This is post #1 in a 3 part energy boosting series.
In this 3 week series I’m going to provide you with tips and recipes to help you to boost your energy so that you can feel more productive and have energy to keep up with your hectic lifestyle.
Here are the other two posts in this series:
Click here for post #2 Quick and Healthy High Energy Breakfast Smoothie
Click here for post #3 All Natural Energy Drink + How to Juice Without a Juicer
Enjoy post #1 below!
Take your hand off that snooze button!
Want to have more energy and regain the child like energy you once had?
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that if I asked you if you wanted or desperately needed more energy your answer would be a HELLLLL YES!!!
A lack of energy is something that most of my clients and readers have told me that they’re struggling with, especially during long, dark, cold winter days.
When you have more energy, you feel more productive and that you’re getting the most out of life. Think about it, everything is easier to do in life when you just have more energy.
Since there’s a bit of a low energy epidemic out there these days, I decided to give y’all a 3-part energy series! That’s right over the next 3 weeks I’m going to giving you the low down on how to have more energy to make it through the day.
At the end of the 3 weeks, you’ll have tons of tips on how to feel more focused so you can jump out of bed feeling like you can conquer the world.
It all starts with these 5 energy hacks to get more energy.
If video is more your thing, then check out my video below where I share the same tips that you’re about to read below.
The tips I’m about to share with you will help you to get through your morning and workday without feeling sluggish.
Listen up because I’m going to sharing a few things that you may not have never heard before and that will have you looking beyond that cup of coffee for a jolt of energy.
1. Get a Little Caffeine – But Don’t Over-Caffeinate
A little caffeine is good to stimulate your mind.
Let’s face it sometimes you’re up late the night before watching a triple header of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder and you’re tired the next day. Maybe you’re working on a project at work that is zapping all of your energy. Perhaps you’re a new mom with a teething baby that just won’t sleep no matter what you do.
Why not look to other sources of caffeine instead other than coffee.
Yerba Mate tea has been called the ‘Tea of the Gods’. It’s a natural stimulant that gives you an even amount of energy without the crash. It’s native to South America and is from the dried leaves of an evergreen holly.
Not only will it increase your energy, but it will increase your mental focus as well. It has less caffeine than coffee and it won’t cause you to get jittery or interfere with your sleep.
It’s also packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. It’s also great for digestion and can help with weight loss.
The best place to grab it, is at your local health food store.
2. Get Moving
I get it the last thing you want to do when you’re tired is move more than you have to. You’re probably having a hard enough time putting one leg in front of the other as it is.
Well, moving is the BEST thing you can do to get more energy. Even just 10 minutes a day will make a big difference.
Get up 15 minutes earlier and squeeze in a quick workout, every little bit counts. A morning workout gets your blood pumping and moves oxygen through the body.
Working out will also send more nutrients to your body’s cells which will not only help to torch your muffin top but will help your heart and lungs to work more efficiently and boost your energy levels. Jump some rope and do some squats and push ups in the morning. If you had doing push ups like me do wall push ups instead.
Try going for a walk during the day. Some fresh air on your face and a change of scenery outside of your cubicle could be just what you need for more energy. Take your conference call on the road and go for a walk while you take that call.
3. Get More Sleep
Don’t roll your eyes. Let’s face it, your productivity tanks when you get no sleep.
Try to establish a regular sleep pattern going to bed and waking at the same time every day. When you’re sleeping, your body is repairing the day’s damage.
A great tip is to start a wind down routine. 30 minutes before bed do something that clears your mind and the clutter from the day. Turn all the lights down low, light some candles, have a bath or curl into a bed with a book 30 minutes before you nod off. This will help to increase your body’s melatonin which will signal to your body that it’s time to rest.
Ever feel like even when you do get 7 or 8 hours of sleep, you still wake up feeling exhausted? Then you may need to consider optimizing your sleep cycles.
When you sleep, you cycle between REM and no REM sleep, with each cycle being about 75 to 90 minutes. Each phase is tied to helping to detoxify and regenerate your body and organs.
Things like stress, elevated cortisol and roller coaster blood sugar levels can really throw off your sleep cycles. To fix it try getting some sunlight as soon as you wake up. If it’s still dark when you wake up throw on the light as soon as you wake up. There are also special alarm clocks that you can buy now which simulate sunlight. Some of my clients have sworn by this. You can find them on Amazon.
Also focus on eating foods that keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day. There are a few key nutrients you should have in your diet for great sleep, including vitamin D and potassium. Check out this post and this recipe.
Also figure out what amount of sleep works best for you to be alert the next day. I’m not such a fan of the hard 8 hours of sleep rule. Some people need 7 while others need 7 and a half. Vary your amounts of sleep and find out what works best for you.
No one person is the same in their sleeping routine and different people can’t sleep for different reasons. My friend used to have sleepless nights because she didn’t feel safe in her own house, so she decided to install outdoor home security cameras to give her peace of mind. Whatever causes your lack of sleep, there’s a solution.
4. Adaptogens
Adaptogens are healing herbs or plants that help your body to manage stress by regulating your adrenals. Your adrenals control the way that your body responds to stress.
Adaptogens help your entire body cope with stress, anxiety, and, of course, fatigue. All of the things which tank your energy and metabolism.
Some of the best adaptogen to get more energy include: ashwagandha, ginseng, holy basil, maca and chaga.
I love to add these adaptogens to my daily routine anytime I’m feeling stressed and run down and find that it makes a huge difference in my mood and energy levels.
I have some great posts on the blog where I describe the benefits of maca and chaga in particular in more details. I’ve used chaga in a chocolate latte and maca in my breakfast bowl.
Incorporating adaptogenic herbs into your daily routine will help you feel calmer, less exhausted, and more alert.
5. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil gives you an instant energy boost and increases your focus in one sniff. Peppermint essential oil increases oxygen to the brain, which stimulates your mind and increases your focus, giving you more energy.
You can buy it online now and can even get it as a roll on. Dap a little on your temples and your wrists when your energy is low for an instant boost.
So, because I love giving you guys tips, I have a bonus tip!
Bonus!
Stay Hydrated by Drinking More Water
One of the first signs of dehydration is feeling sluggish and tired. Since our bodies are made up of mostly water, not getting enough can tank your energy.
Okay so have you ever had a plant that you haven’t watered in a while and looks droopy from neglect? I bet you noticed that as soon as you give it some water it perks up within minutes. That’s what happens to your body when you’re not getting enough water it shrivels up and becomes sluggish.
Try to drink 6 cups of water throughout the day and 2 more when you get home. Done – you’ll have your water intake for the day and will have more energy to do all the things you need to do.