Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy!

In my work as a holistic health coach, I have seen that there is an epidemic of exhaustion in our community!  I hear many complaints of low energy, extreme fatigue, and insomnia.  I certainly have experienced bouts of low energy myself from time to time.

Nearly all of us could use more energy to keep pace with our busy lives. For a quick fix, we turn to stimulants like caffeine and sugar.  The problem with this approach is that our triple venti morning latte or afternoon energy drink provide a short-term solution that, in the long run, makes us even more fatigued and damages our bodies' natural ability to produce energy and recover from stress.

The caffeine, sugar, crash!, caffeine, sugar cycle is a band-aid that masks our underlying issues - inadequate sleep, poor diet, lack of exercise and unresolved stress. 

The best thing we can do to begin to address our fatigue issues and create a natural energy supply for our bodies is to make a list of our energy drains and energy gains.

Each day, try to let go of one thing that drains your energy and add one thing that gives you energy.

Here are some examples of energy zappers:

• Eating fatty foods.  They take a lot more energy to digest!
• Eating too much sugar. This throws our blood sugar levels waaaay out of whack, and results in big energy crashes.
• Eating too many refined and highly process carbohydrates like bread and pasta.  These also have a negative effect on blood sugar levels.
• Not getting enough sleep (less than 8 hours).  Obviously!
• Skipping breakfast.  This leaves us with NO gas in the tank!
• Ingesting too much caffeine.  This stimulant is demanding of our adrenal glands, which manage our stress responses.
• Spending too much time around negative people.  Have you noticed how exhausting this is?
• Working too much.  Especially if you are in a high stress job!
• Stewing around in negative emotions. Holding on to resentment, worry, anger, and other negative emotions uses up a LOT of energy.
• Too much screen time.  Television, video games, and internet surfing can be overstimulating and leave us feeling worn out.

Here are some great energy boosters:

• Eating whole foods, especially unrefined carbohydrates like whole grains, vegetables, and fruit.  These provide the body with a slow and steady source of energy, especially when consumed with a small serving of protein.
• Exercise. Who doesn't feel energized after a blood-pumping workout?
• Spending time outdoors. Fresh air does wonders for waking up our senses.
• Mediation, Relaxation and Prayer. Turning off, tuning out, and connecting to our inner selves or a higher power can be rejuvenating for body and mind.
• Drinking water.  Our body needs plenty of H2O to function optimally. Dehydration can make us feel exhausted.
• Surrounding yourself with positive people. We can gain energy from spending time with people who make us laugh, feel good, and who motivate us to give our best.
• Being creative. Exercising your creative side – whether through painting, dance or model plane building gets the juices flowing.
• Physical touch. Hugs, touches, and intimacy can replenish our bodies and souls.
• Helping others and volunteering.  Doing something for others has a long-lasting impact on our sense of well-being.
• Smiling.  Putting a smile on your face can make you feel instantly less stressed and more relaxed.  Smiling is contagious!  If you smile at someone, it is almost impossible for them not to smile back.  That brief interaction can put some pep in your step.

No matter how tired and exhausted you are, there are things you can do to pump up your energy naturally.  You do not have to go through each day lacking the energy you need!  Committing to taking couple of simple energy boosting steps one week, like going to bed 30 minutes earlier and smiling at a stranger each day, can make a noticeable difference in your level of fatigue.

I love my work supporting people to make nutrition and lifestyle changes that stick and lead to less stress, greater energy, better health, more happiness and permanent weight loss.  I have seen how making small changes over time can lead to remarkable improvements in our levels of health and happiness!

Take one small step today to increase your energy.  You'll be glad you did!