The afternoon rolls around, and you don’t have time for that coffee break pick me up. So instead, head to the office kitchen, and put your head in the freezer!

Seriously! It’s a tip from a neuroscientist at the University of California who claims that avoiding caffeine later in the day can keep you up at night, so instead, sticking your head in the freezer will actually give you an immediate boost of energy, and it won’t screw up your sleep schedule.

It actually works – there’s scientific evidence that the shock of cold will activate your arousal system.

There are other more sensible ways to do it as well – going on a quick walk, or focusing on something non-work related for ten minutes will all help – but the freezer method will work fastest, and best when your A/C fails!

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Food is important to keep your body fueled, and eating shortly after a workout is important to building muscle.

But what about eating before a workout? While it’s not wise to work out on an empty stomach, it’s even worse if you eat fried food before it!

Fried foods – any kind – is the worst food to eat before a workout as it’ll leave you feeling heavy and weighed down before you’ve begun any exercise. And it’s worse if you don’t exercise – studies show eating too much fried food increases the risk of cardiovascular issues, like heart disease.

The best thing to eat pre-workout is a complex carbohydrate and lean protein a few hours before any form of exercise – something like chicken, brown rice, and veggies – or a sandwich with lean meats and cheese and fruit.

If you had a big lunch, and want something smaller, granola bars, string cheese, or whole-grain bread with peanut butter are all great options.

Keep your body fueled properly, and you’ll have the energy for a great workout!

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