Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Energy

Wonder Why Some People Seem to Have Endless Energy?

You know the type. They always seem awake, alert, ready to achieve, even as your energy level seems to have hit “Empty.”

If energy seems hard to come by these days, you’re not alone. Close to one-third of respondents to the National Sleep Foundation poll said they have missed work or other events, or made errors at work, because of being too sleepy.

So what is the secret that these “other” people, the ones with the seemingly endless energy, know that you don’t? It’s not that their lives are necessarily any easier, any less complicated or any less crammed with things to do. And their days are not any less laced with the trials and tribulations of a normal life.

Experts Offer Some Fatigue-Zapping Tips That Really Work.

Everyone is familiar with all-out energy drain — that exhausted day (or night) when no matter how enticing that new movie, fabulous shoe sale, or friendly barbecue, we just can’t psych ourselves up to go. What can be harder to recognize is a low-grade energy drain. In this case, you may not necessarily feel the classic signs of exhaustion — like achy muscles or that all-over tired feeling. What you do experience is an increasing lack of get-up-and-go for many of the activities you used to love. You may also find it harder to concentrate on tasks, and, eventually, you can also find your patience grows short and your level of frustration rises, even when confronted with seemingly simple challenges. If this is starting to sound familiar, take heart.

Energy zappers are all around us, some obvious, some hidden. The good news: There is a way around almost all of them. To this end, health experts compiled this list of the top 10 energy boosters. Try one, two, or all 10, and you’re bound to see your energy levels soar.

1. Increase Your Magnesium Intake

Eating a balanced diet can help ensure your vitamin and mineral needs are met. But if you still find yourself too pooped to pop, you could have a slight magnesium deficiency. This mineral is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including breaking down glucose into energy. So when levels are even a little low, energy can drop. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is around 300 milligrams for women and 350 milligrams for men.

2. Walk Around the Block

While it may seem as if moving about when you feel exhausted is the quickest route to feeling more exhausted, the opposite is true. Experts say that increasing physical activity – particularly walking – increases energy. In experiments conducted by Robert Thayer, Ph.D., at California State University, a brisk 10-minute walk not only increased energy but the effects lasted up to two hours. And when the daily 10-minute walks continued for three weeks, overall energy levels and mood were lifted.

3. Take a Power Nap

Research has shown that both information overload and pushing our brains too hard can zap energy. But studies by the National Institutes of Mental Health found that a 60-minute “power nap” can not only reverse the mind-numbing effects of information overload, it may also help us to better retain what we have learned.

4. Don’t Skip Breakfast — Or Any Other Meal

Studies show that folks who eat breakfast report being in a better mood and have more energy throughout the day. The theory is that “breaking the fast” soon after rising supplies your body with a jolt of fuel that sets the tone for the whole day. Moreover, studies published in the journal Nutritional Health found that missing any meal during the day led to an overall greater feeling of fatigue by day’s end.

5. Reduce Stress and Deal With Anger

One of the biggest energy zappers is stress. Stress is the result of anxiety, and anxiety uses up a whole lot of our energy. Like worry or fear, stress can leave you mentally and physically exhausted — even if you’ve spent the day in bed. More commonly, low but chronic levels of stress erode energy levels, so over time, you find yourself doing less and feeling it more. In much the same way, unexpressed anger can give a one-two punch to your energy level. The good news is that we can counter these energy killers by programming more relaxation activities into our day. While for many folks, the increasing exercise burns off the chemical effects of stress and anger, others find relief in quiet pursuits: listening to music, reading a steamy romance novel, or even just talking on the phone.

6. Drink More Water and Less Alcohol

You may already know that it’s easy to confuse signals of hunger with thirst (we think we need food when we really need water). But did you know that thirst can also masquerade as fatigue? Sometimes, even slight dehydration can leave you feeling tired and lethargic. The solution is simple: a tall, cool glass of water. This is particularly important to boost energy after exercise when your body is likely to be craving fluids. Conversely, if you find yourself frequently fatigued even after a good night’s sleep, try cutting down on alcohol during the evening hours. While alcohol initially helps you fall asleep, it also interferes with deep sleep, so you’re not getting the rest you think you are — even if you sleep a full eight hours. By cutting down on alcohol before bedtime, you’ll get a better night’s rest, which is bound to result in more energy the next day.

7. Eat More Protein and Less Sugar

The key here is keeping blood sugar balanced so energy is constant. When you’re eating sweet food, you get a spike in blood sugar, which gives you an initial burst of energy. But that’s followed by a rapid drop in blood sugar, which in turn can leave you feeling very wiped out. Do that enough times a day and by evening you’re feeling exhausted. If you eat often and low carb, which provides a slow and steady release of fuel, your energy will be consistent and balanced, so by day’s end you’ll feel less tired.

8. Have a Power Snack

Power snacking is more than just eating between meals. A snack should combine protein, a little fat and some fiber – like peanut butter on a whole-wheat cracker, or some yogurt with a handful of nuts. The carbs offer a quick pick-you-up, the protein keeps your energy up, and the fat makes the energy last.

9. Make it a Latte

Pair a quick caffeine hit with the sustaining power of protein by having a low-fat latte instead of just a cup of coffee. All that milk turns your java into a protein drink, which provides not only extra energy but extra calcium, which is good for your bones. Combine it with an ounce of almonds, and the healthy fat will really tide you over — while making you feel you’re spoiling yourself silly!

10. Check Your Thyroid Function and Complete Blood Cell Count

It certainly won’t provide an instant boost. But if you’re constantly low on energy — especially if you feel sluggish even after a good night’s rest – you should talk to your doctor about a blood test for thyroid dysfunction as well as anemia. The thyroid can be a particular problem for women – it often develops after childbirth and frequently during the perimenopause – but a simple blood test can verify if this is your problem. If you’re diagnosed with low thyroid function, medication can bring your body back up to speed. In anemia, a reduction in red blood cells can mean your body isn’t getting the level of oxygen necessary to sustain energy. So, you tire easily.