What You Can Do To Increase Your Energy

By: Rasheedah Billups

If the snooze button is your favorite thing about your morning alarm, raise your hand! At some point, we’ve all thought about how much we appreciate the snooze button because we’ve all been at a point when we needed just 5 more minutes. In this society, it’s easy to fall into a lifestyle that’ll leave us feeling depleted and jonesing for a little more shuteye, but we’ve got purpose to live in, things to do, and people to see. Lack of energy is an indication that some lifestyle adjustments need to be made.

Why am I always so tired?

There are a host of illnesses and diseases that can cause constant tiredness. It’s always best to see a doctor to rule out any physical or mental conditions. Beyond serious and life threatening medical causes, there may be other things contributing to your lack of energy, such as diet, stress levels and physical inactivity. For example, a diet consisting of mostly processed foods and excess sugar will take you on a physical and mental roller coaster as your organs struggle to function. In order to perform at our highest potential, our body needs adequate nutrients, best found in healthier food options.

What can I do to shake this constant tired feeling?

• Drink less coffee (caffeine) and alcohol. Consuming too much caffeine has been linked to anxiety, restlessness, sleeping issues, and stomach issues. Alcohol consumption puts a strain on the brain, heart, and liver among other things. Over consumption has serious consequences, leaving our bodies unable to perform optimally.

• Drink more water and herbal teas. Approximately 60% of the body is made of water. Drinking adequate water helps to ensure our bodies are functioning properly as it performs tasks like flushing waste, maintaining blood pressure, regulating temperature, and delivering oxygen. Herbal teas also carry a host of benefits, specific to the blend of tea. Try a nutrient-rich blend like Nourish’d Herbal Organic Tea by Golden Flourish available in the BLK + GRN marketplace.

• Cut back on sugar. Eat less processed foods. Most processed foods are high in sugar, salt, and fat. Not only does sugar cause us to pack on extra pounds, leaving us feeling fatigued from the extra weight we have to carry around, but it also has other adverse effects. Consuming too much sugar results in unstable glucose levels which we experience as fatigue, mood swings, cravings, and headaches. Instead, eat more whole foods. Whole foods are foods that are as close to their natural state as possible when consumed; they are unprocessed and unrefined.

• Take supplements regularly. Taking vitamins daily can help with ensuring your body is receiving the nutrients it needs to perform and sustain energy throughout the day. You can try a multivitamin like Women’s Daily Multivitamin by Movita which addresses needs such as energy, digestive health, stress reduction, bone density, and more.

• Focus on balancing your eating portions. Recent studies show that although 36% of Americans are obese, 75% say their diets are good, very good, or excellent. A lot of us overeat and don’t even realize it. After eating a large meal, especially one full of processed foods, we are left feeling full and sluggish as our bodies struggle to digest everything we’ve eaten. Building a habit of reading nutrition labels and sticking to recommended serving sizes can help combat overeating.

• Check your mental, watch your thoughts, and reduce stress. As we’ve been learning, thoughts and words matter. The presence of stress and/or self-defeating thoughts can be draining, leaving you feeling not only defeated, but also tired before you even get started. To reduce stress, take breaks for some mindful breathing throughout the day: focus your attention on inhaling deeply and then exhaling, releasing any stress! You can also build a daily meditation practice to help reduce stress levels and eliminate defeating thoughts. Lastly, remember to incorporate your daily affirmations to help you feel ready and energetic throughout your day.

• Get moving! One of the best things about regular exercise is probably how great it makes us look, but it also has many other benefits ranging from improved circulation and moods to better sleep and increased energy. Take small steps to incorporate more movement into your lifestyle overtime by opting for the stairs over the elevator, taking walks, taking yoga classes, or not picking the parking spot closest to your destination.

When we don’t have enough energy, it makes it challenging to live our best lives. By gradually making a few lifestyle adjustments, we can ensure that we always approach each day with the odds in our favor.

What’s your secret to keeping your energy high? Share in the comments below so we can all benefit.