Focus in the most absorbed way possible when you are working, and then take a break at least every 90 minutes to refuel your energy reservoir. The problem is that when we push too hard for too long, our energy tips us over the edge into damaging and destructive stress. Don’t forget to take your AndoraLife Stress formula containing Phosphatidylserine. This powerful ingredient plays a key role in the maintenance of cellular function – especially in the brain. Phosphatidylserine has a positive effect on our longevity, memory and response to stress.
4. INTERRUPT YOUR DAY
It’s not how long you take off that matters most, but how skillfully you use these very short periods of renewal. The simplest way to recharge energy is by breathing. You can dramatically lower your heart rate, your blood pressure, and your muscle tension in as little as thirty seconds. Break up prolonged sitting times with short bursts of activity. This simple act provides an opportunity to take a breath and push your ‘pause’ button for a few moments. Moreover, it is a highly effective way to stimulate your muscle and nerve functions, increasing the flow of blood throughout your body and brain. Use the stairs whenever possible. Take a brisk walk during your lunch break, or at least eat lunch away from your desk. And make sure to power up with energizing CoQ-Nol to prevent your energy slumps. CoQ Nol contains Coenzyme Q-10 in the form of ubiquinol – a vitamin-like substance required for the proper function of many organs and chemical reactions in the body. Without sufficient ubiquinol, the body’s cellular energy is depleted, and we may become more susceptible to fatigue. Additionally, our body loses its ability to create the necessary substances that are vital for cellular repair.
5. TURBO CHARGE YOUR ADRENALINE…THEN SWITCH IT OFF
There is no better way to recharge your energy than by temporarily pumping up adrenaline levels. Use your lunch break to get to the gym, go for a run, or take a brisk walk out of the office. The workout followed by the post-exercise switch-off of adrenaline and facilitates energy recovery and renewal before you get back to your desk. Any type of exercise that you do at any time is beneficial. Cardio, strength training, and flexibility are all valuable. Although moderate intensity training is good enough, in recent years HIIT, or High-Intensity Interval Training, has been shown to significantly enhance energy sustainability. Remember to take your Men’s Complete or Women’s Complete as your nutritional insurance!