TO LIFE

GET ENERGIZEDWITH HEALTHY HABITS

zzz

TURN UP YOUR ENERGY WITH HEALTHY AND NATURAL CHOICES

If you’re stuck feeling sluggish and overly tired, read on for some simple yet effective ways to boost your overall energy level. Lots of us have a lot going on and staying busy can certainly be draining. But sometimes, we feel tired and tapped out no matter what our activity level or schedule looks like. Fight that fatigue with these healthy and natural steps to re-energize yourself. INTENTIONAL HABITS TO TRY

DO THIS:

Exercise. It may sound odd, but when you’re tired, pushing yourself to get up and get active instead of staying sedentary can actually boost your energy (and your mood). Something as simple as a brisk walk around the block can give you energy for hours afterward.

Eat right. You definitely need fuel for energy, but the wrong foods won’t drive you, they’ll put on the brakes. Sugar will give you a shortlived burst of energy, but that’s usually followed by a big crash into slumpville. Opt for low-glycemic index foods that keep your blood sugar balanced and provide sustained energy instead of highs and lows. Examples are high-fiber veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and nuts. Adding more magnesium to your diet can also help improve energy levels.

Drink more water. Staying properly hydrated ensures every system in your body is running at top form. If you’re low on water, fatigue will quickly set in.

Get enough sleep. Don’t think you can skimp on sleep and still have stamina. Good sleep and the right amount of it is the foundation of vitality. Most people need around seven hours a night, but this can vary from person to person. Do an amateur sleep study at home by sleeping five, six, seven and eight hours over a series of nights and keeping a journal to see which days you felt at your best.

Learn how to manage stress. Stress is the enemy of energy, consuming massive amounts of it. Plus, it hinders your ability to generate more energy by putting anxious thoughts on an overdrive loop, making it hard to “switch off,” which, in turn, makes it difficult to get the rest—either in sleep or with relaxed and mindful moments during waking hours—you need to get and stay energized.

Explore ways to reduce stress to see which work for you. Talk to a friend. Try relaxation techniques like meditation, journaling and prayer. Getting the Right Zzzs

How well you’re sleeping is as important as the amount of sleep you get. Avoid the use of your phone or other tech devices right before you go to bed or while you’re trying to wind down. The light emitted has been proven to have negative effects on sleep quality.

Still Running on Low ?

If you’ve instituted most of these lifestyle edits, and your energy remains low, consider a check up. Ask your doctor to look for conditions like anemia or a thyroid issue. DRAINING HABITS TO AVOID

STOP THIS:

Taking on too much. The quickest way to get worn down and worn out is to overwork, over-commit and put so much on your plate that you simply don’t have the capacity to do it all without sacrificing time to sleep enough, get some exercise and eat well. Smoking. We all know by now that smoking is detrimental to health in multiple ways, but it can really sap your energy. Smoking can reduce the efficiency of your lungs, meaning less oxygen in your blood, and that can make you feel constantly tired. Overloading on caffeine. A cup of coffee in the morning is a fine way to give yourself a little jumpstart, but too much caffeine intake or getting it too late in the day can disrupt your sleep, ensuring you’ll be tired the next day. Drinking in excess. Just like caffeine, alcohol can mess with your sleep cycle, impairing your ability to get a full, restful night’s sleep. So cut down on your drinking if you’re not sleeping well.