UNIQA Vital Club

Every-day life holds valuable supplies of energy in store for us. They help us stay balanced and master the challenges of working and private life. It isn’t even hard to gain energy – all you need to do is tap into the sources!

• Decelerate your life

  Take a little time off from your daily rut. Relaxing for just a few minutes will help you recoup energy. When you start to feel stress building up, slow down deliberately. This will take you back to the feel-good pace that is right for you. Our pace of life has an enormous impact on how we feel.

•  The three power generators

 Air, light and beautiful landscape are the best energy sources. Exercise outdoors regularly, at least 2 or 3 times a week. There is a lot of energy out there; all you need to do is get it!

Go for regular walks, or even better, do moderate endurance training. Nordic walking, running or cross-country skiing will improve your general level of performance and your ability to cope with pressure. Your stress tolerance and energy levels will skyrocket!

•  Learn to say “no”

 Being assertive from time to time may be the most difficult but also the most effective way to balance your energy. Say “no” even if this makes you less popular at times.

•  Listen to your gut feelings

 Your inner voice is almost always right. If you constantly let your actions overrule your feelings, this will cause you stress and pressure. When you feel it “in your guts” that a decision is right, it will help you draw a lot of positive energy from it.

•  Relax!

 Asian relaxation techniques such as yoga or Tai Chi will help you leave your every-day worries behind. If the slow, deliberate movements are not your style, try intensive strength training.

No matter what you do: physical exercise will take your mind off things and it will improve your health to boot.

When you feel tired, down-trodden or uninspired, there will usually be a reason for it. Pluck up courage and give energy killers the brush-off!

• Lack of light

 Darker days in autumn and winter may easily cause depressive mood and lack of motivation. When it is dark, the body produces more melatonin, also known as the “sleep hormone”. The best thing to do is to light up your life by going for a walk every day or practicing outdoor sports, if possible.

•  Multi-tasking? No thanks!

 Your fingers move across your laptop keyboard while you make a phone call and listen to the news on the radio? Multi-tasking does not actually save time, it only consumes energy, and it tends to make you muddleheaded and prone to mistakes at work. Allow yourself the luxury of fully concentrating on one thing, at least in your spare time. It is the only way of living for the moment.

•  Stressful relationships

Are there any “takers” in your surroundings? People who never think of anyone but themselves? People who keep asking you for favours or never stop complaining to you about the problems of their daily life? Break away from one-sided relationships. Pessimistic people who steal your time and energy will only make life harder for you.

•  Lose a little weight

 Part with whatever weighs you down– not just in the figurative sense. If you put on a little weight in the winter, lose some to feel good again! Exercise a little more, eat the right food. You will find that this boosts your energy during the day and make sleep better at night.

•  Stress

 Back-to-back appointments, checking and answering all the voice-mail messages, a desk cluttered with piles of papers bearing unloved “To Do” stickers, and you don’t know how to fit in your lunch – that’s the time to do the right thing. Take a break to recharge your batteries – it will bring your energy back.

Power Boosters

• 150 g almonds
• 50 g finely ground wheat
• 50 g finely ground millet
• 100 ml orange juice
• 100 ml apple juice
• 100 g dried fruit, e.g. figs, apricots, raisins
• 75 g coconut rasp
• 1-2 table spoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon and aniseed, 1 pinch of sea salt

 Roast almonds, then grind 75 g and chop 75 g. Bring the wheat and millet fl our to a boil in the fruit juices and allow to simmer for 2 minutes whilst continuing to stir until the mush has thickened.

 Allow the flour to soak thoroughly. Mix almonds, finely chopped dried fruit, 25 g of coconut rasp, lemon juice, spices and salt, add to the fl our mush. Shape into small balls and roll them in the remaining coconut rasp. The “Power Boosters” keep well in the fridge.