If you are suffering from low energy, you are not alone. Millions of adults are exhausted, overworked, under rested, undernourished, and frustrated. When you get into bed does your mind wander or do you fall into a deep sleep and wake up refreshed? Most likely not if you have any of the above mentioned issues. If you are female, you are much more likely to be suffering from all of the above. Add in hormones that rule our bodies and you have a recipe for adrenal burn out, weight gain, mild bouts of depression, and sometimes even anger towards ourselves. You need to get control or your life will spiral into exhaustion and illness.
There are many culprits that unknowingly sabotage our energy levels. Many of them are things that ARE in your control. Once you rid your life of the energy zappers and add in the energy enhancers, you will be on your way to what I call Constant Energy!
I am 54 years young and hate to be taken over by hormones. Let me tell you, at my age it is a constant battle. Lucky for me (and not so much for others ha ha) I am a control freak. I refuse to let my age do to me what it has “done” to so many other adults my age. I practice daily things that will boost my energy levels and stay away from things that I know (based on tons of research) will zap my vitality.
Here is a guideline that will get you on the track to Constant Energy and maybe even into a gym where you can believe it or not, get even more energy from working out!
1. Start every morning with mainly protein a little complex carbohydrates , and a small amount of healthy fats.
You have just come out of a “fast”. Which means you are already suffering from low energy. Feed yourself.
Many good and tasty options are in my Smoothie Recipes for Optimal Health E-Book.
2. Stay away from sugar unless it is fruit.
Sugar in all it’s hidden forms only gives you a temporary boost. Right after your blood sugar spikes from either a bagel, a pastry, some bread, cereal, or juice, you go from energized, to tired and craving more sugar.
3. Drink at least 6 glasses of pure water, all day long.
Feeling tired is usually one of the first signs of dehydration. Sip on water daily and carry a BPA free jug around with you at all times. Athletes have shown to have a 5-10% reduction in work capacity when not enough water is taken in. Every cell in your body thrives on water. Never go without it!
4. Stop eating foods that are loaded with pesticides, fillers, fake sweeteners, low fat foods, fake foods that mimic the “real thing”, prepackaged foods and diet foods.
Every one of these will disrupt the efficiency of how your body does everything from burn fat, to sleep well to ward off disease. Eat a clean diet. What that translates to is foods that have NO labels. Farm to table is the term.
5. Turn off electronic gadgets 1 hour before bedtime. Cell phones, laptops, computers, facebook, twitter, kindles, all the stuff that we can’t live without. Yeah, this one is tough these days!
Research has shown that the energy emitted from these sources keeps your brain “turned on” long after you have fallen asleep. What this means to your body is not getting into a deep enough sleep to feel energized in the morning. Turn them all off. Listen to some relaxing music. Read a paper book or magazine. Make your room completely dark. Melatonin, the sleep hormone is only produced in complete darkness, and less as you age.
6. Supplement with Melatonin.
Circulating levels of melatonin vary daily, but are necessary for the body during the evening when circadian rhythms function to promote deeper sleep. As we age we produce less melatonin. I supplement with two 3 mg. tablets 1/2 hour before bedtime every evening and I sleep very well. Melatonin is also responsible for many other biological functions.
7. Limit caffeine intake.
Nothing wrong with a cup of java in the morning. I drink 1/2 of a cup of fair trade organic coffee with 1 tsp of organic raw coconut oil every morning. A cup of coffee has also shown to improve fat burning and endurance before a workout. The “energy drinks” that are lining the shelves are loaded with chemicals, sugars, and things that your body cannot use properly. Don’t be fooled by the words energy! The low and zero sugar ones are even worse. These are liquids that need to be completely eliminated from your diet. Drink green tea (which has been shown to help reduce belly fat) either hot or iced for a pick me up.
8. Keep stress out of your life.
Ever get a good night’s sleep when you are riled up about something or someone? From yoga to self talk, find ways, and people that keep you calm and grounded. As far as that “inner voice”, keep the words you repeat to yourself calming, in control and believing that you have choices and no-one can take away your happiness. That in itself is calming. A stressful life is a sure energy saboteur. Keep calm. Keep naysayers and downer people away. Hang out with people that are energized and that love life!
9. Exercise!
Exercise when done regularly is a pure energizer. I would have put this one first as it is something that everyone can do at some level. The longer you sit idle, the more tired you get. Set your clock, tell yourself the night before that you are getting up, eating a good breakfast, then getting your blood flowing! The more you practice this, the more your body will look forward to it.
10. Stop dieting to change your body.
This topic frustrates me to no end and is the exact reason that I got certified in fitness training and nutrition. Diets make us tired, crabby, depressed, mad, fatter in the long run, and consume our thoughts. Eat real food. Eat organic and healthy foods that you can pronounce, with no labels, and stop counting every calorie. Diets make you lose muscle which slows down your metabolism and makes you feel even worse. If you remember one of these tips, remember this one. Eat pretty, nutritious and natural foods.
Energy is something we were all meant to have. If you are suffering from low energy, you need a mind and body overhaul. Unfortunately the world we live in finds many ways to creep into our lives making us think we have no control over what happens next. Use these tips daily to stay grounded, vital and energized. When you put these practices into your every day life you will be amazed at how soon you look forward to tomorrow with excitement!
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Searching and Sharing for ways for us to achieve optimal health and wellness,
Dawn
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