Fatigue, feeling weak and having no energy to do anything…we’ve all been there. Let’s face it, we live much more stressful lives than our ancestors, and it’s not just work. It’s all this information overload that we are subjected to every day, whether we want it or not. Blame it on digital tech, if you want, or just on modern ways, but most of us are short of energy. Here are ten ways to get more of it, and no side effects!
1. Leave your worries at the bedroom door
Quality sleep is essential for feeling well and having enough energy through the day. But you can’t get quality sleep if you toss and turn all night worrying about the bills, the promotion at work or anything else. Think of it this way: you can’t solve your problems at night. Make the effort to think about something nice when you go to bed and it will pay off.
2. Switch to tea
Another tips on how to get more energy is to switch to tea. OK, caffeine is called this way for a reason but did you know that coffee is also a diuretic substance? This means it takes the water out of your body and that’s not good for your energy levels. Tea, especially green tea, also contains caffeine but it doesn’t drain you, plus it’s rich in antioxidants, which help fight aging process and it has a couple of other ingredients that help you lose weight.
3. Eat your fruit
Next great tip on how to get more energy is to eat more raw fruit. First, fruits contain natural, ‘healthy’ sugar that will energize you without leaving you asking for more an hour later. Second, fruits are full of vitamins, so you won’t need to take supplements, as their usefulness is overrated anyway.
4. Grains, not candy bars
A bit more on the topic of sugar. Candy bars are quick energy boosters but the peak is equally quickly followed by a drop in energy levels. Whole grain snacks, on the other hand, work slowly but steadily, keeping your blood sugar level where it should be and ensuring you have energy throughout the day.
5. Don’t starve yourself
Another useful tip on how to get more energy is to avoid starving yourself. It’s sometimes difficult to take a lunch break when you’re chasing a deadline but denying your body the food it needs practically means denying it the energy it needs. Food equals calories. Calories equal energy. It’s as simple as that. Not to mention that if you starve yourself during the day, you’re more likely to try and compensate by overeating.
It’s amazing how few of us are actually aware of how important proper breathing is. We usually have no reason to inquire into the matter, but proper breathing, that is, through the nose and steady, makes sure our body gets enough oxygen in every cell. Oxygen keeps cells healthy. Healthy cells mean good energy levels.
7. Take breaks
Good time management is essential for keeping stress under control, so our next tip on how to get more energy is to take regular breaks. This, in turn, is essential for avoiding burnouts and exhaustion. Learning to take breaks between tasks or even mid-task at work is a major part of good time management. There’s a Russian saying that goes: ‘Work is not a wolf, it won’t run off into the woods’. It’s very true.
8. Move around
Even a little bit of physical activity, a short walk or even standing up from your desk and stretching for a bit can get your energy juices flowing again. Of course, a walk would be much better than a stretch, so have one every chance you get. It’s all about heart rate and blood circulation – a walk would quicken the rate, increase circulation, and energize you.
9. Indulge in your passions
There must be something you like to do outside work, surely, but sometimes life is so hectic that you forget there even is anything outside work and worries. This attitude will exhaust you very quickly, so take a step back and relax for a bit. Indulge in your passions, this is our next tip on how to get more energy. Read a book, watch a movie, play your preferred instrument or eat your favorite ice cream. And do it regularly.
10. Experiment
As time goes by we get more and more set in our ways and start forgetting that there was such a thing as experimentation. Trying new things is a sure-fire way to get more energy, so don’t be afraid, experiment in any field where you feel you can do with a bit of change – the kitchen, the bed, the office, anywhere.
Remember, we humans don’t really like changes, it’s in our nature, so it’s very easy to slip into a rut and stay there for the rest of our lives.
How to get more energy? Do you have some other tips?
Fight the rut and enjoy life to the fullest!
