8 Natural Ways to Increase Your Energy

Lisa Franchi March 18, 2013

We all live in a very busy world. If you’re like most people, you must have experienced staying awake overnight just to accomplish piles of work, counting on coffee, energy drinks, some crisps and cigarettes to keep yourself alert even though your body is telling you it needs to rest.

But these things are less likely to keep your energy high especially during the times when you need it the most. Too much coffee can be bad for your health, energy drinks contain lots of sugar and harmful ingredients, crisps are high in sodium and preservatives, and cigarettes as we know it, are among the most dangerous and poisonous drugs on earth. So what are the best and safe ways to overcome fatigue and maintain your energy levels?

Make your diet protein-rich.

While carbohydrates can keep you full and energised, its effects can be temporary and not enough to sustain your physical activities within the day. Experts recommend eating foods that are high in protein, including eggs, beans, milk, and lean meat. To keep your blood sugar levels normal, it can be helpful to eat small servings of healthy food every 3 to 4 hours. Instead of the sugary donut, munch on nuts and peas, snack on fruits and vegetables, or have a slice of whole wheat bread.

Keep your gut clean and healthy.

You may not know it but the condition of your gut does have a huge effect on your energy levels. If you frequently experience fatigue and bloating, you may be suffering from leaky gut syndrome, a condition in which the lining of the intestines becomes weaken, causing its contents to escape and enter the bloodstream. This results to energy-draining symptoms such as headache, fatigue, and food sensitivity. Doctors recommend drinking 8 glasses of water or more, cutting back on alcohol, and avoiding aspirin use. Eating fibre-rich foods is also essential in keeping your gut healthy.

Get quality sleep.

If you lack sleep, you are less likely to have enough energy needed for your activities the next day. If you have problems falling asleep, consider undergoing therapies, or adapting healthy sleeping habits such as: keeping your room clean and cool, avoiding TV and electronic use before bedtime, and going to bed and getting up at the same time.

Have sex more often

Regular sex is a very efficient strategy to bust off fatigue. It lowers down your stress levels, boosts your immune system, helps you burn more calories, and reduce your risk of being depressed. Sex doesn’t always have to be done at night. In fact, most experts recommend doing it in the morning for a zestful day!

Work out.

The less exercise you do, the more you become prone to fatigue. While any type of exercise will do, it is more beneficial to practise those that will make you sweat to the max, such as running, cycling, and boxing. Don’t have time to exercise? Try HIIT workout (high intensity interval training). You can do HIIT exercises for less than 20 minutes every other day and get the same benefits of exercising for long hours.

See if you have problems with your thyroid.

One of the most common symptoms of underactive thyroid is severe fatigue. Other symptoms are anxiety, mood swing, and weight gain. This condition affects 2 per cent of women and .02 per cent of men in Britain, and majority of them are 50 years old and above. If you often experience fatigue along with the other symptoms mentioned here, see your doctor immediately.

Learn some coping strategies for PMS

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) may come with fatigue. To beat this debilitating symptom, health experts recommend eating foods that are high on fibre, avoiding salt and caffeine, practising yoga, or Pilates, and considering herbal remedies like magnesium supplements, vitamin B6, etc.

Seek professional help

Lack of energy can be a sign of a more serious disease. If you’ve tried all these steps but nothing has changed, consult a specialist right away. Undergoing medical tests may be the key to finding the real cause of your fatigue and getting the best form of treatment.

Dear Readers,

What other natural ways can you think of that can help to boost energy?

Share your comments below!