Energy is something you can never really have enough of.
If you’re like me, your energy is at a premium, and you never seem to have enough of it. The demands of being a mother, a surgeon, and an athlete take a lot out of me each day, and I’m always trying to find ways to supplement my energy levels in natural ways.
Our bodies were designed to constantly create energy, but with the amount that we burn each day, most of us are spending our lives in a deficit. Coffee helps in the short term, in fact it has basically saved my life on multiple occasions. That being said, we can’t ignore that caffeine is a drug, and there are other, more natural ways to create more energy in your day to day.
Here are six ways to naturally boost your energy levels.
Regulate your sleep schedule. The most important thing you can do to maintain your energy is to get the same amount of sleep every night, and to go to sleep at the same time. Our circadian rhythms greatly affect how much energy we have during the day, so a regulated sleep schedule is necessary for your overall health.
Don’t skip meals. The food we eat is the fuel our bodies use to create energy, so a regulated eating schedule will also help create more energy. Skipping processed foods in favor of whole, nutritious options, and making sure you eat regularly throughout the day will help keep your energy levels in the green.
READ MORE: Attention All Coffee Addicts! How to Maintain Your Energy Without Caffeine
Adjust your sugar intake. Sugar highs are a quick, easy fix towards energy, but processed and refined sugar is also really bad for you. Ditching the ho-hos in favor of fresh berries and fruit will give you longer-lasting energy.
Work Out. Besides a regular sleeping schedule, working out regularly is the second best way to support your energy levels. If you’ve ever gone to the gym when you were dead tired, and left feeling energized you understand this concept. Now just rinse and repeat.
Stay Hydrated. Dehydration has a profound effect on energy levels and muscle performance, and yet 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. So if you want energy, drink water. It’s really that simple.
Stop Smoking. The toxins in smoke can greatly reduce your lung capacity, which can contribute to low energy levels. Despite all the other reasons to quit smoking, having more energy during the day is well worth the effort.