I’m sure everyone has felt sluggish and gone through the energy rollercoaster of life today. At times, modern life seems to be defined by the stress it puts us under: from work pressures to family commitments to environmental factors. Each of these things can affect our energy levels, leaving us feeling lethargic at best, or simply unable to face the world at worst.
1. Water – Yes, it is important to ignite your energy first thing in the morning and to keep it aflame all day long. Make sure to consume at least 32oz of water upon rising.
Throughout the day, try to drink at least half of your bodyweight. For example, if you weigh 180 lbs, drink about 90oz of water. Note, even being one percent below your optimal fluid level results in noticeable fatigue.If you don’t drink water much then a helpful tip is to make it a habit by recording your water intake. It is helpful to always keep a water source close by. I like to fill a gallon in a jug and make sure it is empty by the end of the day. It is
amazing how much water you can drink just by sipping on it time to time, even while driving around. Note, if you sweat more one day than the others or more active, then increase your intake.
Extra Benefits: Water helps trigger your metabolism, accelerate and aid in digestion.
2. Whats Inside – First, you need to seriously look into the foods you are eating. Would you put low-grade gas in a Ferrari and expect it to perform well and over a long period of time? Test for food allergies and eliminate them from your diet. Use a log book and this is handy when tracking what works or doesnt work for you. Certain cleansing programs and elimination diets are beneficial to detox the system (just beware of withdrawals). Stick it out through undertaking one of these programs and you will teach your body how to fuel off of real and beneficial foods. You will be back in the game and full of energy in no time.
Real foods (raw, green, super foods, clean foods, etc.) naturally fuel our energy systems. Fake or processed foods, food allergies, and sugar shut our systems right down. There are certain foods to which you might be allergic can cause a tremendous amount of sluggishness. If you are allergic to gluten or certain sugars (yeast or barley), your body is spending more time trying to digest and eliminate them from your system than it is fueling your energy systems and your metabolism. An easy way to incorporate raw, organic vegetables is to throw them into your shakes. Kale and spinach are great additives, and they are even better with a scoop of peanut or almond butter in there.
Extra Benefits: Clear skin, stronger nails and hair, better digestion, less headaches, fat loss, eliminate cravings for unhealthy foods, stop binge-eating, live longer and healthier.
3. Be Active – Stick to a regular active schedule. It helps your joints, tendons and
muscles to be lubricated. No matter how tired or lethargic you might feel, get up and move. Run, bike, swim, lift weights. It is important to keep the lymphatic system flowing, the heart rate up, the muscles moving, the blood flowing, and to eliminate the lactic acid build-up and other toxic waste with all of the above. There is probably no better way to do that than to sweat. Saunas are great as a supplement, but nothing compares to real movement. I highly doubt anyone has come home after a workout feeling worse about going than they did about staying home. Sore maybe, but that is a great feeling, too.
Extra Benefits: It helps you lose fat, reduce or eliminate depression, increase endorphins, build muscle mass, sleep better, digest properly, breathe fresh air, and so many other benefits.
4. Sunlight – Get out into the sun every day for thirty minutes at a time. The optimal hours to sunbathe are between 10:00am and 2:00pm. Expose as much skin as possible, front and back.
Extra Benefits: Use no sunscreens, just bare your skin and soak up essential B12. It’s a natural (and free) energy source right in your backyard.
5. Relax Your Mind and Body – Added stress can keep your energy levels down or 
sometimes can even have you feeling down in a depressed state. We tend to forget this but we need some alone time to recharge our mind and overall well-being. Training your mind to relax isn’t difficult and can help you feel rested and prepared at any time. To relax your mind, consider meditating, practicing healthier habits like yoga or tai chi, engaging in relaxing activities like listening to music, and avoiding or reducing common stress triggers like social media. When you find methods that work for you, cultivate and practice them often. In time, you’ll be able to relax quicker and easily.
Extra Benefits: It helps with your attitude and changes your mood (more happier), breathing helps with overall well-being and physical body, improves digestion, etc.
6. Lights Out – Make sure you are not staring at a bright computer screen, checking text messages, or in a bright room an hour or so before bedtime. Bright lights reduce melatonin levels and fire up the brain cells. Our circadian rhythmis strongly affected by light. This is why you are on a different sleep schedule than someone in Europe or even in New York. We spend about one third of our lives asleep – or at least we should.
Shut off the lights and close the blinds at night. Also a good tip is to leave your electronics charging in a different room to stop the temptation of looking at them in bed. The best optimal time to sleep is between 10:00pm and 2:00am.
Extra Benefits: Get a full and rested REM sleep, better chances of getting seven to eight hours of sleep at night, wake up more rested, allows the body to recharge, and you’ll have better concentration.
Final Thoughts
Especially with the holidays around the corner I am confident to say you will get an extra surge of energy if you follow these simple and important tips that we tend to forget and as a result you will get things done around the holidays and even have a festive time!
