Although our society is driven in large part by the now of things, getting natural energy is often overlooked in place of stimulants like caffeine that get the job done fast and quickly. The problem with caffeine is that your energy will come crashing down as fast as it went up. In addition, too much caffeine can bring about adrenal fatigue.
Here are some great ways to have more natural energy:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar:
ACV is practically a cure all. Think of it like the windex from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". It boosts your immune system, helps you lose weight, makes your body more alkaline, can clear up your skin, and help detoxify your body. Amongst all its benefits, my favorite for it is a quick energy boost. ACV will cut through fatigue like a knife! Its not going to give you the stimulated caffeine high, but it really breaks down and removes fatigue. Try one tablespoon in a glass of water.
2. Vitamin D:
Most people are low in Vitamin D. This not only helps fatigue but helps with the blues too. I'm supposed to tell you to go outside and expose your body (specifically your belly if you can!) to direct sunlight without sunscreen for 15 minutes every day. But its FREEZING this winter! So i'm going to tell you to take a supplement. You can start off taking two pills for a couple days to increase your load but taper down to one a day since Vitamin D is fat soluble you don’t want to over do it either.
Speaking of fat soluble. Are you eating enough fats? You're going to need fats in your diet to absorb the fat soluble vitamins (Vitamins D, E, A, & K). So add some avocado or flax seed oil to your next salad.
3. Iron:
Low iron will almost always cause fatigue. Clean sources of iron include kale, spinach and apples. Make yourself a green smoothie of kale or spinach with apple every day and watch your iron levels soar. Include lemon juice or a handful of strawberries in your green smoothies because your body needs vitamin C to absorb the iron. If smoothies aren’t your thing, steam spinach and top with lemon juice and himalayan salt.
[Of course if you're eating red meat everyday you for sure are not low in iron. In fact, you may be too high in iron as the heme iron in meat all gets absorbed even if your body has enough. Bottom line, don't eat red meat everyday. Its all about balance.]
4. Eat Clean:
The food you eat plays a big role in your day to day and hour to hour energy levels. Eliminate processed foods. Processed foods are amongst the biggest culprits of energy depleters and give your body zero nutrition. Instead fill up on veggies which will restore your health and provide you much needed vitamins and minerals.
5. Workout
When your tired, sometimes the last think you want to do is exercise. But you'll feel so much better after you do. You'll see a difference in your energy after 15 minutes but by all means workout for as long as you want.
A great workout on those tired days to boost energy: Set your treadmill at an incline of 7 or 8 and speed walk at a speed of about 3.5. Your heart rate will go up and after 15-20 minutes you'll have more energy to last you throughout your day.
6. Watch Your Sugar Intake:
Do you eat a lot of sugar or carbohydrates? Having too much sugar or carbs will cause blood sugar and insulin spike. Likewise you'll also experience blood sugar crashes which cause fatigue. Cutting back on sugar and carbs will give you a steady state of energy all day.
7. Sleep
This one is pretty obvious but worth mentioning. When you don't sleep well you not only are more fatigued the next day, but you start craving things that will give you temporary highs and lows like carbs, sugar, and caffeine. Small adjustments to your sleeping habits can make a big difference in how you feel. If you have trouble falling asleep pay attention to what you do before you go to bed. Are you watching TV or staring at your iphone screen? These seemingly innocuous activities will actually hinder your sleep. The light from those screens trigger your brain into thinking its morning. Instead try a new nighttime ritual:
- Read a book from an actual book instead of a kindle.
- You can try a couple of yoga moves that will relax your body (Check out Strala Yoga online for quick moves).
- Sip on your favorite caffeine free tea.
8. Hydration
Drink up. Dehydration causes headaches, hunger, and fatigue. If you've overdosed on coffee because you were tired, drink more water. The coffee can leave dehydrated causing even more fatigue than before you had the coffee.
xx, SS