Feeling Low?
Turns out there are plenty of habits that contribute to your energy level. The bright side is it's pretty easy to fix most of these, and you’ll be feeling electric and ready-to-go in no time. To make the harder things in life just a bit breezier, here are some things you might want to consider.
1. Dehydration
Making sure we drink enough liquids throughout the day is crucial for our general health and well-being. Letting yourself get dehydrated can reduce your mental and physical functionality. Even mild dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue.
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2. Poor Sleep Quality
Poor sleep or lack of sleep can really impact your energy levels during the day. Our body regenerates and repairs itself and makes sure we are ready for the day when we wake up. Avoid any distractions before bedtime in order to have a good night’s sleep.
3. Lack of Sunlight
We often shut the blinds so our screens don’t get that glaring reflection of light. This can be a very dangerous thing, as limiting the sunlight reduces the level of vitamin D our body desperately needs. Lack of vitamin D leads to low energy, so at the very least try and get supplements if you spend lots of time with the blinds down.
4. Caffeine Dependency
Lots of people absolutely cannot start their day without a cup of coffee. Drinking excessive amounts of it can lead to disrupted sleep and caffeine addiction. Over time our body gets used to the increasing amounts of coffee we give it, leading to low energy, energy drops, as well as fatigue after some time.
5. Overworking
Making sure you have a good work-life balance is very important. We live in a world where there is constant demand on us to put all our time and energy into work, which can be an extremely draining and tiring thing. Setting boundaries and not overworking can prevent mental exhaustion and burnout.
6. Irregular Meal Times
Skipping meals or not eating for extended periods of time can lead to energy crashes. Our body needs steady energy, vitamins, minerals, and hydration in order to keep us going. Avoid not eating breakfast as much as possible, as that is the biggest energy boost our body gets first thing in the morning.
7. High Temperatures
Having the heating turned up to eleven can feel very warm and cozy. It can also make the room very stuffy and dry. Spending excessive amounts of time in a very warm room can relax the body a bit too much, leading to energy drops and drowsiness.
8. Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol alters not just our mood, but also our energy levels. Especially when consumed before sleep, it can reduce the quality of rest and leave you feeling tired in the morning. Avoid having alcohol at least a couple of hours before bedtime for a better quality sleep.
9. Excessive Stress
Constant stress can drain our energy very fast. Stress puts our body in a heightened state of alert leading to fatigue, reduced focus, as well as disrupted sleep. Try reducing stress through techniques like yoga, and downtime, or if you are extremely stressed, therapy can help with reducing it.
10. Sedentary Lifestyle
Lack of physical activity can slowly reduce our energy capacity over time. Sitting for extended periods of time slows down your metabolism. Adding regular exercise, even if it’s light walking every day, improves your health and your energy.
Now that we have discussed what not to do, here are 10 things you can start doing this second to bolster energy.
1. Take Short Breaks
Days can get very overwhelming with the number of things we have to do. Making sure you get a break here and there can help recharge your energy and keep your mind focused. Working hard is fine and dandy, as long as you find time for yourself as well.
2. Reduce Screen Time
It’s insanely easy to get lost in mindless scrolling on our phones right before bed. Sometimes we even get under our blanket, get all cozy and warm, check our phone for a second, just to lose hours of time scrolling. Make sure you don’t leave your phone next to your bed before going to sleep.
3. Optimize Work Environment
Working in a well-optimized area is important in not straining our bodies. Things like poor lighting, uncomfortable seats, and even the temperature of the room can affect our energy. Make sure you do your best to not make the work environment uncomfortable for yourself.
4. Supplement When Needed
With today’s busy lifestyles, it’s very easy to forget important vitamins and minerals. Things like vitamin C, B12, iron, magnesium, and many more are crucial for feeling more energetic and being healthy. There are plenty of fruits and vegetables that provide all of this, but if that’s not your forte, try at least using supplements instead.
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5. Get Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight is very important in providing us with much-needed vitamin D, as well as keeping our energy up. There’s a reason we work and function during the day, while we sleep at night. Consider taking time to walk outside, or at the very least sit on a balcony or next to an open window for a while.
6. Listen to Uplifting Music
Music can improve our moods and keep us energized. Different people like different kinds and types of music. Luckily, there is no lack of genres, artists, bands, or ways of listening to a good song.
7. Avoid Heavy Meals
Having a very heavy, large meal can feel amazing. This, however, leads to post-meal sluggishness and energy drop. Consider having smaller, lighter meals throughout the day instead of one huge one.
8. Reduce Sugar Intake
Sugar is one of the biggest reasons we crash during the day. Having too much of it in drinks, snacks, or other forms of artificial sweeteners can lead to sugar crashes and headaches. Consider replacing candy bars and sodas with energy-boosting nuts, fruits, and sparkling water.
9. Socialize
Socializing with other people can be a very uplifting activity. Whether it’s friends, family, or even coworkers during a lunch break, it can be a nice and quick energy boost to have a conversation about almost anything. It also prevents us from feeling like we are alone throughout the day, which can lead to more energy exhaustion.
10. Drink Herbal Teas
Green tea or peppermint tea can provide a nice way of getting some energy back. They are a natural way to lift ourselves up and feel better. Just make sure you don’t go too crazy with black teas, as they are very high in caffeine, which can lead to energy crashes.
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