Most of us have struggled with low energy at some point. You might be spending your days feeling sluggish and tired, your body may ache, and you might find it hard to focus. Not feeling alert can affect your mood, your relationships, and your performance at work. It can even hurt your physical and mental health. So, let’s take a look at four of the best ways to boost your energy levels.
Sleep More
Perhaps the most obvious way to boost your energy levels is to sleep more. If you often feel tired, going to bed earlier could make a big difference. Unfortunately, however, it isn’t always that simple, and getting more sleep can be challenging. If you are struggling to nod off, some of the things that you could try include:
- Getting into a routine. Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, whether you need to or not, and your body will start to get used to it.
- Ban phones from the bedroom. Subconsciously you might be expecting notifications or alerts, which can keep you awake.
- Spend less waking time in your bedroom. If your bedroom is for sleep and only sleep, it might be less distracting.
- Cut caffeine and sugar in the evening.
- Exercise more.
Get More Exercise
Getting more exercise will typically boost your energy levels by releasing adrenaline and increasing blood flow to your heart, muscles, and brain, which will help you feel better. Exercise can also give you confidence and a mood boost, which can lift your energy levels.
If you are feeling tired, something as simple as going for a walk in the fresh air can give you a great boost. But, for lasting effects and noticeable improvement to your day-to-day energy levels, you should get into regular exercise habits. Try to aim for at least three cardio workouts a week, with added strength training and increased movement throughout the day, even when you aren’t specifically working out.
If you already get plenty of exercises, but still feel sluggish, or feel more tired after a workout, you should consider making changes to your routines. Using a supplement before or after exercise can regulate your energy levels and help you to get more from your workouts. Transparent Labs has a breakdown of the best choices available to help you to find the right product for you. Eating extra protein and working out earlier in the day could also help.
Manage Your Stress Levels
Stress doesn’t just make us feel tired because it keeps us awake. Even if you are still managing to sleep at night, being stressed out during the day can be exhausting. Living with stress makes everything harder. Even concentrating on simple tasks or focusing at work can be harder than it should be. Stress often causes extreme fatigue and is a common cause of low energy levels.
Managing stress isn’t one size fits all. Some people like to exercise and burn off negative energy. Others prefer to escape real life with a good book. Finding ways to reduce your stress levels is personal to you. But, one thing most people will agree on is that talking to someone, whether a professional or friend, will always help things to seem better.
Make Changes to Your Diet
Fatty, high carb foods can make us feel too full, sluggish, and tired. But, at the same time, unhealthy food can make it hard to sleep because your body is having to work too hard to digest your meals. Try to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet day to day. Yes, allow yourself treats, but eat them earlier in the day, and find the right balance for your body.
For a quick boost, try healthy, high protein snacks when you are lagging, instead of relying on sugar and caffeine, which can lead to a slump.
While low energy is typically easy to fix, it’s not always the case. If you are eating well, sleeping plenty, and otherwise feeling happy and at peace, your low energy could be a sign that something is wrong, and you should see your doctor.
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