Natural energy boosters

Personally, I get sluggish at least once during the day; alright it’s probably more like three times! I need some natural energy boosters to get me going.

On an average day, 3:00 p.m. seems to trigger a sleep response in me. I can barely concentrate, and my eyes want to close. I wish I could take a nap, but since work won’t stop so I can sleep (for some reason?!), I’ve had to figure out ways to jump start me energy and get energized again. Here are some natural tips I’ve found have worked for me.

Eat regularly

Try to eat at regular times throughout the day to help you to keep your energy up.

• Eating breakfast helps give you more energy throughout the day.
• Eat lunch and keep healthy snacks with you that you can grab when you need a boost.
• Canadian and USA guidelines can steer you in the right direction about the amounts of food that are appropriate. Modify them to your specific needs. Try to make sure to include lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Try to avoid foods with chemical additives and reduce your intake of sugar, red meat, unhealthy fats, caffeine, salt, refined carbohydrates, and alcohol. These will all make you feel lethargic.
  • My love for exquisite sauces and rich food does not help my cause!

Foods that improve energy

There are specific foods that can boost your energy overall as well as give you a quick fix. These options are vegan and allergen-free. Increasing your magnesium is one great way to energize. Nuts are a great source, but since they are not allergen-free, these options can also do the trick.

• Blueberries
• Beans
• Cantaloupe
• Strawberries
• Mango
• Spinach
• Tea (I know, it’s not food but I wanted to include it anyway!)
• Tomatoes
• Soy
• Citrus fruit, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, etc.
• Peppers
• Sweet potatoes

Get moving

One way to get a quick burst of energy is to get up and move, even for a short period. You need to make the most of the breaks you have at work or during your day, even if you feel like it will set you back. You can be far more productive when your energy is higher.

• If you sit for long periods of time, try to take some time to stretch, walk around or take the stairs.
• Make sure you stand up to get your circulation going if you’ve been sitting for a while.
• Exercising at least 2.5 hours a week will help you keep energy levels up consistently.

Clean up!

There’s no other way to say it – clean up your stuff!

• Let in some fresh air. Whenever possible, open up your window(s) to let in some air. Even during winter months, it’s a good idea to open them up for short periods of time.
• Keep indoor plants. Since plants produce oxygen, they can make a difference to improved breathing indoors, which helps increase your energy.
• Improve ventilation. You can help improve your air circulation by opening up doors and windows periodically. For example, try sleeping with your bedroom door open, even if it’s just slightly ajar.
• Declutter. If you are working at home, or at home for long periods, try tomake sure your space is dust free and uncluttered. You would be surprised at how much it can help you feel more energized.

Hopefully, you’ll find one or more of these tips will help you keep your energy up throughout the day. Do you have any other natural energy boosters?

Check out my other posts for some more healthy living tips!