Lots of us want to have more energy. Busy lives juggling work, family, and social life can mean that we feel tired all the time. Go into any store and you’ll see a huge range of products promising to make you feel more awake. Luckily, there are lots of things that you can to do to have more energy without turning to energy drinks or caffeine.
- Control stress. Being stressed uses up a lot of energy. Talk to a loved one, join a support group, or see a therapist to help you learn to handle stress and diffuse it when it builds up. You can also try therapies like meditation, self-hypnosis, yoga, or tai chi.
- Lighten your workload. The reason most of us are tired is that we’re overworked. Overwork can include professional, family, and social obligations. Try to cut down on your to-do list. Set priorities in terms of the most important tasks, and pare down those that are less important. Ask for help if you need it.
- Exercise. Exercise means you will sleep better. It also gives your cells more energy to use and circulates oxygen. Exercise releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, where are hormones that make you feel energized. A brisk walk is a good place to start.
- Don’t smoke. We all know that smoking is bad for your health, but it can actually cause insomnia too. The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant, so your heart rate speeds up, your blood pressure is raised and your brain is stimulated, so you will find it harder to fall asleep. Cravings can wake you up too, so you feel even more tired.
- Restrict your sleep. If you think you’re sleep-deprived, you can try getting less sleep. This sounds strange, but you can determine how much sleep you need by reducing the amount of time that you spend in bed not sleeping. This will make it easier to fall asleep and sleep better. Don’t nap during the day. The first night, go to bed later than normal and get four hours of sleep. If you slept well that night, add another thirty minutes of sleep the next night. As long as you’re sleeping well, keep adding thirty minutes a night until you find the best amount for you.
- Eat for energy. Eat small meals and snacks every few hours instead of three large meals. This keeps you supplied with nutrients and energy all day. Add supplements like an organic hemp seed oil, and eat plenty of whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and oils like olive oil. Eat foods with a low glycemic index. Usually, these are proteins and fat, whereas high-carbohydrate foods have the highest glycemic index.
You can get more energy without needing more sleep, or needing to turn to stimulants like caffeine. With better sleep, healthier habits, the right kind of foods, and exercise, you can feel more alert, have better concentration, and feel much better rested and more energetic all day long.
