9 Energy Boosters By Kristyn Kusek
Feeling sluggish? A few simple tricks can help you feel more awake.
Get an Energy Boost From Trying Something New
Recent research confirms what world travelers and adult-education addicts already know: New experiences give you a rush. “We’ve known that when people do something novel, the brain’s reward chemical, dopamine, is released,” says Gregory Berns, M.D., a neuroscientist at Emory University, in Atlanta, and the author of Satisfaction: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment ($24, amazon.com). But novelty has an added benefit. “What we’ve discovered in the last five years,” Berns says, “is that dopamine is also a motivating chemical that gears us up to do more.” In other words, take a trip or learn Spanish and you may also feel inspired to start a new project at home or work.
Related Content
The Best and Worst Appetizer Choices
Staring down a holiday buffet? Registered dietitian Jean Harvey-Berino ranks 10 popular appetizers from best to worst.
