Are you constantly dragging yourself through the day? Dreaming about bedtime or longing for an afternoon nap? Do you overdose on sugar and caffeine in an effort to simply get through the day? If you answer yes to any of those, this article is for you. While everybody’s bodies are different, these are some pretty straightforward tips that everyone will benefit from. So bring on that extra does of energy…
Feed Your Body Better: I think we can all agree that when we fuel our bodies better, we just feel better. Kick off the day with breakfast {don’t skip this meal!} and then try eating smaller meals every 3 hours or so. Fill up on fiber and foods with Omega-3s {salmon and walnuts are a great source of this!} and then, and this one is key, STAY HYDRATED! I know it seems strange that water would help so much, mild dehydration can cause blood to thicken, forcing the heart to pump a lot harder and resulting in a feeling of fatigue. Who knew, right?!
Get Up and Move: Speaking of the heart pumping blood, physical activity increases blood flow to all parts of your body, making you feel more energetic. I’m not talking about killing it in the gym {although if that’s your thing, more power to ya}. It can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or taking a brisk 10-minute walk on your break. You’ll find that it recharges your body and I find that it recharges my mind.
Kick the Caffeine Habit: I know it seems like caffeine is helping you, but it’s just the opposite. You are training your body to require that caffeine boost for extra energy. Untrain it and you’ll be so much happier. Check out my tips on How to Break Your Caffeine Addiction. Once I broke up with caffeine, I actually had so much more energy than before. It kind of blew my mind! Decaf tastes just as good.
Meditate: This one can be simpler than you think. You can take deep breaths sitting at your desk or plop yourself down outside for a few minutes to clear your mind. The simple act of slow, deep breathing or clearing your mind can be incredibly energizing and relaxing. We tend to take shallow breaths when we are stressed or tired. Chest breathing brings less air into the lungs and reduces the supply of energizing oxygen to the body and brain, leaving you physically and mentally drained.
Listen to Music: Music just makes me happy and really helps change the energy in a room. Makes sense that it would also change the amount of energy you have. Studies have shown that music effectively distracts you from feeling fatigue. So crank up those tunes or pop in those earbuds and watch as your energy levels increase.
See Your Doctor: If you’ve tried every trick in the book, followed all the suggestions above and nothing is working, it might be time to schedule a checkup with your doctor. Often times fatigue can be an indicator of something more serious going on in your body. It’s a solid symptom that many of use overlook and easily dismiss. Listen to your body. Fatigue can mean many number of things, so don’t panic if you’re tired all the time. It could be something as simple as an iron-deficiency that a quick supplement will fix. If you avoid the doctor like me, I know that this one sounds very unappealing! But a quick blood test can determine if you have a medical condition that’s affecting your energy levels.
What do you do when you’re dragging? Any energy boosters I’ve missed?
~Mavis
Tamara says
Good post! I would add making sure you are getting adequate sleep is also important.
Veronica says
Yes! Sleep!
KIm says
I recently had a medical test where I had to eliminate caffeine for 24 hours. I was informed that even decaffeinated coffee and tea has some caffeine.
Ani says
Vitamin B deficiency can cause fatigue as well. Many meds can deplete it, especially diabetic meds. It’s worth getting tested if other things have been ruled out.
Marie says
Mavis, knowing that you are so open about sharing your life events, I can only share how I felt in your same boat. When our daughter left for college ( a goal she worked very hard to achieve) I felt a deep void in my life as she spread her wings and moved away from home base. Don’t get me wrong, this was an event we all wanted her to achieve, but suddenly she wasn’t around every corner in our lives. We celebrated each time she came home and that sense of loss always crept back each time she left to return to her new life. From meal planning ( I still overcook) to laundry habits ( did I strip her bed too?) haunted me for sometime yet I’ve adjusted. It does get better, even joyful as we watched her become her true self! Mothering is so very complicated; no two people walk the same path. My daughter and I played, laughed, shared secrets and cried together as we both grew older and now she has two lovely daughters of her own. Those fun times DO return, just honor your feelings now & keep busy (something I know you are very good at)!
Your energy will return with a new found enthusiasm!
Tamara says
Amen. Amen.
Mr-Yan says
Try chewing gum when you have to stay awake. Learned this listening to late night talk radio on a long drive a few years ago.
It’s weird but works. I’ve got three small kids who think sleep is optional and have survived several boring meetings doing this.
Mary Margaret says
I wrote a blog post on this very topic. I went to my Doctor tired and stressed and downright miserable. After she did some tests she found I had a pretty bad vit D deficiency. I work in a cold grocery store all day and don’t get enough sunlight. I couldn’t believe the difference once I started taking the 5000 MG a day of vit D. If I don’t take it a day I feel like a robot with any power. My husband was astounded and thrilled to get the old me back!