3 Simple Steps to boost your energy
Do you find yourself struggling to get out of bed in the morning?
At times during the day do you find yourself so exhausted that you wish you could curl up and go to sleep?
Maybe your tiredness is affecting your work & productivity?
If you're energy levels have been letting you down or you struggle with an energy roller-coaster then there are some simple steps you can take daily for consistent energy.
Firstly by keeping your blood sugar levels balanced you avoid energy highs and lows. To keep energy levels high you're body needs the right type of fuel, so make sure you have 3 balanced meals and 2 healthy snacks throughout the day. Every meal should include a protein, a complex carbohydrate and some good oil. Proteins can include eggs, fish, tofu, chicken, meat, yoghurt or hummus. Complex carbohydrates are brown rice, whole grains and vegetables. Good oils are found in olive oils, coconut, flax seeds, walnut, nuts and seeds. The analogy is bit like a car when you put diesel in a petrol car it won't get very far!
Secondly If you've been running on empty for a while then likely your energy stores have become depleted, a bit like a battery that has been over used. In order to speed up recovery and restore depleted energy levels taking supplements can restore the low nutrient levels and correct the imbalances created by stress hormones. Essential nutrients can be found in 6 to 8 servings of highly coloured vegetables a day – as a minimum anyway. However when you're on the road to recovery your body needs additional vitamin B, C and E along with the minerals magnesium & calcium. These additional nutrient requirements can often be achieved with one good multivitamin depending on your situation.
Thirdly we need to maintain our energy stores as we start to rebuild lost reserves. Top of the list is a good quality sleep and if you're not getting this then it's going to be a little more difficult to improve your energy levels. For most people the most rejuvenating sleep is between 10 and 12pm, try going to bed before 10.30pm and aim to get at least 1 hour before midnight. Research has shown that the optimal amount of sleep is 7-8 hours uninterrupted sleep a night, but you may need more if your serious about getting more energy. Experts in adrenal fatigue or ‘burnout' recommend that people on a recovery program use the weekends to gain more restorative sleep and stay in bed a little later til 9am if possible. If you struggle with insomnia then you may need to address this to ensure quicker recovery.
Fundamentally we may need to break the stress cycle that could have initiated the stress hormones at the outset by incorporating some forms of relaxation (meditation, yoga and nature) and stress relief (fun, laughter and exercise) into your routine. Avoid caffeine stimulants as they can often making the situation worse.
If you're still struggling with tiredness after implementing the recommendations above then you may have other things going on like adrenal fatigue or ‘burnout' and need to seek advice from an expert regarding your best options for recovery.
In the meantime, some energy boosting herbs and foods you can also try – Goji berries, liquorice, the ginsengs and rhodiola.
And don't forget to check out Sue's Spring Cleanse Program so you can jumpstart your metabolism, have more vitality, feel energised and vibrant with glowing skin while losing your ‘love handles' once and for all!
About the author
A qualified Naturopath & Herbalist, Women’s Health & Vitality Specialist and the author of ‘The Good Health Guide’ a bi-monthly ezine, Sue's mission is to help women have the best health they possibly can. She is passionate that women are empowered with the best knowledge, easy to implement health practices and tools available, so that with their health taken care of, they have one less thing to worry about!
Her background of many years in the corporate world, education, industry and now as a busy mum running her own private practice, means she knows first-hand the pressures and challenges of busy, stressed out women who are juggling a number of things at the same time.
