Maximizing your energy levels offers you a ton of benefits, including improved focus and productivity, increased time for friendships and family relations, enhanced physical fitness, heightened cognitive functions, and much more. Let’s take a look at how you can increase your energy levels through nutrition, exercise, stress management, hydration, and much more.
Nutrition
Nutrition is one of the most effective ways to increase your energy levels naturally. However, you must know the best foods to choose to boost your energy levels. If you choose sugary foods or refined carbs, your energy levels will spike quickly and then plummet. Instead, choose low glycemic foods like whole wheat bread, nuts, beans, brown rice, or bran cereal as these foods have a lower impact on blood sugar levels. Make sure to include lots of green, non-starchy vegetables and lean proteins which will keep you full longer and help avoid cravings. Our nutritionists specialize in personalized diet plans tailored to your needs.
Metabolism
Your metabolism is how the body converts food into energy. Increasing your metabolism will naturally boost your energy. For optimal metabolism, you must provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs. When you are not getting enough nutrients, you will feel tired and sluggish. In addition to eating healthy foods, you need to increase your physical activity. Try to focus on resistance training more often since healthy muscle mass may help with keeping your metabolism healthy.
Fitness
Regular exercise can help to boost your energy levels. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which provide you with extra energy. Exercise can affect your sleep patterns, heart health, and cognitive health. You can learn more about workouts and how they boost your energy by visiting Everyday Health.
Mental Health
Did you know your mental health can affect your energy levels? Think about how exhausting it is when you are under intense stress, anxiety, or depression. If you are experiencing turmoil, sickness, or stress in your life and it is affecting your energy levels, it is time to begin learning some stress relief techniques.
Meditation is one of the best methods to boost energy levels and combat stress. Take 10 minutes in the morning to meditate to create a solid foundation for your mental health and energy levels. Meditation is designed to help calm the stress response and promote natural relaxation.
Stop Relying on Stimulants
Many people who are experiencing low energy levels turn to caffeine and energy drinks to get them going. Unfortunately, these stimulants do more harm than good. Instead of reaching for that next energy drink or cup of coffee, try one of these energy boosting foods:
- B vitamins
- Chlorophyll
- Coconut oil
- Ginseng
- Guarana
These natural stimulants increase blood oxygen levels, enhance your metabolism, regulate blood sugar, and improve cognition.
Hydration
Ensuring that you are properly hydrated is essential to your overall health and energy levels. When you are dehydrated, your heart must work harder because your blood volume decreases. In addition to this, your blood vessels will constrict, increasing the likelihood of a headache. Drinking an ample amount of fluids each day will help keep you energized and reduce the effects of dehydration on your body. For best results, sip on water throughout the day. If you are very active, consider adding quality electrolytes to your water once a day.
Activities
You may be surprised to learn that hobbies and other activities that you enjoy can actually increase your energy levels. Things you are passionate about enhance your happiness and your vitality, especially when participate in activities with those you love. Exploring your talents, hobbies, and passions can help to increase your energy levels and bring more enjoyment to your life. The next time you feel worn out, stressed out, and frazzled, try enjoying a hobby or activity that you love.
Get Up and Get Moving
Getting up early can help give you the boost that you need to have plenty of energy and positivity throughout your day. Doing some light to moderate exercise in the morning hours will kickstart your metabolism. When you wake up early, you reap the following benefits:
- Improved productivity
- Increased amount of time for exercise
- More time to eat a better diet
- Stress reduction
Reduce Screen Time
When you reduce your screen time, you will become more present and alert, which can improve your energy levels. In the beginning, it can be difficult turning off technology, but once you do, you will begin to notice a difference. Too much screen time can reduce your body’s ability to process stress, experiences, and issues the way you would normally process them. Reduced blue light also helps you sleep better.
Caffeine Intake
Many people think that caffeine will give them a bolt of energy; however, caffeine can do just the opposite. The reason that you believe that a cup of coffee, cola, or tea gives you energy is because it stimulates your brain activity by blocking the neurotransmitter that helps calm the mind. Try to recognize if you are drinking coffee for increased energy or simply as a habit. If you don’t need a ‘pick me up’ than switch to decaf and you will still get to enjoy the taste of coffee without adding unnecessary caffeine in your body.
Spend Time in the Sun
Vitamin D is essential to good health and vitality. Spending 15 to 30 minutes outdoors without sunscreen can help boost your energy levels. Spending time outdoors works in several ways to enhance your energy levels. First, your body converts sunlight into vitamin D. In addition, it helps reduce stress, which improves your outlook and energy levels.
Nutritional Supplements
There are numerous natural supplements on the market that claim to boost energy and increase vitality. The professionals at Rose Wellness can guide you to select high quality nutritional supplements to increase your energy. Some of the most potent herbs to boost energy include:
- Eleuthero
- Ginseng
- Green Tea
- Guarana
- Suma Root
B Vitamins
Your energy comes from the foods you consume. Your body digests your food into usable energy and nutrients like B vitamins. Vitamin B12 is used to produce red blood cells and to create energy. Taking a quality B complex vitamin along with eating vitamin B12 foods like lean meat will help you restore and increase your energy levels.
There are many ways you can increase your energy levels naturally. Start with increasing your physical activity and eat a wholesome meal filled with lean proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Practicing stress relief techniques and spending time outdoors will help you restore your energy reserves. Our integrative practitioners can help boost your energy levels and improve your vitality.