Does this sound familiar? It’s 11 AM and you’re on your third cup of coffee already, barely keeping your eyes open, gathering every ounce of energy left just to power through the day. If you often feel sluggish and worn out, then this article is for you. We’ve put together some simple tips and tricks that will help you increase your energy levels, no sorcery or magic involved.
Get more (and better quality) sleep
This is a no-brainer: you need proper rest in order to have enough energy to function. Not getting proper sleep will result in you feeling sluggish, groggy, tired, and unmotivated and no amount of coffee will fix it. Strive to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, if you can. Perhaps, establishing a nighttime routine would be helpful: go to bed at around the same time every night, stay away from technology, and avoid caffeine before bedtime. Also, no snoozing in the morning! Your body will not benefit from those extra minutes of sleep and snoozing will just leave you feeling more tired. So it’s true – if you snooze you lose.
Reduce stress
We know that this is easier said than done, but there are ways to reduce stress and anxiety which would subsequently boost your energy. If your daily schedule is too overwhelming or you’re trying to multitask and manage several things at once, hubmee will help you make sense of it all and reduce your stress levels. Once you sort through your tasks, to-do lists, and responsibilities with hubmee’s help, you’ll be able to relax a little and your energy resources will be replenished. Staying organized and on top of your game will also free up some time for yourself – a crucial step towards having more energy.
Reassess your coffee consumption
Yes, we know you love coffee, but hear us out. We’re not telling you to stop drinking coffee altogether, but instead, switch to smaller doses throughout the day. Large amounts of caffeine consumed within a short period of time will have an opposite effect – you’ll crash, feeling more tired and sleepy than before. But if you drink coffee in smaller quantities throughout the day, you’ll stay alert longer and your energy levels will remain high.
Regular exercise
You might think regular physical activity will deplete your energy reserves and make you feel more tired and drowsy. On the contrary, regular exercise is a great way to boost your energy! It’ll get your heart pumping, release much-needed endorphins, and lead to better sleep, among other significant benefits. And you don’t even need to invest in fancy equipment or sign up for expensive fitness classes. A 20-minute daily walk around the neighborhood will go a long way towards higher energy and better mood.
Limit sugar intake
If you’re wondering what are the foods that boost your energy, sweet and processed items are most definitely NOT on that list. Yes, sweet and processed foods will give you a quick, short-term energy boost, but then your energy level will drop just as fast, leaving you feeling tired. If you’re craving something sweet, but want to avoid feeling fatigued, go for healthier alternatives such as fresh berries, dried fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate. In addition to giving you an energy kick, such foods will help minimize the risk of more serious chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
Stay hydrated
You may not even realize that the reason why you feel tired and groggy is because you’re not drinking enough water. Dehydration can have serious consequences for your cognitive function, mood, energy levels, performance, and more, so make sure to consume enough water throughout the day. If you exercise regularly or live in a hot climate (or both!), then your water intake should be even higher.
Get a health check
If your energy levels are constantly low and nothing works, maybe it’s a good idea to get a health check to see which changes you need to make to get your energy levels back up. Perhaps, you’re lacking some vital nutrients and vitamins and taking supplements prescribed by a medical professional can help boost energy levels. And you can always keep track of your doctor’s appointments with hubmee!
With love, your hubmee ❤️