Top 5 Ways to Increase Your Energy Today!

Do you suffer from low energy? Do you wish that you could have the energy of your youth? Not even sure if it’s possible?! The activities that we engage in on a daily basis can either energize us or zap our energy. Do you know how your daily routine is affecting you? Check out my top 5 energy-boosting tips below and try them out today. You’ll be feeling like a kid again in no time!

1. Drink more water – The body is 75% water, so it makes sense that this essential fluid must be continually replenished. We can go a month without food, but we can live only two or three days without water. It is crucial to our survival. Unfortunately, a large majority of the American population is dehydrated, which decreases our energy levels. A good way to increase your water consumption is to purchase a re-usable water bottle and start experimenting with the amount of water that is best for your body and level of activity.

2. Increase leafy green vegetables – And I’m not talking about iceberg lettuce! I mean the darker more nutrient dense greens like kale, collards, mustards, arugula and spinach. (Although spinach is highly nutritious, it should be eaten in moderation due to the high oxalic acid content, which can deplete calcium from bones and teeth.) These darker greens have soaked up more energy from the sun and that energy gets passed on to you when you eat them. Learning how to cook and eat greens is essential for creating lasting health. Greens purify the blood, strengthen the immune system, promote healthy intestinal flora and improve liver, gallbladder and kidney function. If dark leafy greens are missing from your daily menu, try selecting a new green at the market each week. For more information about greens and delicious recipes, check out Greens, Glorious Greens! by by Johnna Albi & Catherine Walthers.

3. Eat less processed sugar, meat and dairy – Yeah I said it. I’m not saying that you have to give it up for good, just eat less of it. These foods can wreak havoc on your digestive system, keeping nutrients from being properly absorbed. When the body cannot absorb the nutrients it needs, it cannot give us the energy we need. If you do eat these foods, do so in moderation and be sure to choose the freshest and highest quality. Look for organic meat products, natural sweeteners and unprocessed dairy where available.

4. Eat locally and seasonally – Eating seasonally is one of the best things that you can do for your body. Mother Nature is a smart gal. She produces the perfect, most nourishing and supportive foods, at exactly the right time of year. Check out farmer’s markets and local farms that offer Community Supported Agriculture programs for the best value locally grown and produced food items.

5. Get your optimal amount of sleep daily – Sleep helps us thrive by contributing to a healthy immune system. Even though you’re off in restful dreamland, your body is still hard at work doing things like growing and repairing tissue, and resting and repairing neurons. If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and the release of hormones regulating growth and appetite. Everyone’s body is different, so there is no one magic number of required hours of sleep for optimal health. Experiment and figure out how many hours you need to wake up feeling rested and ready for the day, and then make sure you’re getting that amount daily.