Few things are more refreshing than drinking a glass of ice cold water with a few slices of lemon, mint, and cucumber floating around in it. It's an easy way to make that plain glass of water taste better, and to encourage you to hydrate more, which in turn will help you de-bloat quickly, get rid of eye puffiness, reduce your appetite, and leaving feeling totally revitalized. To prepare, simply fill up an attractive pitcher or beverage dispenser and drop in one sliced cucumber, 1 sliced lemon, and a few sprigs of fresh mint. Keep this in the fridge at home or in your office, and make a goal to empty it by the end of the day. (Added bonus? Cucumber, lemon, and mint all contain properties that will also help reduce bloat and flatten your belly.)
2. Go to Sleep 20 Minutes Earlier Tonight
It may not seem like a lot at the end of a harried day, but those extra 20 minutes of sleep will absolutely make you feel healthier and more energized tomorrow morning, and throughout your day. Even if you can't get to sleep quickly, the mere act of laying quietly in a darkened room will help relax your mind and help you sleep deeper.
3. Cross Something Quick Off Your To-Do List
Been meaning to schedule a dentist appointment? Have a few pairs of shoes you need to take in to get the heel tips replaced? Need to request a copy of an old invoice you lost? We all have a few nagging things on our to-do list that we put off for no real reason in particular (I, admittedly, have like 20 of these things), but taking the time to just do ONE of them, will help ease up the stress and perhaps even free up a little mental space so you can move forward and tackle the rest.
4. Take a Walk Around the Block
Working inside all day can make you feel stuffy, tired, bored, and even sore. A bit of exercise can definitely help, but there is no need to go for anything complicated that involves you changing clothing, driving to the gym, or worrying about making it back in time. Just grab your coat, say you'll be right back, and take a walk around the block, your building, or even just the parking lot. It's just a couple minutes, but it will refresh you and keep you going for the rest of the day. Even better? Get a coworker to come along.
5. Get Rid of Something You Don't Love
Physical clutter has a sneaky way of weighing down on us without even realizing it. There is a definite negative energy that arises when you find yourself surrounded by objects that you don't need or like. When I need a quick mental burst, the surest way is to pick a drawer or closet or cabinet or shelf, and just toss something. Pull out a sweater to donate, throw out a pile of old Christmas cards, or even take down a painting you never really enjoyed that much. Don't worry about how much it cost or if it was a gift--if you aren't crazy about it, just ditch it. A few weeks ago, I threw out everything that was on my refrigerator door--promotional magnets, store receipts, postcards, etc. I cleared off the entire door and was AMAZED by how much fresher and lighter everything suddenly felt.
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