If there’s anything working gals, wives and moms want more of at the end of the day, it’s energy.
I have seriously gotten up some days and been tired by 10 a.m. Not acceptable.
But there are a few things I’ve discovered the past couple of years that help me boost my energy level when it is low.
- Exercise
This is one of those things I make myself do even when I don’t feel like it. I know that I always feel more alert and happier after as little as 20 minutes of movement. - Get out in the sunshine.
When I feel sluggish or a little blue, it is really helpful to get outside. I’ve found that even a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood makes a huge difference in my attitude and energy. - Sneak in a power nap.
This one is a bit harder to make time for, but many studies have shown that a short nap of 20 to 30 minutes has a huge impact. And if you’re someone who has trouble falling asleep that quickly, even lying down and closing your eyes for that long has benefits. - Drink more water.
Sometimes slight dehydration feels like tiredness. Make sure you are getting in those 8 glasses of water a day to avoid feeling draggy. - Eat less sugar.
This is by far the hardest one for me. But eating sugary foods causes your blood sugar to rise and when it goes down again, you just feel tired and crave more sugar. Sound familiar? The only way to stop blood sugar-related sluggishness is to cut back on the sugar. - Improve your sleep.
When it comes to sleep, it’s not just about getting enough (7 hours minimum). It’s about the quality of your sleep as well. If you toss and turn or wake up several times at night, you wake up feeling exhausted. You can improve the quality of your sleep by keeping your bedroom cool, blocking out all light, using a sound machine and/or avoiding screens before bed. - Lower your stress level.
It’s really easy to feel tired when worries and stresses are weighing you down. If this is a regular struggle for you, make it a priority to carve out time for prayer or meditation to help better manage your stress. - Eat smaller meals more frequently.
Ever had a big lunch and wanted to spend the afternoon napping it off? Or feel like Thanksgiving dinner should come with mandatory naptime? That is proof that you are better off eating small meals more frequently than eating large meals that leave you dragging. Some people swear by eating every three hours, but experiment to find what works best for your body. - Make time for a dance break.
Keep a playlist of your favorite, energizing songs to play when you need a pick-me-up. It may sound weird, but cranking up the music, singing aloud and dancing will wake up your body and spirit. My favorite feel-good song currently: this one by Carrie Underwood and Ludacris.
Start with the habits that seem easier to you. Save the ones that require more discipline for later.
And unfortunately, some of these will require you discipline yourself to do them even when you don’t feel like it. And discipline isn’t always fun.
But isn’t feeling better and having enough energy to live your life well worth it?
