When thinking about the amount of energy you generally have at the start of every morning, you may be forgiven for assuming that, on the days when you are feeling tired and lethargic, this is due to lack of sleep.
Even though the quality and duration of sleep you manage each night do contribute to your energy levels the following day, there are other more effective ways of improving them.
Here is a concise guide to improving your energy levels.
Stop Eating as Much Processed Food
Processed foods all contain a high level of unhealthy fats and too much sugar and salt, not to mention several chemical additives, and even though processed foods are easy for your body to digest, they are so sugary that they are almost guaranteed to cause blood sugar dips.
To make the move from processed to whole foods, the following examples are an excellent place to start:
- Instead of milk chocolate, choose dark chocolate
- Instead of juice and fizzy drinks, choose fruit instead
- Instead of sweet cereal, choose oatmeal and raisins
- Instead of fries, choose baked potatoes
Furthermore, reducing the amount of red meat you consume each week is also another exceedingly healthy choice. If you are unfamiliar with delicious meals containing entirely plant-based proteins, then treat yourself to a meal at a vegetarian restaurant Chicago Loop and discover the huge variety of choices on offer.
Drink More Water
Even though water seems as if it contains nothing but, well, water, the substance itself is vital to keep your body fit and healthy and your brain functioning correctly.
Even if you are only slightly dehydrated, this can still have a hugely detrimental effect on your energy levels, as well as negatively impacting your concentration and mood too. Little changes, such as drinking a glass of water before each evening meal, adding fruit pieces, such as lemon and lime, and investing in a reusable water bottle will all help.
Not only will drinking more water help give you more energy, but it is also an excellent way to help both your brain and your heart function correctly.
Be Better at Managing Your Stress Levels
The third most effective way to improve your energy levels, both in the short and the long term, is to address those areas in your professional life, as well as your personal one, that are cause for stress and worry.
The amount of energy you have in your body is directly related to how stressed your brain is and addressing these triggers and tackling them with learnt coping behaviors will help you immeasurably. Stress is identifiable by weight loss or weight gain, issues with digestion, migraines and headaches, high tension in the body, and prolonged periods of tiredness and fatigue.
Fortunately, even if you are leading a hectic life, there are numerous ways to start managing your stress, such as spending more time outdoors, learning basic meditative techniques, and making sure you are getting enough sleep regularly.