7 WAYS TO COMBAT FATIGUE AND INCREASE YOUR VITALITY
We live in a society of tired and worn out people. We run around from work to chores to home where we face more chores without the needed energy to accomplish these tasks.
We spend time wishing we had more energy. Some think that having that extra cup of coffee or chocolate bar or downing Red Bull energy drinks will keep us going, but it only works for a little bit and you back to feeling yucky again.
Fortunately, there are natural and effective ways you can combat fatigue and increase your energy and vitality.
Make sure there isn’t something physically wrong. There are several physical reasons why you might have chronic fatigue, from thyroid disease, anemia, sleep apnea, heart disease, to arthritis. The only way you can determine if any of these are the problem is to visit your doctor. Many can be treated or reversed so that you can gain energy back.
Exercise. There are times that I’ve to push myself to exercise because I feel tired, but I know that after exercising I get a boost of energy. Being physically active tends to boost your energy levels, not to mention maximize the function of many of your body’s organs. According to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. More than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for aerobic activity that is known to increase energy and vitality, especially as we age.
Keep from being dehydrated. Our cells and digestive system need water and when we drink more coffee than water, we’re depriving our cells of metabolic functions. Keep a water bottle filled and chilled for more energy by fighting dehydration.
Get enough sleep. The best way to get enough sleep is to go to bed early and get at least 7 hours of sleep. In one 2004 study, it was found that people who got adequate sleep were more vigorous and reported less fatigue. Naps are other ways to freshen up your energy level. Try for short naps, no longer than 30 minutes. Any longer than that and you will have difficulty sleeping during the night.
Try an Adaptogen. Watch this short video that explains what an adaptogen is and what supplements can help with fatigue.
Reduce Sugar. In 2014, the NHS responded to an alarming headline by UK newspaper The Daily Mail that claimed, “sugar is the new tobacco.” The NHS found that the link between sugar and obesity is indeed very real and is caused because sugar is loaded with empty calories (energy) that your body stores for later days. Only, the later days never come and eventually all that built-up energy is turned into fat. Not only that, sugar causes highs and lows during the day which impacts your energy.
Eat smaller meals. Large meals zap you of energy because the body needs to use a lot of energy to digest them. Think about a time you ate a buffet, where everyone naturally eats too much food, versus a meal that included a salad. More likely than not when you left the buffet you felt exhausted and wishing someone would wheel you out of there, versus the energy you felt after a raw whole food meal such as a salad.