Natural Ways to Boost Energy

Being exhausted can be, well, exhausting.  Having low energy can make you cranky and irritable as well as leaving you susceptible to chronic illnesses.  Whether you’re tired from a lack of sleep, busy schedule, or a contributing medical illness, being tired will affect you both physically and mentally.  There are several products on the market that are geared to boosting your energy through caffeine and other chemicals.  While these provide a quick boost of energy, their long term effects can be damaging to your health.  There are several ways to boost your energy naturally without having to use chemicals or medications.

Natural Ways to Boost Energy

The most obvious way to boost your energy is to make sure you are getting adequate sleep.  This includes making sure you practice proper sleep hygiene.  Interrupted sleep as well as lack of sleep will lead to fatigue.  Making sure the area you sleep in is free from noise, bright light, and other interruptions will help you stay asleep. Here are more natural ways to fall asleep.

In addition to getting more restful sleep, the following steps can help increase your energy.

• Take a walk – It sounds counter-intuitive but increasing physical activity will actually increase your energy.  Just a walk around the block/building/treadmill will help you increase your energy and alertness. Here are some indoor exercises for when the weather is bad and tips for fitting exercise into a busy schedule.

• Eat Healthy – This includes not skipping meals.  Healthy well balanced meals help provide the energy you need to get through the day.  When you are particularly tired, eating a snack high in protein along with some fat and fiber will help pick you up. Here are some tips for eating healthy on the go.

• Increase Magnesium Intake – Magnesium is essential for many body functions and a slight deficiency can cause you to feel sluggish and lose focus on tasks.  A handful of nuts or eating whole grains will help replenish your magnesium levels.

• Take a Nap – Studies show that a quick nap of at least 20 minutes, but no more than 60 minutes, is enough to recharge your batteries.

• Drink Water – Thirst will mask itself as fatigue.  Drinking 8-20 ounces of water should help hydrate you and increase energy.  Continue to stay hydrated to keep fatigue at bay.

• Decrease Sugar Intake/Increase Whole Grains – Keeping your blood sugar consistent is key to staying energized.  When you consume sugar your blood sugar spikes then falls causing a “crash” in energy.

• Reduce stress – Stress and anxiety are huge energy zappers.  Taking steps to decrease stress will help increase your energy level.  If you work in a high stress job, taking steps for proper self-care will decrease your fatigue. If your stress leads to headaches, here are some natural ways to relieve headaches.

The amount of energy you have fluctuates with what you have going on in your life.  You will go through periods were you will have all the energy to spare and periods were opening your eyes exhausts you.  If you find that you are constantly tired or excessively sleepy during the day and nothing seems to help, be sure to contact your doctor.  It’s possible that you have an underlying thyroid condition or other medical condition to could be contributing to your fatigue.  As always be sure to consult a doctor before making any changes to your health and wellness routines.

More Natural Health Articles:

• The Health Benefits of Chia Seeds
• The Health Benefits of Coconut Oil
• The Health Benefits of Turmeric
• The Health Benefits of Flax Seeds
• The Health Benefits of Fish Oil
• 20 Frugal Ways to Use Coconut Oil

 Alicia can be found on her blog Moms Don’t Say That where she share recipes, tips, and musings from her life.