Improving Low Energy

Have you ever wondered if your current state of health is optimal? You might ask yourself why you constantly wake up in the morning feeling tired, why you grab that unhealthy, sugar filled snack or why you feel like napping every afternoon. 

Sometimes we long to know how to increase energy levels and wonder if we need vitamins and supplements for energy. When you have ample energy, it is easier to feel happy, positive and excited about things. However, low energy makes performing everyday tasks extremely difficult. Work becomes daunting, relationships strained and participating in the activities that should make you happy isn't possible because of low energy levels.

Since low energy levels seem to be so common in the hectic modern lifestyle, it is too often considered a normal state of being. The truth is, this is not a normal state. Poor diets, excessive toxins and pollutants in the environment, unbalanced life-styles, lack of exercise, and too much stress are all common factors that may lead to decreased energy levels.

Although sometimes, low energy levels are a not caused by our lifestyles but are instead a symptom of a medical or psychological condition that must be addressed.

“Self-Diagnosing” Low Energy

If fatigue or lack of energy has been a problem for a long time, the first step is to take a look atpossible life-style causes and examine how they can change.

• Am I getting enough regular exercise? (at least 30min, three times a week)
• Am I drinking enough water? (approximately 8 glasses per day)
• Do I avoid dependence on coffee, tea or soda and keep caffeine intake to a minimum? (no more than 1 per day, or completely avoid)
• Do I keep alcohol intake to a minimum? (no more than 1 drink per day, or avoid)
• Do I eat enough RAW fruits and vegetables? (5 or more portions per day)
• Do I eat a balanced diet with recommended carbohydrates, proteins, fats and fibre?
• Am I getting enough iron in my diet? (a blood test is useful)
• Do I eat three meals a day and snack on healthy foods when hungry?
• Do I eat only when I’m hungry and to a comfortably satisfied feeling, not stuffed?
• Do I avoid eating when I’m not hungry or just bored, stressed or emotional?
• Do I avoid overly sugary, fatty or hard to digest foods? (soda, coffee, refined carbohydrates, candy, fried food, excessive meat or dairy, processed or overly cooked food, etc)
• Am I getting enough sleep? (the average person needs between 7-8 hours of QUALITY sleep per night)
• Do I set aside quality rest and relaxation time?
• Do I deal with emotional issues and conflict in a pro-active manner?
• Am I managing my stress levels efficiently?

You're not a cat, don't fall asleep at work!

Image taken from Animals Den

If you answered no to any of these questions, try and rectify those aspects of your life-style bymaking the necessary changes. If your energy improves, you can generally rule out other causes. A deficiency can often be resolved by consciously adding whole, natural foods to your diet, and avoiding those that are overly cooked, processed and refined.

Eliminate Energy-Sappers From Your Diet

Not enough alkaline-forming foods in your diet - Foods that are alkaline-forming include figs, molasses, green leafy vegetables, almonds, beets, dates, celery, cantaloupe, and parsley. Most raw foods like fruits and vegetables are alkalizing, and foods like sugar and animal products are acidifying. In addition to eating alkalizing foods, taking 1 teaspoon of a greens powder (spirulina, chlorella, etc) every morning mixed into juice or a smoothie can also raise energy.

Excess sugar - Excess sugar causes fluctuations in blood sugar, which can result in plummeting energy levels. Try to decrease all forms of refined sugar. Watch out for low-fat foods -- many have forms of sugar, such as high-fructose corn syrup, added to make the food more palatable.

Insufficient protein - With high-protein, low-carb diets being so popular, it's hard to believe it but insufficient protein is a common reason for fatigue. But the key is to get nutrient packed plant-base proteins instead of consuming excessive animal products, which can rob you of vital energy. Pack some trail mix for a quick and convenient protein snack.

Too much coffee - Although coffee initially raises stress hormones and gives a rush of energy, consuming several cups or more of coffee per day can promote burnout and severely exhaust the adrenal glands (help us cope with stress) and result in dehydration (poor kidneys). Try to gradually cut back to one cup a day. If you like the taste of coffee, you may want to try a coffee substitute like “herbal coffee” or even green tea.

Not enough water - One of the most common reasons for low energy is not drinking enough water. Always keep some water with you so that you can sip it throughout the day. Thirst is not a good indicator as you would already be dehydrated by that point.

You can take as many energy boosting herbs, drinks or supplements as you want, but your true, long-term energy will NOT increase until you finally eliminate those energy-sappers from your diet (soda, coffee, refined carbohydrates, candy, fried food, excessive meat or dairy, processed, overly cooked food, etc). Eat whole, natural foods that are minimally processed and you will feel much better and soon be able to conquer the world!