photo courtesy of Health.com
Energy!
Doesn’t just reading that word make you want to get up and go? That’s the effect that it seems to have on me…Whenever I see a headline on the cover of a magazine like, “50 ways to increase your energy,” I am totally intrigued. What could their secrets possibly be? I wonder. How can I stop feeling so tired and sluggish all the time? The majority of us probably wish that we had more energy–or a backup store that we could use during that afternoon slump that seems to hit us every, right after work when we finally have some free time to do something enjoyable; or as soon as our significant other or best friend becomes available to hang out.
I feel as if I have a never-ending “To Do” list…and no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get all of it done. After all of the chores at home are taken care of, where am I supposed to find the motivation to go out and run errands like grocery shopping, taking Mocha to the dog park and making deposits at the bank. I just get so tired, that even the simple thought of all these tasks becomes absolutely exhausting!
Part of feeling tired is most certainly mental. If you think it, then you’re probably going to feel it as well. Sometimes, you just have to push yourself to keep going. And in most cases, that mental push works.
But what about those days that you just feel completely drained? You know…the ones where you plop down on the couch at the end of your 8-hour workday with a microwave dinner and vow not to move until it’s time to hit the hay. The only thing you want is a glass of wine for dessert and maybe a nice romantic comedy to forget about your stress. Maybe I’ll go for a run? you think, and as quickly as that thought enters your mind, it is dismissed. Ha! I definitely don’t have the energy for that.
Eventually, this horrible cycle of negative thinking, followed by lazy action leads to a not-so-great version of you: tired, irritable, overweight and unhappy.
It’s true when they say: YOU are your own worst enemy. And you are your own best source for cultivating extra energy. Just the right combination of positive thinking, a nutritious diet, ample exercise and sufficient sleep time will get you completely recharged. Those of you who hibernate for a few extra hours on your days off aren’t doing yourselves a favor. In fact, I bet you wonder why you are even more inclined to stay in bed after too much sleeping in. Catching zzz’s alone isn’t the solution. Oh, and neither are those 5 cups of coffee you’re drinking every day. (Caffeine dehydrates you and its other costs can certainly outweigh the benefits.)
And even if you finally get the equation right, don’t expect to up your E meter in just a few days–or even a week. These things take time and require a little patience…So take it easy on yourself because stressing out about it won’t make matters any better.
Some tips:
- Assess your sleep patterns. Keep a journal and record how many hours of sleep you get each night. Write down how you feel; your energy levels, moodiness, and take note of what you ate as well. Lack of sleep can induce cravings for fatty and sugary foods in order to temporarily increase energy levels.
- Eat clean. Limit yourself to eating whole foods–nothing processed! Keep up this new eating pattern for a couple of weeks and observe the difference in how you feel.
- Schedule your sweat sessions and stick to it! Regular exercise will help to increase your energy.
- Eat healthy foods that are full of fiber and protein. They will keep you fuller longer and give you steady energy, as opposed to sugar and other simple carbohydrates which will increase your blood sugar to give you a sudden jolt, only to leave you in a slump just a couple of hours later.
For more tips and a 3-week plan, check out this article from Natural Health magazine: http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/health/power-surge
Life is too short to sit around and be an observer. Don’t let your lack of energy stand in the way of you enjoying your life to the fullest! Let your passion ignite you so that you can spend more time creating, playing and making memories that you will look back on in the future.
