Give Your Energy a Boost

woman walking outside Stress, long hours, obligations, and poor sleep can all contribute to our level of fatigue. On days when our energy is dipping a quick boost of caffeine can be quite tempting. However, caffeine may be contributing to the problem rather than helping. When consumed too late in the day, caffeine can affect our sleep. Excessive caffeine consumption can also lead to high blood pressure, headaches, and anxiety. However, there are simple remedies other than caffeine to boost our energy levels. Better yet, many of these options can give us a boost for the long term.

Exercise

Regular exercise is a great way to keep you energized for the long term. During a bout of exercise, oxygen rich blood travels throughout the body to the heart, muscles, and brain helping us feel refreshed and alert. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block, yoga over lunch, or a workout to kick off your day, you’ll quickly find how movement can keep you alert and focused.

Sunshine

Catching some rays increases the brain’s release of the hormone serotonin. Serotonin can help boost our mood, help us feel calm, and increase our ability to focus. The sun also plays an important role in our circadian rhythm. Exposure to sunlight during the day can help our bodies achieve restful sleep at night.

Consuming Complex Carbohydrates

Processed or refined carbs and sugar can leave us initially feeling energized, but this quick spike is often followed by a crash. Try consuming complex carbohydrates including whole grains, such as oatmeal or brown rice, fruits, and vegetables. These foods will supply you with energy without the rapid spike and crash due to their high fiber content and low glycemic effect on blood sugar.

Promoting Quality Sleep

Sleep is our bodies’ and minds’ way of recovering from the day and recharging in preparation for the next. When we aren’t catching enough quality zzz’s, it will catch up to us throughout the day. Keep you sleep environment restful, quiet and dark, limit screen time before bed, and keep a consistent bedtime and wake up time to improve the quality of your sleep.

Hydration

Dehydration can leave us feeling fatigued and foggy. Ensure that you are drinking water throughout your day to keep your body functioning at it’s best. Aim for half your body weight in ounces each day.