—Energize Your Body Naturally!

The store shelves are lined with supplements that claim to increase energy levels, and for the most part they do work in the short term.

The main ingredient in most of them is caffeine, which is actually not too bad for your system when limited to a cup or two a day.

The problem with the supplements is that they combine a bunch of other chemicals along with the caffeine, and those chemicals are not so good for your body.

You are better off looking for natural alternatives or just having a cup of coffee without the extra ingredients.

Some supplements use natural components that are already in your body, such as amino acids and B vitamins. While these also may work for you, they come with a lot of other stuff mixed in, including artificial colors and sweeteners.

If you focus on a few of the all natural energy secrets discussed below, you can achieve the same energy response from your body without pills or shakes. Actually, if done on a regular basis you will likely become even more energetic.

Before you spend your hard earned money on expensive supplements, consider five of the best secrets to energize your body naturally.

1. Adequate Sleeping Patterns

If you think you can limit your body to a few hours of sleep a night and “catch up” later, it’s time to rethink your sleeping patterns. One of the most common causes of fatigue is a lack of sleep, but it also happens to be the easiest problem to fix for most people.

Your body needs at least seven hours of sleep every night in order to function properly, and constant deprivation can lead to a chronic lack of energy.

Even if you are in your bed seven or more hours a night, consider how restful your sleep is. The environment in your bedroom has a lot to do with how soundly you sleep, so set yourself up for success by making it as dark, quiet, warm, and cozy as possible.

If you are sleeping with a television on or have other distractions going on around you, then you are likely not getting as much sleep as you may think.

Short snoozes during the day can also give a jolt of energy. Even 15 minutes just to put your feet up and close your eyes can help.

2. Dehydration

This is another common issue that leads to feeling tired and worn out. In fact, when your body runs low on water it can even lead to sensations very similar to hunger, which often causes excessive eating.

Avoid the problem from the get-go and load up on as much fluid as possible.

Just stay away from sugary and carbonated drinks because they will only make you feel even thirstier.

3. Activity Level

How much do you move around during the day? We are not talking about deliberate exercise here, but the amount of your day that is spent doing some kind of normal, every day physical activity on your feet.

There has been a link between physical movement and energy levels, so just getting up and making yourself move around a little can increase your energy level.

If you spend much of your day sitting, then try to get up every hour or so to walk around a bit, even if it is only for a few minutes. The more you move your body the more energetic you are likely to start feeling.

4. Exercise

Since movement creates energy, one of the absolute best ways to feel energetic all day long is to exercise on a regular basis.

Now we are talking about deliberate exercise that boosts your metabolism and your heart rate. Yet, there is a difference between exercising to lose weight and doing it for energy.

While high intensity exercise and really long sessions in the gym will produce more energy, it will also use up most if not all of what is created. You can actually come out of those sessions a little less energetic, though it is still wonderful for your body in other ways.

Studies have shown that lower intensity workouts and short bursts of activity throughout the day are more effective if an increase in energy is the goal.

Taking a 10 or 15 minute walk around the block a couple of times a day or doing some yoga exercises or Pilates will go a long way to focusing your mind and bringing back the energy you now lack.

Of course, the best approach is to mix in lower and higher intensity workouts and keep with it over time. Some studies are now showing that higher intensity workouts may in fact bring a surge of delayed energy after the muscles have recovered, so mixing harder and lighter workouts together on a regular basis will effectively keep you more energetic on a daily basis.

Try eating fruit right before you workout [Eating before exercise], as it is quickly absorbed into the blood stream as an energy source and will give you a burst of energy to get through the workout.

5. Nature’s #1 Source of Energy

If you have noticed that the recommendations for gaining energy naturally sounds quite like the “healthy” living plan that a doctor might give you for losing weight or controlling diabetes or heart disease, you are onto something.

If you think for a moment about what energy actually is, you will see that how we treat our bodies and what we put into it greatly determines what we get back out of it. It’s like your car: you have to put the right type of fuel into the tank if you want optimal performance.

Energy is created naturally when you put food into your system. Your body then has to break down the food you gave it, and either use it for bodily functions, store it as fat, or process it out as waste.

All of this activity is what gives you the energy to carry on with your day or push through that kickboxing class at the Y. Therefore, the food that you put into your system is the best determinant of how much energy you will have at any given time.

So, how do you feed your body so that it stays energetic without those frequent lethargic crashes? It all comes down to what you eat and how often you eat.

Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for your body, but they are not all created equal. Processed, refined, sugary carbs like candy bars and ice cream are processed through your body really quick.

They are broken down and hit your blood stream extremely fast, but since they actually offer little to none of the vitamins and nutrients your body actually needs for bodily functioning, it is also processed and pushed out of your blood quickly. That means you will get an energy spike but within an hour you will feel even more fatigued than ever.

Eating for energy means eating foods that your body will spend more time breaking down and using. This means carbs that are still chock full of nutrients, such as whole grain breads, pasta, and rice.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are also great sources of energy, and fruit actually hits the blood stream quickly just like sugar, making it a great alternative to high calorie sugar-coated sweets.

For the most powerful punch of energy, go for a combination of wholesome carbohydrate with a protein source. For example, wheat crackers with cheese, apples dipped in peanut butter, or a cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Quick Mentions

You may want to check on a few smaller lifestyle issues to see if they are contributing to your fatigue.

If you are taking medications, check if fatigue is a side effect. If so, ask your doctor if there is an alternative medication or an herb that would be just as helpful. Also consider the amount of time you are taking for yourself each day.

A life of serving and worrying over others without caring for your own needs is extremely draining. Constant stress can also wear you down. This is a common problem for women who feel overwhelmed caring for their family, work, friends, and all their other responsibilities.

Take a little “me time” and see if you don’t find yourself revived at least a little. Finally, consider carefully the people you surround yourself with on a daily basis. Is someone dragging you down? Is there a stressful relationship that zaps your energy more than it restores it?

Ultimately, the secret to gaining more energy naturally is to consider every aspect of your current lifestyle and change whatever is necessary to bring a more peaceful, balanced sense to your daily existence.

Think of food as energy, not pleasure. Think of exercise as revitalizing power, instead of a chore. Don’t try to tackle it all at once. Start with small walks and more whole grains and add to it with time.

An energetic life awaits you in the future. Just take baby steps until you get there.