Living the healthiest life possible is the best way to build and maintain healthy energy levels. Anything that puts stress on the body, uses up energy that could be used for something more enjoyable. Stress can be both physical (lack of sleep, hard workout, exposure to toxins, etc.) and mental/emotional. If you’re feeling a little low energy and and trying your best to live a healthy lifestyle, here are some simple things you might not be doing that could boost your energy.
Morning Routine
Whether you juice your greens or simply mix them up in the blender, alkalizing your body first thing in the morning will likely boost your energy. This is because vegetables provide important vitamins and minerals while also supplying energy to your cells. If you are incorporating collagen and/or bone broth in your diet, you could add that to your green drink as well as spices like turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon.
Another nice addition to your green drink is chia seed. The essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) found in chia seeds are thought to support sleep quality, boost brain power and combat inflammation. In addition, they contain high levels of protein and fiber, which keep blood sugar stable.
If you feel an illness coming on, drinking extra green drinks may help you avoid getting sick and keep your energy levels high. Skip store-bought smoothies and juices. They are often loaded with sugar, preservatives and other unhealthy ingredients. You could end up feeling worse and even more exhausted.
You might also want to consider adaptogenic herbs to your morning routine. These healing plants balance and restore the body’s natural ability to handle stress by regulating the adrenal system. Adaptogens don’t target a specific body part; instead, they help your entire body come into balance. Some of the most studied and widely used adaptogen herbs are ashwagandha, rhodiola, hoby basil and ginseng. These herbs could help you feel calmer, less exhausted and more focused. These are most commonly taken in supplement form.
Avoid Sugars and High Carbohydrate Foods
Sugars and foods heavy in carbohydrates can leave you feeling sluggish. This is because your body breaks down simple carbohydrates into sugar which spikes your blood sugar levels. When your blood sugar levels drop and return to normal, you will likely feel tired. These simple carbs can be found in things like sugary drinks, cookies and processed foods including white bread and pasta.
The secret is to stick to low-glycemic carbohydrates that take the body longer to digest. Nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes, oats and brown rice are all low-glycemic carbohydrates that will provide the body with a steady stream of energy.
Squats After Lunch
Doing 10 to 20 squats after lunch has many benefits and will boost your energy. They are relatively simple to perform, require no equipment, and can be done just about anywhere. Although squats are often regarded as “leg” exercises, they actually offer benefits throughout your entire body, including deep within your core.
Few exercises work as many muscles as the squat, so it’s an excellent multi-purpose activity useful for toning and tightening your behind, abs, and, of course, your legs. Furthermore, squats build your muscles, and these muscles participate in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity, helping to protect you against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Squats also improve the pumping of body fluids, aiding in removal of waste and delivery of nutrition to all tissues, including organs and glands. Try it and you’ll find you’ll get stronger and have more energy.
Stay Hydrated and Get Your Vitamin B12
One of the first signs of dehydration is feeling tired or exhausted. So not drinking enough water could be the reason your energy levels are lacking. Because our bodies are made up of mostly water, even small dips in hydration are enough to affect your metabolism. Remember that you can also get hydration from foods and other drinks, like tea. Teas can provide a number of health boosting properties. Two wonderful options are green tea and rooibos tea. Green tea contains phyto-nutrients and the antioxidant catechin. Rooibos tea is made from from South Africa’s red bush plant and is a natural energy booster and is also loaded antioxidants including.
Vitamin B12 is also known as the “energy vitamin”. It is one of the most complex of all vitamins and is one of the best vitamins to boost your energy. Because it’s a water-soluble vitamin, your body cannot store extra amounts of B12 and relies on getting the vitamin from the foods you eat or supplements. Some good food sources of B12 are sardines, Atlantic mackerel, lamb, wild caught salmon, nutritional yeast, sheep’s milk feta cheese, grass fed beef, and cottage cheese.
Stretching Before Bedtime
If you are needing to boost your energy, you want to make sure you are getting the right amount of deep sleep. A great way to help ensure that you get a good night’s rest is to develop a comfortable stretch routine. This will help you stay asleep, which equals more energy and a better following day. In particular, you can target key areas where you hold tension, like the shoulders, neck, hands, and chest. The stretching will not only relax you, but will help make your muscles more flexible. You can read more about ways to get a good night’s rest here: http://sharonledwards.com/importance-good-nights-sleep/
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