Some people have truckloads of energy and can go at full speed from the minute they wake up until the minute they go to bed late at night. But, a lot of people struggle to just make it through the day with enough oomph to say hello to the family before nodding out on the couch.
So, how do you become one of the people that has so much vim and vigor that the Energizer bunny looks like a slouch? Here are seven very easy ways to transform yourself from tired and cranky to light and lively:
1. Drink more water
This one tiny aspect is often overlooked but largely responsible for a tremendous amount of fatigue. If your body doesn’t have enough water to function efficiently and effectively, you’re going to feel the effects – one of which is a major lack of energy.
In addition, it’s easy to mistake thirst and hunger because the cues are very similar. So, if your body needs more water but you feed it food instead, not only are you still not supplying the very thing it needs but you’re also likely taking in too many calories. The result, over time, is weight gain which can zap your energy levels as well.
Avoid this whole scenario by drinking 8-10 eight ounce glasses of water each and every day. In fact, you’ll give yourself a great energy-boosting start to the day if you drink a full glass of water right when you first get out of bed. Your body is going to be low after a long night’s sleep, so start it out on the right foot.
2. Pay attention to your caffeine intake
While caffeine can certainly get you going, take in too much of it and you may have just the opposite effect. Your body will attempt to counteract the rush in your system so even though you may initially feel your energy flow, it will soon be replaced by a drop in which you feel lethargic and ready to go back to sleep.
It’s similar to what happens if you take in too much sugar. Your blood glucose levels spike too high too quickly and then they drop so low that you start looking for your next “fix” to get that good feeling back. It’s a vicious cycle that not only takes your energy for a ride, but also your mood, patience and all-around good nature.
That’s what makes energy drinks so hard on your body – they hit both your caffeine and blood sugar, making them doubly bad when it comes to trying to feel more energetic on a long term basis.
A cup of coffee or two in the morning isn’t going to hurt you. In fact, it will likely get you going. But, take in more than that and you may be doing yourself more harm than good. Also, if you tend to reach for more caffeine in the afternoon hours, you may be affecting your quality (and amount) of sleep at night which can make your energy nose-dive as well. So, make noon your cutoff so that doesn’t happen.
3. Eat enough protein
This one category of food is not only good for your muscles, but it’s also great for your energy levels. Protein gives you what you need to be able to go from sun up until sun down, even with some energy to spare.
How much should you get? Ideally, you want anywhere from 10-35% of your daily caloric intake to come from protein sources. And, to keep your energy level stable throughout the day, you’re going to want to include it at every meal.
Protein comes in many forms. Of course, the most well-known is meat. Whether you’re eating beef, chicken, pork or any other form, you’re sure to get a good amount of protein in your diet. Fish is another great source, some of which contain Omega 3 fatty acids (like salmon and tuna) that are good for other areas of your health as well.
If you’re a vegetarian or not big on meat, you still have other options. Some additional high protein foods include cottage cheese, beans, cheese, nuts, yogurt and eggs. Eat foods like these and you’re sure to notice an increase in your level of oomph.
4. Schedule something fun
Sometimes your energy may feel drained because you think you don’t have anything to look forward too. You’re going through the motions of life, but not really living, if that makes any sense. So, maybe it’s time to give yourself something to get excited about.
Think about how well this works with children. If you schedule a fun-filled vacation, for instance, that’s all they can talk and think about. Chances are good that you’ll hear about what they’re going to do and how great it’s going to be day in and day out until it actually occurs. Why? Because they can’t wait to have some fun!
Well, the same is true for you. You may just need some future event that stirs up the good feelings in the pit of your tummy. Something that makes you smile every time you think about it because it excites every cell in your body.
It doesn’t have to be a huge event like a month long vacation to a faraway land either. I mean, if you can pull that off, great. Go for it. But, even a small, event like a prescheduled day off from work to go someplace you’ve never been works wonders too. Or, you could sign up for a class that interests you and keep your energy levels high week after week as you look forward to the next session and what you’ll learn.
5. Let go of the little things
If you spend a lot of time worrying about things that simply don’t matter in the larger scheme of life, then you’re probably draining your own energy. It’s like turning a flashlight on and then putting it away in the drawer. You waste its power and it’s not going to be there when you actually need it.
Stressing about the little things will do nothing other than wreak havoc on your life. It makes mountains out of molehills and creates drama when that is the last thing you need. Get rid of these little nuances and you’re going to feel better physically and emotionally.
When you feel something dragging you down, ask yourself if it matters in the long run. If it doesn’t, then let it go. On the contrary, if it is important to your future, then ask yourself if you have control over it. Again, if you don’t, then you need to just come to terms with it and accept it for what it is.
If, however, you can change the situation, then do it. You will feel more empowered and energetic just because you took some action and quit leaving your life in destiny’s hands.
6. Exercise
Although it may be the very last thing you want to do when you’re feeling tired and drained, exercise will actually help boost you up. It releases feel good endorphins not only during your exercise session, but for the rest of the day as well.
Not to mention that it always feels good to do something positive for your body and health. When you know you’ve accomplished something great, like working out, it puts you in a much better place mentally. It’s like being able to cross an item off your to-do list; you let go of the guilt for not doing it and are able to continue on with your day.
Make it a point to follow some sort of regular exercise routine and not only will you have an easier time making it through your day to day activities because you’ll have more pep in your step, but you may just drop a pound or two which will work in your favor as well. It’s like a two-for-one.
7. Fake it
If you just can’t seem to pull together enough energy to get yourself off the couch, then just fake that you have energy. You know, pretend that you’re loaded with so much liveliness that you’re overflowing with it. Essentially, you are tricking your mind to believe something that isn’t real which ultimately becomes real if you believe it long enough.
So, if you find that you’re feeling overly tired or worn out, simply fake that you’re not. Tell yourself that you have more than enough energy and you’re lively and full of life. The results are pretty much instantaneous…giving you more energy than you ever dreamt possible.
Just because you don’t feel very energetic right this moment doesn’t mean that this is how you should live your life. Try these seven suggestions and you may just find yourself bouncing off the walls – in a good way, of course.
Add Comment