The Energy Drink Blog

Antioxidants are nutrients naturally found in the foods we eat. They offer protection to our cells from oxidative damage. They also slow the aging process and prevent various illnesses and diseases. Some of the most common health problems associated with oxidative damage can be cancer, heart disease, eye problems, or diabetes. This is why eating a diet loaded in antioxidants is so essential. Although there are various sources of food that contain them, they can also be found in supplement form as well. Here are some common antioxidants found in the foods we eat.

Vitamin A is found in many orange or brightly colored vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, peaches, squash, tomatoes, apricots, kale, or broccoli as well as a variety of sources of protein. These sources contain what is known as beta-carotene which is a nutrient that converts to vitamin A as the body needs it. Vitamin A is beneficial for eye health, skin, cancer prevention, strong bone health, and protection from bacterial and viral infections. Since beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, you should try to get it from your diet first because it is a fat soluble vitamin is not excreted daily.

Vitamin C is commonly found in all citrus fruits, leafy greens, strawberries, and tomatoes. It is an antioxidant that can prevent and protect the body from illness, increase immunity and energy, protect cells from cancer, and stimulate collagen production. Vitamin C can also be supplemented daily because it is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body. The recommended daily requirement can range from 500-2000mg depending on individual needs.

Vitamin E is generally found in most nuts, various greens, and fruits such as kiwis or mangos. It is vital for protecting the skin from any kind of ultra violet light or skin damage. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and stretch marks when applied topically. When taken internally it can help prevent muscle cramping, asthma, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, prostate, and breast cancer. A general recommended daily dose is 200-400mcg in supplement form deriving from a natural source. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin so depending on how much you get from your diet can also determine how much to supplement.

Selenium is a trace mineral that is commonly known for protecting against various cancers. It can be found in nuts and almost all animal proteins. The recommended daily intake is about 200mcg and can be taken in supplement form.

Although antioxidants may be supplemented, it is best to attain them from a diet with a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and protein to gain the benefits of their protection.

Staying focused at work can be difficult especially when your mind wants to go in every possible direction from taking care of the family, to running errands, or deciding what to make for dinner.  So how do you stay on track and accomplish what you need to in the office and put everything else on hold until the end of the day? This can be hard to do since we are programmed to juggle ten different things at once because we are crunched for time.  The end result is the quality of our work is sacrificed and we become mediocre at many things instead of mastering a skill.  When at work, try to maximize your productivity by keeping your focus on work related issues only.  If you put this into practice you become focused on your job and it becomes the center of attention while you are on the clock.  By following some simple guidelines you will accomplish more and possibly even impress the boss a little more.

First thing you should do every morning when arriving to your job is plot out your day and make a list of everything you would like to accomplish in order of importance.  This is a great way to stay organized and to finish things in a timely manner.  You will also find that it’s a lot easier to manage your day when it is well thought-out.

Next, try to keep home out of work and vice versa.  By separating the two as much as possible you are focusing on what you are there to do which is accomplish as much as you can during your 8 hour day.  For those of you in an office setting, keep all personal calls out of work until you have a lunch break or until you return home.  This means that if you carry a cell phone, you should turn off the volume and check any messages during appropriate times.  Another tip that will keep you from getting distracted is refraining from checking your personal email account while you work.  This can tie up a lot of time due to the fact that if you are reading and responding to personal emails you are taking the focus off what should be the center of your attention, your job.

 If you are confined to a specific area at work such as a counter or desk, keep your space as neat and organized as possible.  It’s always good to have a notepad and a pen next to the phone so you are always prepared to take messages when the phone rings.  Keep all your messages for the day in a pile and review them when you have down time or at the end of the day so you know which ones take precedence over others.  The same should apply for work emails, answer them according to importance and make sure you check your inbox frequently throughout the day. 

If you find that you are more focused during the beginning part of the day, use this time on things that require more of your attention.  For instance, I like to write most of my articles during the morning and afternoon because I’m more alert and focused on the topics I want to talk about.  The later part of the day I spend on smaller tasks such as emails or phone calls. 

Some people enjoy listening to music while they work because it helps to keep them more alert.  This can be ok as long as it is on a low setting and does not disrupt other co- workers.  Another thing to keep in mind with music in the office is that certain types can be too harsh while others can put you to sleep.  Find something that is easy on the ears for everyone.

If you are given a break at work, take it.  Use this as personal time for yourself, you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated when you return for the second part of your day.   It also makes the day go by quicker when you leave and come back versus sitting at your desk and eating. 

Lastly, keep yourself hydrated properly with enough fluid.  Keep a bottle of water next to you and refill it whenever it’s empty.  Drinking water helps give you energy and keeps you focused.  I’ve noticed that many people like to drink energy drinks or coffee during the day because it helps with mental energy as well as concentration.  Be careful though because consuming large amounts of caffeine can dehydrate you and then make you tired after it wears off.  A new energy drink to the market called Skinny Gazelle would be an excellent choice over other energy drinks or coffee.  It gives the body a great boost without the use of harsh stimulants and helps maintain a steady energy and focus for an entire work day. 

Sometimes we overload ourselves to the point that we actually don’t accomplish what we set out to do.  Keep your focus on the things that pertain to your job while at work and keep your mind free of things that pertain to work while at home.  This helps to create better focus and a healthy balance between your job and your personal life.

What is your state of mind at this very moment?  Are you happy because you just got a promotion at work and everything seems to be going right in your life or do you stress out about everything under the sun and have “the glass is half empty”, kind of attitude?  It’s very apparent that if you surround yourself with negative thinking or behavior it begins to affect you life in an unhealthy way.  There are motivational speakers who dedicate their lives preaching positive thinking and positive living and how it can transform your life in ways you never thought possible.  Whoever thought stinkin thinkin could shorten your life? Well it can.   From a health standpoint of view if you are depressed, stressed, or down in the dumps your body secretes stress related hormones which are ok on an infrequent basis.  However, if the body releases these hormones regularly they can have long term health affects one of the most common being heart disease.  So how can you turn your sabotaging thought process into an optimistic one to achieve a sense of well being?  In a way you have to retrain your brain to have a positive point of view on things but with time and practice it will become second nature just as your pessimistic disposition once was.

First, start to pay attention to how you respond to others or what you are thinking internally.  If you actually listen to what you say you may be astonished at what comes out of your mouth.  What I often hear people ask for no apparent reason is “what’s wrong”? If you are one of those people that have to ask this every time you see some one, try rephrasing this to, “how are you” or “how was your day”?  By constantly asking what’s wrong you are assuming something is and that it’s impossible for someone to have a pleasant day.  Most of the time,  I find people say this because they have so much turmoil in their own life so they wonder how anyone else can have a positive attitude if they can’t.  The other mistake that constant downers make is pointing the finger at people who are genuinely happy or in a good mood.  Since when is it a crime to turn you thought process into a good one?  You will find that positive behavior is contagious and that you attract what you exude.  Over all you become healthier mentally.

Give yourself the opportunity to be carefree sometimes and have a good laugh or two it can help cheer others up as well.  Try to help others whenever you can, this takes the focus off yourself and your apathetic state of mind.  You will find that when you lend a helping hand it’s actually very rewarding inside.

Don’t always think the grass is greener on the other side and play the victim role.  Try looking at things from someone else’s perspective or someone less unfortunate as yourself.  I guarantee you will always find that things could be a lot worse.  Begin to count your blessings and be thankful for what you do have.  When you do, you begin to discover that you actually have a lot more than you think and doors almost miraculously begin to open.

Decide from the moment you wake up before your feet hit the floor that you are going to have a great day, commit to it and watch what happens.  This does not mean that you won’t come in contact with negative people or difficult situations it just means that you will do what you can to turn the situation or conversation around if things start heading south.  The more you do this each day you will see that for every pessimistic encounter you face there is always a positive way to counter.

Sleep is essential for many things such as energy, and reducing stress and anxiety.  Without it, our mental, emotional, and physical status suffers.  Take the course of action that’s right for you to ensure that you get a good nights rest by winding down an hour or two before you hit the pillow.   Listen to soft music, or use a natural sleep aide if you need to.

Life isn’t always a box of chocolates but it can certainly be a pleasant one if you truly desire it to be.  Increase your overall well being and your longevity by practicing a positive thought process every day.