Does it surprise you when you start feeling sluggish and fatigued and it is just 12:30 PM? You feel tired and you find yourself yawning uncontrollably.
More often than not, you just feel exhausted. Nothing interests you enough anymore and life has seemingly dulled down. Some term this as a one-off occurrence. But is it really so?
The background about low energy levels
Our previous generation comprised of quite sturdy adults who made the most of their lives. They went out more often and work never stressed them enough to make them sluggish all day long. We remember being around our dads and granddads around far more often than our kids gets to see us.
What has gone wrong here is that we centralize everything around work so much that we forget about minding our own health. Eating from takeouts more than required, irregular sleep patterns and stressful environments contribute to the sluggish demeanor you experience regularly these days.
What is the impact?
You end up resorting to sipping extra cups of coffee or inhaling three more cigarettes, thinking this would give you enough rush to help you make it through the day. In reality, it only ends up making things worse for you. You are intentionally putting in toxins in your body when you choose to smoke. You think there would be no implications to that? When has inhaling toxins been beneficial? Your body has to work extra to manage the toxins you inhale via smoking, which in turn affects your energy levels.
How to counter low energy levels?
A majority of quitters have reported that life has been more energetic and zesty since they quit the bud. But that is just one way to boost your energy levels. If you are one of those who feels drained in the middle of the day, here is what may help you.
- Vegetable juices
The age-old remedy to all your problems; a good glass of vegetable juice will provide you with enough nutrients to get through the day. People on the clock complain that they do not have enough time to cook up veggies.
Well, grind them up and gulp it down. When you devoid your body of necessary nutrients, it refuses to cooperate with you, thereby getting sluggish.
- Quit smoking
As mentioned earlier, smoking does you no good whatsoever. And while it is understood that quitting can be a hard thing to do for chronic smokers, there also exists an alternative.
Vaping is less harmful than traditional smoking and can thus help you inch towards quitting for good. Use an e-cigarette when you feel the urge to smoke.
Slowly and eventually, you will abandon the traditional cigarette, which will do you a world of good.
- Regulate your carb consumption
Carbs are said to provide your body with energy but the downside to this is too much carb consumption can eventually make you sluggish. Sugary juices, cookies that you munch on, and processed foods like bread and pasta are the culprits here.
They lay low in your diet, present themselves as essentials but consequently drain you of your energy. Stick to whole grain bread, nuts, legumes, sweet potatoes, oats and brown rice which are low-glycemic carbs. Simply put, they provide your body with a steady flow of energy.
- Vitamins
Lack of vitamins, especially Vitamin B, which is often regarded as the “energy vitamin” could lead to regular lethargy. It is recommended to up the intake of Vitamin B12 when you are struggling with energy issues. Since it a water-soluble vitamin, your body cannot store it. Hence it requires timely replenishment.
- Exercise
This may seem counterproductive but is essential. People usually believe that exercise makes them feel tired. Yes, it does. But this is the kind of tiring your body needs.
Burning the stored calories and putting your body through healthy workout increases the flow of blood through your heart, thus leading to more oxygen flowing through your system.
- Herbal teas
Excessive caffeine running through your body will probably give you a rush but is not entirely healthy for you. Replacing your tea with herbal tea is a good alternative as it naturally boosts your energy levels without the risks that come with stimulants.
Green tea is a trendy option you could opt for. It is said to have radical-fighting properties which help your body fight damage in your body cells. It is antioxidant rich and helps your body rejuvenate thoroughly.
Parting words
Keeping up with good health is the only way you can battle lack of energy. Fatigue and lethargy are consequences of a poor diet and lifestyle. Let not your work steal you of your youthful exuberance. Remember that your body requires adequate nutrients and rest to function at its prime. The more you care about your health, the more energetic you will feel. It is a win-win situation.