5 Natural Lifestyle Changes That Will Boost Your Energy

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There is nothing worse than waking up tired and groggy, forcing yourself out of bed to start the day. Having a sleepy mind and exhausted body is one of the most burdensome feelings, and can reduce your productivity tenfold; how can you get anything done when you just want to sleep?

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways to boost your energy that don’t require overloading your body with unnatural supplements, chemicals, and buckets of caffeine. Here are a few ways to naturally boost your energy, so that you wake up in the morning feeling energized, optimistic, and excited to take on your day.

1. Eat Healthily

Sugar is delicious; the cookies on your counter and the ice cream in your freezer and hard to resist, especially when you’re tired and not feeling up to cooking yourself a meal. However, eating foods with a low glycemic index — such as high-fiber vegetables, nuts, lean meats, and whole grains — will help boost your energy throughout the day, avoiding that lag in energy that you’ll inevitably experience after eating a high sugar treat.

But these foods don’t have to be bland and boring; healthy foods can make for delicious treats, too. For example, if you’re an oatmeal fan and wondering is oatmeal good for you, it is — you’ll just need to leave off that scrumptious brown sugar topping. Instead, make a delicious oatmeal breakfast topped with peanut butter, fruit, and a dash of maple syrup. You won’t even miss that refined sugar.

2. Exercise

Introducing exercise into your regular routine is important in boosting your energy. Not only does exercise release endorphins, improving your mood, but it will also help you sleep better. When you expend the energy it takes to exercise, you will be exhausted at the end of the day and drift off to sleep easily. Additionally, exercising can help maintain your weight and improve oxygen circulation, two things that also help keep energy levels high.

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3. Control Your Stress

You know stress doesn’t feel good, but you might not know how much it can negatively affect your energy levels. Stress-induced emotions eat up your energy and can leave you exhausted and drained at the end of the day. Stress and anxieties can also block sleep and keep you up for hours into the night. To diffuse this stress, try engaging in relaxation therapies such as yoga, tai chi, jogging, meditation, or journaling.

4. Limit Smoking and Alcohol

Alcohol and smoking have their own negative health effects, but they can both work to diminish your energy. The nicotine in a cigarette is a stimulant, which means it raises your blood pressure, speeds up your heart rate, and stimulates brain activity, making it difficult to fall asleep. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a sedative, so drinking during the day can undercut your energy levels and make you sleepy. However, if you want to enjoy a glass of red wine a couple of hours before going to bed, then feel free; drinking a bit of alcohol in moderation when you want to wind down doesn’t hurt.

5. Drink Lots of Water

Drinking lots of water should be a priority throughout the day, as water is the most important nutrient your body needs to function. When you don’t get enough water in your system, you will feel fatigued; lack of water can even bring on headaches, stomach aches, or muscle aches. If you start feeling a mid-day slump, the first thing you should try is to chug a glass of water — it might be what you need to perk you up.

You’ve seen countless advertisements for chemical-riddled supplements and energy drinks that will boost your energy, but the reality is that you don’t need them. Follow these simple, natural steps and you’ll wake up feeling energized, you’ll be energized throughout the day, and at night, you’ll crawl into bed tired and ready to slip into dreams.