Can you think back to those days as a child? To all of those moments in life that were loaded with energy? Where did it all go?
Of course, much has changed as an adult. But here’s the good news! There are many opportunities to gain back some of that child-like energy into your daily routine. Check out these 7 effective strategies that are surefire to improve the amount of energy you have each day!
#1: Make exercise a priority
How are you supposed to exercise when your energy supply is so low?
Taking that first step into exercising routinely might be exhausting initially, but it’s an excellent option for long term energy. Regular exercise can help put your body into deeper sleep at nighttime. And of course, when you get better quality sleep, you’ll feel more rested and loaded with energy for the next day!
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day to maximize the effects of exercise for your energy levels.
#2: Reduce your stress load
From the ongoing demands of a job to managing family relationships, simply being an adult has many stressors attached to it. Especially in an era of advanced technology and instantaneous information, it’s easy for your mind to constantly be going, jumping from one stressor to the other.
Chronic stress can actually deplete large amounts of energy, particularly in your brain, leading to a feeling of absolute exhaustion.
When we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, many times it’s because we have a large list of things that all need our attention at once. Try and write down what is making you feel stressed.
By separating everything into a list, it gives your brain the opportunity to actually manage the load better because you can focus on accomplishing one thing at a time rather than inefficiently jumping from one problem to another.
#3: Practice mindfulness
Clearly stress has such a huge impact on your energy levels that it deserves another talking point and actionable step. Aside from writing your stressor out in a list, how else can you manage your stress load better?
One of the best things you can do is start taking at least 30 minutes a day to practice mindfulness.
What is mindfulness? It’s your mind’s ability to actually be present in the immediate moment rather than focusing on an external stressor.
For example, say it’s your daughter’s birthday and you are celebrating with her at the park. Mindfulness would be the practice of enjoying every moment with your daughter without allowing your mind to think about that big client you just won at work or what you are going to cook for dinner or if you have enough funds to go on that vacation.
While that doesn’t sound too challenging, if you actually try this, you would likely find that it is extremely difficult. That’s where training your mind comes into place, aka mindfulness.
So how do you practice mindfulness? It’s overall a simple process and can be done anywhere at any time. I personally recommend turning your cell phone off (I know, challenging right!) and sitting in a quiet spot away from distractions. Try to relax and let your mind only focus on where you are in that exact moment. Try to avoid thinking about anything in the past or the future.
This simple practice can relieve your brain of the constant thought and stress it goes through every single day. Once you add this into your daily routine, you will be astonished at how much your energy levels explode through the roof!
To get the most out of your mindfulness sessions, check out these best practices.
#4: Drink more water
Did you know that the human body is made up of over 60% water? This stat alone should tell you how important water is for our body to function well.
But when it comes to energy, hydration couldn’t be more important! That’s because our cells literally use water to create the energy they need to function day to day. In fact, lack of water is the number one factor that causes a decrease in athletic performance.
To optimize your energy levels, you should be drinking at least half your body weight in ounces of water on a daily basis.
#5: Eat more complex carbohydrates
Everyone has heard of the sugar high. And we most certainly know about the sugar crash as well.
Sugar is a very easy molecule for our body to digest and absorb which is why it leads to a quick boost in energy. But the problem is that it’s not a sustainable source of energy because we can go through it so quickly.
More complex foods like quinoa, oatmeal, and brown rice take much longer to digest in the body, which provide a longer lasting boost to our energy levels without the crash.
#6: Take a daytime nap
If you are truly on the go from dawn to dusk, then giving your body a break during the day is imperative. We all know what the midday slump feels like. A nap is the perfect opportunity for your body to quickly recharge and perform well in the second half of the day.
So how long should you nap for?
Research suggests no more than 20 minutes. That’s because that length of time puts your brain into the first phase of sleep, which will leave you refreshed and alert for the second half of the day. Naps much longer than that start to increase the risk of going into deeper sleep, which can ultimately make it harder to get up, leaving you feeling more groggy rather than energized.
If you are going to nap, make sure to try and keep it on a rhythmic schedule each day. This will help prevent your naps from interfering with your sleep schedule.
#7: Sit in an Infrared Sauna
For that cherry on top, the infrared sauna is a great way to boost your energy levels. An infrared sauna emits light waves that are chalked full of energy, which are directly absorbed by your body.
Just like a plant thrives when it absorbs sunlight, your body too can benefit from the abundance of energy emitted from infrared light. Effects on your energy levels are noticeable almost immediately after a session.
For a maximal boost to your energy, try doing a mindfulness session in the infrared sauna.
The bottom line
Feeling tired or sluggish is no fun. By prioritizing how your mind thinks and other healthy habits like drinking more water, you’ll feel a surge in energy in no time.
Take a look into your lifestyle and see where things can be improved to maximize the amount of energy you have in each day!
Important Note: At RISE Modern Wellness, we love helping people feel better than ever before. With our approach to modern wellness, every client receives access to the newest technology to help them feel their best. View a full list of our energy boosting services here!
