One of the best indicators that you’re having a great day is the feeling that your energy is high, steady, and that overall you feel good and can enjoy accomplishing the tasks at hand.
Maybe it’s that you bounced out of bed that morning or sang in the shower. Incidentally, have you tried contrast showers or dry skin brushing? That will DEFINITELY get you revved up…but I am getting ahead of myself here.😊 It could be that you didn’t need that extra cup of coffee at 3pm, or that you were able to sustain a solid conversation or play games with the kids after dinner.
Now then, the million dollar question is: how often do you have that feeling? Or more importantly, do you remember the last time you felt that way? It’s normal to have periods of time where life gets so busy that our energy has to be directed to specific tasks, or that we might be overtaxed and tired as a result. But if you’ve been feeling lackluster, or low energy for a long period of time and can’t seem to get out of that funk, it could be time to address your energy levels more proactively. Try exploring these tried and true methods of protecting and bolstering your energy levels.
- Breathe for Energy
While it is a common reaction to stress, shallow breathing prevents the body from receiving enough oxygen and, in a short period of time, depletes the body of energy. This is called hyperventilation. Often, we don’t even notice that our breathing has become quick or shallow until we’re already anxious and exhausted. The trick is to be proactive and mindful of your breathing every day so that you can recognize and respond appropriately when you need to.
One powerful and simple breathing technique I recommend is:
Sit down with both feet on the floor. Close your eyes and press the tip of your tongue against the ridge behind your upper teeth. Exhale completely through your mouth, making a soft sighing sound. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for a count of four. Hold your breath for a count of seven, and then exhale through your mouth for a count of eight.
Repeat for a total of four breaths.
- Short High-Intensity Exercise
Ideally, about a half hour of exercise, three times a week can help you increase your energy and motivation. And some of the best kinds of activity for revving up your energy come in short bursts of high-intensity movement. Whether you choose to take a HIIT class that focuses on interspersing bursts of cardio and strength training, or you decide to get outside on your lunch break for a brisk walk, swinging your arms and moving vigorously, those bursts of exertion will help you rev up your engine and keep you going for the rest of the day. Extra points if these activities happen outside, where you get the additional energy boosting effects of being in nature and getting healthy doses of sunshine!
We have a facebook group called AHS Exercise program, we will be doing these types of exercises in Royal City park in Guelph on Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm starting the third week of May. See our Facebook page or contact the clinic for more information on how to join the group.
- Stay Hydrated
Think of it this way: your body is about 60% water so if you’re dehydrated your body won’t be able to function as well as it should – and it will tell you so. Headaches, lethargy, dry mouth, irritability, these are all signs that you need to hydrate. When your body is hydrated, your blood can more easily carry oxygen and nutrients to where they need to be and that results in a lift of energy!
- Increase Your B12
B-vitamins are also known as the ‘happy vitamins’ for their ability to convert dietary nutrients into chemicals that the body can use for energy. While the body needs a few different varieties of B vitamins, one that is especially tied to good energy is vitamin B12. Exhaustion, pallor, feeling low and tired can all indicate low levels of vitamin B12 in the body. B12 is primarily found in animal-based foods like meat, dairy, and eggs, but is also available in much smaller amounts in plant foods like dark leafy greens, whole grains, legumes, and mushrooms, so be sure that you’re eating a diet rich in this wide variety of fresh foods! For those with severe B12 deficiency, vitamin B12 injections could be helpful because they deliver the vitamin into the muscle tissue and bypass the digestive system which, if compromised, may not absorb the nutrient effectively.
Before supplementing, it is a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider so that you are not taking a supplement that is either unnecessary for you or that may interfere with other supplements or medications. It’s always safer to make sure you are on the right path if you have a trusted healthcare provider such as myself! 😊
- Increase Blood Oxygen
Bet you didn’t realize that all of the previous four suggestions have one thing in common! They all positively affect your energy by pumping more oxygen into your bloodstream. Well-oxygenated blood is better able to carry nutrients, can eliminate toxins efficiently, help us think more clearly, and can greatly diminish fatigue and exhaustion. Want another way to help your body get the oxygen it needs? Add fresh greenery to your home and office. Plants feed off of the carbon dioxide we exhale and replace it with fresh oxygen in the air. So, while you’re taking time to smell the flowers, take some time to sniff the plants as well. You just might find you’re breathing easier and feeling more lively too!
- Intravenous Therapy
Intravenous therapy is a great way to boost your energy levels by supplying nutrients directly into the cells, bypassing the gastrointestinal system. For those who have had absorption concerns or have other concerns that are limiting the amounts of nutrients that they can get into the cells, this is an option. The “Meyer’s cocktail” is an intravenous infusion designed by a physician in Baltimore named John Meyer. He had placed a number of nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, B vitamins, selenium, and zinc together in an iv solution. IV therapy is used for many different health concerns. It also helps to accelerate healing or at the very least, feeling better in order to go after the root cause. Many patients feel a great burst of energy after having a Meyer’s cocktail. No fancy umbrellas needed in this liquid gold!
Maintaining healthy energy levels can be challenging when faced with the stresses of everyday life, but these tips can help you rev up your engine and keep you humming a happy tune all day long. If you still find that your energy levels seem lower than usual, or you are having difficulty sustaining your energy levels over time, you may need a closer look at what is going on and we want to be there to help. Book an appointment to visit Absolute Health Science and let us help you get back to your energetic self. Call us at 519-827-9519 or email us at info@absolutehealthscience.com
Dr. Frances Turk, ND, at Absolute Health Science