7 Habits That Will Drastically Improve Your Energy Levels
Woke up feeling exhausted?Can’t get over that afternoon slump?These could be signs that various lifestyle factors are compromising your energy levels, leading to mental confusion and utter exhaustion.
When people are always busy, it can be difficult to find ways to regain their energy.Often, low energy can be addressed by making simple changes to your daily life.
According to experts, the following seven habits are supported by research to boost your energy:
Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Not surprisingly, emotional stress can make you feel less active.
Stress has a huge impact on your health.If you feel elevated stress levels, this can definitely lead to a lack of energy.
So what can you do to combat uncontrolled stress and boost your energy levels?Finding ways to incorporate meditation or mindfulness into daily life is crucial, even if it’s only for five minutes a day.Finding coping techniques that work for you – like journaling or reading something that brings you joy – can help you de-stress and feel more energized.
Limit caffeine intake.
When you feel tired, you may be tempted to have a third or fourth cup of coffee later in the day to refresh yourself.However, drinking too much caffeine can have the opposite effect and make you drowsy.
If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages throughout the day, it’s likely to affect your sleeping habits.This in turn affects your energy levels.
It’s worth noting that a sudden reduction in caffeinated beverage intake can also make you feel tired at first.The body is used to caffeine as a stimulant, and when the body doesn’t have caffeine, you may feel low on energy.
Most experts recommend gradually reducing the amount of caffeine in your diet until you find what works best for you – and don’t drink another cup of coffee even when tempted.
Practice good sleep hygiene and get into a routine.
There is no doubt that getting enough sleep is key to boosting your energy throughout the day.However, your energy level is not only affected by the amount of sleep you get each night, but also by the quality of that sleep.
Developing good sleep habits can help you sleep better, which in turn makes you more refreshed the next day.Sleep habits include habits such as developing a regular bedtime routine and dimming the lights at night.It’s also important to clear your mind by doing nighttime activities that relax you.
Even with good sleep hygiene practices, you may find yourself waking up feeling tired.This may indicate the presence of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, do not hesitate to see your doctor.
Move your body throughout the day.
Try to incorporate exercise into your daily life – even if it’s just a small amount.Studies have shown that daily exercise and movement are essential to boosting energy levels.You don’t have to lift weights or run five miles a day to get energized by exercise.
Even low-intensity exercise increases oxygen flow and hormone levels, which boosts your energy.
Drink lots of water.
Dehydration is a common cause of energy deficiency.The science behind this is very simple: Our red blood cells carry oxygen.Ideally, full, rounded red blood cells can fully carry oxygen.When we are dehydrated, red blood cells shrink, which reduces the ability of the cells to carry a full load of oxygen.Low oxygen levels manifest as fatigue, irritability and restlessness.
If you’re having trouble keeping an eye on how much water you’re drinking, consider trying something like purchasing a smart water bottle to make sure you’re drinking enough water each day.
Pay attention to screen time at night and during the day.
It almost goes without saying that too much screen time at night can disrupt your natural sleep cycle and your energy for the next day.Spending too much time on your cell phone, computer or watching TV can disrupt the neurotransmitters necessary for sleep and recovery, which can lead to fatigue.
However, time spent looking at your phone or computer during the day can also have a detrimental effect on your energy levels.Too much screen time can lead to eye strain, which can trigger headaches and make it harder to concentrate.
We live in a digital world, so staring at a screen for long periods of time is inevitable for most people.Adopting the habit of the “20-20-20 rule” is one step toward solving fatigue.According to the Harvard Business Review, “When you’re using your laptop, take a break every 20 minutes.Look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds to give your eyes a chance to relax.”
Avoid skipping meals.
If you’ve ever skipped breakfast or worked all the way through your lunch break, you may find yourself more lethargic than usual.While skipping a meal is completely normal, setting a goal to eat nutritious regular meals and snacks throughout the day can boost your energy levels.
Your brain needs nutrients to function properly.Many people don’t eat, and their blood sugar levels fluctuate up and down throughout the day.
Stay away from fad diets that encourage people to drastically reduce their calorie intake or eliminate essential nutrients like carbohydrates.This will leave you with low energy.
While it’s common to occasionally wake up feeling low on energy, chronic fatigue can indicate an underlying health problem.
If you are eating well, getting enough sleep, and incorporating movement and exercise into your daily life, but still feel tired for more than two weeks, you should consider contacting a medical professional.A “steady decline in energy can indicate a range of mental and physical health problems, from fairly mild to severe.
Ultimately, boosting your energy usually comes down to taking inventory of the various activities and current habits that may be exhausting you.Making a few simple changes to your daily routine could be the key to beating fatigue once and for all.