We all are too familiar with the experience of an all-out energy drain. You know the feeling—when you just can’t seem to make it another minute without falling straight into bed. A more insidious feeling, a low-grade energy drain, is sometimes more difficult to recognize. You might feel a lack of interest in an activity you normally love, or your attention span seems shorter or frustration arises with the simplest of tasks. You may also recognize a lack of motivation or an overall tired feeling. If this sounds familiar, never fear. The good news is that there are things we can do to boost our energy. Here are four of my favorite energy boosters.
- Move your body- Take a walk around the block, cubical, office or home. Get your juices flowing! Movement increases blood flow to your brain to wake it up. I know it’s hard to think about moving your body when you are feeling tired, but it’s true! Moving gives you more energy. Some experts say that the positive effects of a 10-minute walk can last for up to two hours.
- Don’t skip meals- Studies show that breakfast and lunch are the most commonly skipped meals. By eating breakfast, you are breaking the fast from the night and giving your body the fuel it needs to get started. Include snacks during the day, such as peanut butter and whole wheat crackers or yogurt and nuts.
- Cut back on simple sugar- Sugar is addictive. When you eat a sweet food, your blood sugar spikes and you feel a burst of energy. Once this wears off, you will experience a rapid drop in blood sugar, leaving you feeling wiped out. Try a healthy protein snack instead.
- Drink more water- You probably already know that sometimes when you are hungry, your body is actually just thirsty. However, another sign of thirst can simply be fatigue. Make sure you are getting in an average of 64 ounces of water each day.
If you continue to feel tired or feel as though there might be something more to the fatigue, visit with your doctor.
Melanie Yunger is a local wife, mom and nurse practitioner.