We all could use more energy throughout the day, but what simple steps can we take to increase our energy levels?
- Reduce stress. An easy statement to make, but harder to deliver. Stress is very harmful to the body, and stress from constantly striving for work life balance can have dramatic effects on your energy. Balancing your life at work and at home can give you great satisfaction, and can ease your mind and allow you to unwind at the end of each day. Ways to achieve this at work may be to take some time off when necessary, settle any differences of opinion through calm conversation, or to begin/finalise an important task that you have been delaying.At home, a change of pace may be what is needed. Try weeding the garden, an excellent way to clear your mind. A project or hobby might also give you a fresh perspective in your spare time., or a social event can be an opportunity to let your hair down. Importantly though, a social event does not have to include drinking or poor food choices!
- Food choices. Timing of when we eat, and what we eat is a major factor in your energy levels. Never skip breakfast! Your body needs fuel and it should start around the time you wake. A great choice is poached eggs. They are low in fat, high in protein and will keep you feeling full for longer than high sugar cereals. These may not be your choice every day, so mix it up. Our bodies thrive on variety, so try a quality muesli with yoghurt and berries, or even a fruit salad and a cup of tea!A common mistake is for people to eat high fat desserts after dinner. This causes all sorts of problems for maintaining healthy weight, and this in turn has consequences for your motivation to exercise.
- Exercise regularly.If you don’t feel like exercising, then this is perhaps the most important times to get out there and get started. The more often you choose to skip exercise, the harder the next step becomes. In much the same way, the fitter you become, the more energy you will have. You will find that you sleep better and wake feeling more refreshed.
- Switch off the television or computer early.Keeping your brain stimulated late into the evening will cause problems for a restful sleep. A far more beneficial way to unwind after a hard day is to read. It only involves 1 sense (your sight) rather than 2 senses (sight and hearing) for television, and your brain will thank you! There are plenty of other ways to enjoy ourselves at the end of the day, such as conversation, hobbies, or a refreshing walk to name a few!
- Correct any sleep issues occurring.Again, this is a simple statement to make and harder to address. It may be as simple as investing in a high quality pillow. After all, we spend 1/3 or our lives in bed, you must make sure you are comfortable and aligned correctly. Exercising will help improve sleep patterns, and so too will improved diet. As mentioned above, reducing stimulation to our brains late in the evening is important. Your minds work hard enough processing the day while you sleep! Remove televisions from your bedroom, and any other devices that illuminate the room such as computers, phones and other electronic equipment. A darkened room is the best conditions for sleep, so for a small financial outlay some quality curtains may be a great investment to ensure restful sleep in the future and more productive days.
Having more energy changes many aspects of your life and your thinking, and a common thought among people is “why didn’t I do this earlier!”. All it takes is the strong decision to make a change, and to keep at it. You’ll never look back!
Felicity Marsland, Naturopath Adelaide.
