To Increase Energy Naturally…
choose something that you feel good
Check your attitude and your outlook on life. This may sound simple or even silly, but it truly is extremely important. It is probably the most important step in this article! Do you have goals…something to look forward to every morning when you wake? If you do not have clear goals that create something for you to look forward to everyday, as well as a positive attitude, likely your energy level is not as high as you would like. You must remind yourself daily that YOU control your future. If you are in a dead end job or a relationship that you hate, you probably wake up every morning with a poor outlook on life and a bad attitude. No matter what else you do, you probably will not have the energy level you are looking for. So CHANGE SOMETHING. YOU CHOOSE what you do when you wake up every morning, so choose something that you feel good about and your energy will increase in leaps and bounds. Check out my article "How to Improve Your Life" in the resources section below for some great tips!
Eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks EVERYDAY
It is extremely important that you give your body the right fuel it needs. If you don’t put gas in your car it won’t run. If you do not properly fuel your body, you will not have the energy you desire. Eating more frequently increases your metabolism. When you extend the time between your meals, your body slows its metabolic rate and essentially goes into starvation mode. So "fuel" your body frequently. Give your body something to metabolize and you will find that your energy levels will increase significantly.
Drink lots of water
If you feel thirsty then you are likely already mildly dehydrated. Even mild dehydration will quickly have a negative effect on your body, making you feel lethargic, weak, and fatigued. Research shows that in order to replace the water your body looses daily, you should aim at drinking 8 – 8oz. glasses of water daily.
Take a multivitamin with Vitamin B12.
Many people do not get all the vitamins and minerals that their body requires everyday from their regular diet. Multivitamins help your body to get the essential vitamins that it needs in order to function properly and have maximum energy. Vitamin B12 is a combination of 8 vitamins that are vital in maintaining high energy levels and overall health.Taking a multivitamin that includes Vitamin B12 complex can increase your energy.
Get enough sleep
This is pretty obvious. If you do not get enough sleep every night, you are likely to be tired. There are many recommendations on how much sleep your body needs for maximum energy, however in reality the amount of sleep needed varies from person to person. So figure out what that number is for you and make sure that you are getting enough sleep every night. Remember that staying up that extra hour at night probably decreases your energy and productivity more than it is worth. Your waking hours will be much more productive, and you will be able to get more done in less time if you get enough sleep.
Get on a schedule
Along with getting enough sleep you will find that you have more energy throughout the day if you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Doing so allows your body to develop a natural rhythm, thus allowing you to experience more restful sleep at night, wake up feeling more refreshed, and have more energy throughout the day.
Take a power nap
Studies show that taking a 20-30 minute power nap midday (before 4 pm) is good for your body, increases productivity, improves memory, and prevents brain activity from declining in the afternoon. However, sleeping longer than 20-30 minutes or taking your nap after 4 pm may actually make you sleepier and negatively affect your nighttime sleep. So make sure you pick the right time and length for your power nap.
Take a walk.
For many people, a 10 minute brisk walk in the afternoon can serve to lift energy levels. So take a minute to step outside, breathe some fresh air, and take a quick walk.
Reduce stress.
Sound impossible? You must remind yourself daily that worry never solved a single problem. We stress way too much about way too many things. Stress and worry suck the energy out of you and contribute to many other health problems. When was the last time you were able to change anything or better any situation by stressing over it? NEVER!! So relax and stop worrying and stressing!
Take a few minutes to breathe.
Breathing is one of the most important sources of natural energy. Taking a few minutes to take some slow, deep, refreshing breaths can give you an energy boost when you are feeling sleepy.
Check your diet.
Excess sugar and insufficient protein cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate throughout the day, often causing you to feel drowsy or fatigued. So candy bars or caffeinated drinks may give you a quick boost, but you can be sure that it won’t last long. Choose healthier options and keep a proper balance between carbohydrates and proteins.
Take time for yourself.
Remember to find some time every day to spend with yourself. Our lives are often so busy that we become overwhelmed with the business of each day. This is true whether you are a highly-paid business executive or a stay at home mom. Just the rush of daily life can suck the energy right out of you. So take a few minutes each day to slow down and spend with yourself and you will find your energy levels will likely increase. Check out the resources below for more useful information.
