Natural Ways To Boost Energy Levels

Do you wake up feeling lethargic most mornings? Have energy drinks become a necessity to help power you through the day? If it sounds familiar, it is time to ditch the quick fixes you rely on and develop an energy management program. Getting started may appear daunting, but you will soon be energized to keep going as soon as you reap the benefits of a fitter, happier, healthier, and more productive lifestyle.

What’s energy management? Think of your energy as a limited source, like money in an account. You start the day with a certain amount to spend, which varies from person to person based on factors like age, sleep, anxiety levels, health conditions, and lifestyle. During your day, multiple activities happen as you draw energy from your account’s deposit energy.

Even though you might not always have control over activities that deplete your energy, you can take action to deposit more energy in your account. Learn how to boost your energy with principles of energy management. You will feel better with every step you take toward this important self-care investment.

It tends to occur every day around the same time. It starts with a simple yawn, then your eyelids begin getting thick, and before you know it, you are staring at your computer screen, trying hard to remember what you are doing. It is the dreaded post-lunch afternoon when you hit the wall and find it harder to stay focused and productive. It is the well-known “afternoon slump.” Follow some tips to maximize your energy and live a happier, healthier, more productive life.

We’ve probably all experienced an afternoon slump at some point, it is no fun, especially once you’ve got a list of jobs needing to have done. If you really are knowledgeable about the day slump, then here are a few steps to boost your productivity during the workday’s home stretch.

– Find out why you’re fatigued.

The first step is to discover why you get tired in the day. Because fatigue has a variety of causes, it is tough to track down the specific reason. However, this article about the frequent causes of fatigue is a fantastic place to start. Sometimes there isn’t any particular cause for the day slump, it is merely the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Peak alertness naturally will fall off after the first eight or so hours of being awake. But this doesn’t indicate the afternoon slump is inevitable. Here are several strategies to avoid sleepiness and/or handle your energy levels.

Proceed to any health store, and you will see a large number of vitamins, herbs, and other supplements known as energy boosters. Some are added to soft drinks and other foods. But there’s little if any scientific proof that energy boosters such as ginseng, guarana, and chromium picolinate operate. There are many options to improve your natural energy levels. Here are some tips:

–  Drink water

What is the only nutrient shown to boost performance for all but the most challenging endurance activities? It is not a pricey sports beverage. It is water. When your body is short of fluids, one sign is a sense of fatigue.

– Exercise

Exercise almost guarantees you will sleep more soundly. Additionally, it provides your cells with more energy to burn and circulates oxygen. And exercising may lead to high brain dopamine levels, which will help elevate mood. When walking, pick up the speed periodically to get additional health benefits. Get regular exercise. Do you end up feeling lethargic halfway through the day? Exercise relieves stress, strengthens muscles, and promotes endurance, helping your body work better during other physical activities or actions. Once you start feeling drowsiness set in, stand up and stretch. Stretching provides a fast energy boost since it increases the flow of blood and oxygen through the body. Additionally, it is also a terrific way to relieve stress and tension on your muscles.

– Control stress

Stress-induced emotions consume tremendous amounts of energy. Joining a support group, seeing a psychotherapist, or talking with a friend or relative,  can help diffuse stress. Relaxation therapies such as yoga, meditation, self-hypnosis, and tai chi are powerful tools for reducing anxiety.

– Reduce workload

Among the principal reasons for fatigue is overwork. Overwork can consist of family and social obligations. Try to streamline your list of”must-do” actions. Set your priorities concerning the essential tasks. Pare down those who are less critical. Consider asking for additional help on the job, if needed.

– Do something meaningful

What do you feel passionate about? Have you got a special talent that you want to practice more frequently or discuss with others? Do something that you like every day, even if it’s something as simple as cooking a healthy meal. 

– Think good thoughts

Keeping a compassionate mind is a great way to conserve energy. One example of practicing this way of thinking is known as”kind attention.” By way of instance, try to make eye contact with a stranger and grin while thinking, “I wish you well.” This positive act may save you from judging that person instead. Judging others may cause us to judge ourselves, which type of negative inner dialogue can be exhausting.

– Avoid smoking

You know smoking threatens your health. However, you might not know that smoking siphons off your energy by inducing sleeplessness. Nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant that raises blood pressure, increases the heart rate, and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it more difficult to fall asleep. And as soon as you fall asleep, its addictive power can kick and wake you with cravings.

– Sleep

Sleep eight hours every night. Getting more sleep appears to be a healthy habit many men and women will need to improve on.  Sleep deprivation can perpetuate serious health conditions, in addition to negatively impact your mood, motivation, and energy levels. Prioritizing sleep is among the best things you can do to set yourself up for a successful, energized day.

– Be social

Connecting with other people who exude positivity and have similar interests will excite and energize you. On the flip side, people you do not relate to or who have negative outlooks, whine frequently, or make bad decisions will only drain your energy account. Be selective in the company that you keep.

– Prevent news overdose 

The news is a meaningful way to remain connected to what’s going on in the world. It may be educational, entertaining, and even uplifting. Sadly, the information is too often bombarded with tales of suffering. These tales may skew your view of the planet and cause you to concentrate on your worst fears rather than recognize the excellent surrounding you. You can not prevent these stories entirely, but try to minimize your exposure when you can, especially during stressful times.

If you believe you could be sleep-deprived, consider getting less sleep. This advice may seem strange, but determining just how much sleep you need can decrease the time spent in bed, not sleeping. This procedure makes it easier to fall asleep and promotes more restful sleep in the long term. Here is how to do it:

Avoid napping during the day. The very first night, go to bed later than usual and get only four hours of sleep. If you believe that you slept well during those four hours, add another 15-30 minutes of sleep another night. So long as you are sleeping soundly the whole time you are in bed, keep adding sleep on consecutive nights.

– Get some sun

If napping is off the table, then devote the same amount of break time out in the fresh air and sun. A change of scenery can be what you will need to improve productivity. Sunlight naturally boosts your vitamin D and serotonin levels, which may positively affect mood.

– Healthy eating

Foods with a low GI (glycemic index) are those whose sugars are absorbed slowly. These foods may help you avoid the lag in energy, typically after ingestion of quickly consumed sugars or refined starches. Foods with a low GI or glycemic index include whole grains, high-fiber veggies, nuts, and healthy oils like olive oil. Generally speaking, high-carb foods have the highest GIs. Proteins and fats have GIs that are near zero. 

Most of us know that healthful food is the crux for well-being, but it is common to regard healthy eating primarily as a weight-loss tool. A balanced diet with low-fat dairy, lean protein,  high in fruits and vegetables, and whole grains is everything you need for optimum energy. After all, you are what you eat to some degree. Eat various foods from all of the food groups to get a range of nutrients to energize you daily. Choose fresh vegetables and fruits, exceptionally nutrient-dense dark leafy greens and broccoli, in addition to orange vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes. There are various kinds of legumes and fish to select from for healthy protein alternatives.

Eating habits can be a motive for day fatigue, beginning with breakfast. If your average day is grabbing a coffee and going into the office, then you’re setting yourself up for a wreck. Instead, when you eat breakfast, consider equilibrium. A wonderful balance of healthy carbohydrates, protein, and fiber can allow you to feel full and energized throughout the day. Try breakfasts that include:

Eggs and whole-wheat toast

A cup of yogurt topped with banana, and a spoonful of peanut butter

Steel-cut oatmeal with fruit and nuts

Lunch is just as important. Based on what you consume, you may either block or cause a slump. A lunch that’s packed with refined carbohydrates, fats, and sugar will probably give you a quick energy boost, but additionally, it will just as quickly be followed by a crash.

Also, do not overeat as an excessive amount of food generally makes you tired. Rather, when eating lunch, aim for a mild mixture of vegetables and protein, like a salad topped with chicken, lettuce, lettuce, or chickpeas. If you do not have time to get a large production, then attempt a protein-packed shake, protein powder, milk, water, juice of choice, and something extra thrown into a blender. 

–  Use caffeine

Caffeine does help increase endurance, so having a cup of coffee can help sharpen your brain. But to find the energizing effects of caffeine, you need to use it judiciously. It can lead to insomnia, mostly when consumed in large quantities or after 2 p.m.

–  Limit alcohol

Among the best hedges against the midafternoon slump is to prevent drinking alcohol at lunch. Alcohol’s sedative effect is powerful at midday. Avoid a five o’clock cocktail also if you would like the energy in the day. If you are going to drink, do so in moderation if you don’t mind getting your energy to end down.

– Experiment

Monitor your energy. Take your energy “temperature” at different points during the day, assigning it a number from 1 to 10, with 10 being the maximum energy level. Look closely at the details of your day so that you could identify the individuals or events which affect you the most.

– Make incremental changes.

Once you’re aware of a few of the individuals or events that undermine your energy, consider your next steps. Pick a place that’s important to you and be realistic with the goals that you set. Then proceed to your next target when you feel ready.

– Plan and prioritize. Take notice of these times during the day as soon as your energy levels are usually the highest. Decide how you are able to take advantage of these moments by assigning significant tasks when you’re feeling fresh and effective.

– Take a rest: A huge misconception from youth is that nap time is punishment. We were wrong. The post-lunch rest is typical in many cultures worldwide, and the very best means to fight the afternoon slump. A quick 10-15 minute nap during your lunch break can do just fine. One study found that a quick afternoon nap actually reduces a decrease in cognitive flexibility; consequently, improving the brain’s ability to rapidly switch focus from one activity to another. There are many different ways to avoid the afternoon slump.

Medicinal plants & herbs for energy.

The category of medicinal plants that provide energy are called adaptogens. This type of medicinal plant includes licorice, ashwagandha, ginseng, and Rhodiola. They’re believed to build your resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress to boost your energy and vitality.

– Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera comes from India’s Ayurvedic medicine tradition. It’s incredibly helpful for stress-induced sleeping issues and enhancing energy levels.

– Korean Ginseng or the Latin name is Panax ginseng is another choice to consider. The plant’s primary root is traditionally used in western herbal medicine to cure physical or mental exhaustion, create an immune system, and ease the adaptation to stress. Other health benefits from this plant include enhancing sleep, fatigue, depression, headaches, and menopausal symptoms.

– Licorice or Glycyrrhiza glabra works wonders with the adrenal gland and is a staple of traditional medication for adrenal insufficiency and ulcers. Glycyrrhizin is the essential active compound in licorice. Licorice has been linked positively to a range of other health benefits, including immune system development, decreasing inflammation, and healing the gut lining.

– Eleuthero or Eleutherococcus senticosus is an adaptogen herb used to support cognition, immune function, and physical strain.

– Rhodiola or Rhodiola Rosea is just another adaptogenic herb with a long history of traditional use. It’s been used for anxiety and fatigue management, improve mental performance, and treating mild depression.

When using medical plants or some other organic medication, it is always good to check with your medical care provider.