Natural Energizers

As we run from our day to day activities, it’s hard to keep up the necessary energy to be successful in everything we hope to accomplish. For many, fatigue means a morning cup of coffee (or two) is essential to get them through the day. The truth is that fatigue is often a symptom of other more serious issues. In the long run, masking tiredness with a few cups of coffee isn’t the best choice for our health. So what can we do?

Really, we have to look towards the root cause of our fatigue. Obviously it is natural to feel exhausted at the end of a long day and sleeping is a very essential part of our day. But low energy and exhaustion is not something to ignore. Check out some of these tips for natural ways to increase your energy:

Yoga and meditation
Have you ever realized just how energized you feel after a great yoga class? There are a few reasons why you feel ready to conquer your day once your yoga practice ends. First, deep breathing enhances the supply of oxygen giving your brain a shot of the oxygen it needs to perform. Second, your body is moving and your blood is pumping; making the exchange of oxygen within the body easier. In addition, Yoga releases stuck energies that have built up along the spine. It’s a great way to fully awaken your whole nervous system and bring energy into your body.

Add a yoga class to your morning routine if time allows; especially on weekends when you have the rest of the day to be productive. Schedule a private yoga class at a time that aligns with your schedule. Morning yoga sessions will get you prepared to fully embrace the day ahead. If it is hard to find the time in the morning, ending your day with yoga with perhaps some meditation is a great way to lead into restful sleep.

Eliminate Coffee and Increase Water
Does it sound counter-intuitive? It might be scary to eliminate the very thing that is giving you the energy to begin with, but coffee or caffeinated tea has the potential to cause more harm than good. When consumed in excess, caffeine is dehydrating and those energy surges are often followed by crashes. Increasing your water intake helps the cells in your body to perform at high capacity. Dehydrated cells are tired cells. If you MUST consume caffeine, drink it with lots of water and stick with straight black. Sugared lattes or cappuccinos will only make your crash worse. Which brings us to another point…

Eliminate Processed Foods and Sugar
It is definitely something that is easier said than done; however processed foods and sugars can wreak havoc on your energy levels, leaving you lethargic and sleepy. Cutting out the empty calories in sugar is good for a multitude of reasons. Frequent sugar consumption results in spikes of energy followed by inevitable crashes in blood sugar. Chances are you are experiencing anxiety, poor concentration, irritability, and emotional fluctuation. Switching to whole foods and keeping sugar intake in check will allow your body to consume more nutrient dense foods – which are better for long lasting energy.