Most Americans feel overworked and exhausted. They face long commutes to and from work, they are dual household earners so both parents struggle to get the kids to school on time, and at the end of the day, they are faced with an endless supply of household chores such as cleaning and cooking dinner. A cup of coffee doesnโt cut it so what else can you do to naturally get energy?
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Learn How to Naturally Get Energy?
Life can cause you to feel tired
For centuries, coffee and tea have been the steadfast go-to cure for lagging energy. You can pour yourself a cup of caffeine-laced beverage for a fast pick-me-up every morning or even mid-day. However, what do you do when itโs not doing the trick? Luckily, you have other options to naturally get energy.
Control Your Stress Level
If you have noticed that your sails are deflated lately then it might be due to stress. With the world facing the COVID-19 pandemic, stress is at an all-time high. People are worried about the virus, work, bills, schooling for their kids, and loved ones. Stress is spiraling out of control.
Stress takes a huge amount of mental and physical energy. It can take a dramatic toll on your mental and physical health.
Ways to control stress include:
- Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or professional
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Self-hypnosis
- Taking me-time
Exercise to Naturally Get Energy
The commute to work is an exhausting nightmare for many
Daily exercising helps you gain a good nightโs sleep. Every time you work out, your cells burn energy and help circulate oxygen throughout your body. Exercise can boost brain function and increase dopamine levels which help elevate your mood.
When exercising, you donโt have to hit the gym hard. Instead, opt to go for a leisurely walk or do something else that you enjoy. Yes, initially it is hard to find the energy to exercise but once you get started then youโll feel renewed and rejuvenated.
Indulging in regular physical activity will increase your bodyโs muscle strength and help your endurance. Your cardiovascular health will also improve as your heart and lung capacity increases. All the physical perks give you more energy daily. No, itโs not an overnight โfixโ but after a week of regular exercise, you will start to see a difference in physical health.
Lighten Your Daily Load
Itโs hard to lighten your load but it can help. Focus on your professional life, social obligations, and family. Make a list of the โmust-do’s vs. the non-crucial tasks in your life. Start to pare down the less important tasks.
Stop Smoking
For decades, the health risks of smoking have been well-publicized. It leads to cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more. However, nicotine also acts as a stimulant. It speeds up your heart rate, stimulates your brain-wave activity, and increases your blood pressure which causes you to feel more wakeful and makes it hard to fall asleep at night. Even after you fall asleep, the addictive power of nicotine can wake you up earlier than normal as your body starts to crave the substance.
If you want to feel more energized then you should stop smoking. You should also avoid other nicotine products such as vaping and chewing which also act in a similar manner in the body. Insomnia is far more prevalent in nicotine users, according toย Harvard Medical School.
Focus on Diet
Eat healthier
Choose to eat foods with a low glycemic index which your body absorbs slowly. The sluggish utilization of such foods helps you avoid the lag that occurs any time you eat high-sugar foods or refined starches. Foods to focus on with a low glycemic index include high fiber vegetables, healthy oils such as olive oil, and an abundance of nuts. Abstain from all high-carbohydrate foods. Also, fats and proteins tend to have a glycemic index that hovers at around zero.
Additional low glycemic foods include:
- Fruits
- Kidney beans
- Bran
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Turkey
- Chicken breast
- Shrimp
- Cod
- Eggs
- Haddock
- Lobster
- Carrots (raw)
Increase Your Consumption of H2O
Drink more water
You do not need a spendy sports drink with potentially spotty or dangerous ingredients to increase your energy level. Instead, choose water. You can naturally get energy with water. Your body craves and needs the crystal-clear liquid. If your body is even slightly dehydrated then you will feel fatigued. Men should drink aboutย 15.5 cups of water per dayย and women should consume 11.5 cups. However, this level can change dramatically depending on your bodyโs size, activity level, and weather conditions.
Remember, every time you breathe, urinate, perspire, or have a bowel movement your body is losing water. You must constantly increase your bodyโs water levels with frequent consumption.
You can meet your bodyโs fluid needs by increasing your consumption of water-laden fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and spinach which are almost all water by weight. Certain beverages such as juice, milk, and herbal teas are also made up of mostly water. Ideally, you should avoid sugar-laden drinks like sodas which are considered unhealthy.
How to know if you are drinking enough fluid?
If you donโt feel thirsty or your urine is colorless/light yellow then you are probably drinking enough water daily.
To naturally get energy, drink water with each meal and even between meals. Make H2O your beverage of choice. Always hydrate with water before, during, and after exercise. Also, drink a glass of water any time you feel thirsty. Listen to your bodyโs signals and youโll be amazed how often it tells you that it needs water. In todayโs fast-paced world, we often ignore the signals of our body.
Restrict Sleep to Naturally Get Energy
You can sleep yourself tired. Get lessย sleepย to feel more awake.
- Avoid taking naps during the day.
- Go to bed later than normal but get up at the same time.
- Remember, if you are sleeping soundly at night then your body is rejuvenating itself. You might start feeling more energetic each day. โ
Try Herbal Remedies
For centuries, naturopathic practitioners have turned toย herbal remediesย to treat a variety of health conditions.
Top herbs to naturally get energy include:
Kratom for Energy
Kratom is obtained from the foliage Mitragyna speciosa tree which grows throughout much of SE Asia. The foliage is cured and then ground into a powder. You can buy it in powder form or as easy-to-use capsules. Nowadays, there are a wide array of brands and strains with varyingย alkaloid levels that dictate potency. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine are the two main alkaloids that occur naturally in the plant and are believed to increase the userโs energy.
Historically, kratom was used by workers in SE Asia to obtain energy for work.ย Kratom users turn to the herb for its energy boost, to relieve pain, and improve cognitive function. However, please be aware that kratom taken in high doses has a narcotic effect that can make you sleepy, so youโll need to find your sweet spot with dosage. Start out low and increase as needed.
Ginseng Increases Physical Performance
Ginseng has become a popular herbal supplement that quickly boosts the energy of the user. It also stimulates the brainโs function and improves physical performance. The active compounds in ginseng include eleutherosides, ginsenosides, and ciwujianosides. Typically taking from 200 to 1,000 mg per day increases energy levels in adults.
Ashwagandha: An Ancient Stimulant
Ayurvedic practitioners have used ashwagandha for centuries to increase brain function and help with energy. Taking 600 mg of ashwagandha root increased the userโs mental alertness and helped improve their sleep quality which is probably why they feel so much more energized and ready to handle whatever the day throws at them.
Guarana a Common Energy Drink Additive
If you drink energy drinks then you have probably noticed that guarana is a common ingredient due to its stimulating effects. It contains varying levels of tannins, caffeine, and saponins which all help boost energy.
The Sage Plant
Native Americans favored the sage plant for added energy and to clear the mind. It contains a few plant compounds such as camphor, apigenin, rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and quercetin.
Bacopa monnieri of Ayurvedic Medicine
The plant Bacopa monnieri grows throughout much of South Asia in marshlands. It is a favorite ingredient in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of memory issues, anxiety, and insomnia. It is believed that the concentration of triterpenoid saponins is the active chemical within the plant that increases alertness and boosts brain function.
Caffeine: A Trusted Energy Booster
Enjoy a classic cup of coffee
Yes, caffeine remains a steadfast energy-boosting friend for many people. In fact, most Americans canโt imagine starting their day out without a cup of coffee and those in the United Kingdom turn to tea. However, you should not consume caffeine in large amounts after 2 pm or it could impact your sleep quality which will make you feel more tired.
If you have questions about kratom or you would like to peruse the various strains and brands of the herb them please visit My Kratom Club. Also,ย contact usย with any questions.