If you are ever feeling low on energy, the first thing to think about is your nutrition.
Often times we forget about our diet as the key to maintaining good energy levels.
Before you reach for that next cup of coffee or that energy drink, think of these five strategies to increase your energy naturally.
Hydration: This is the number one factor we often forget about. If you're ever slightly dehydrated, you will feel like you are dragging. By simply drinking enough water, you can be sure this is not the cause of low energy levels. Keep in mind that diet sodas do not hydrate. If you're a diet soda drinker, then you're likely increasing your energy artificially.Vitamins and Minerals: If you exclude any food group or are following an extreme diet, you may lack specific B vitamins or minerals that are needed to maintain energy levels. A simple multivitamin will cover anything you might be missing out on in your diet. However, the goal is to get all your vitamins and minerals from foods, and not have to supplement. But, in some cases like following vegan diets, vegetarian diets, and dealing with food intolerances, you may need supplementation.Glycemic Index: The glycemic index is a good way to tell how quickly a sugar will be used and absorbed by your body. There is no need to follow a low glycemic diet for the average person. But, if you feel like you experience sugar crashes, it might be a good idea to investigate the glycemic index of the foods you typically eat. Carbohydrates: Following a low or no carbohydrate diet can leave you feeling sluggish and unable to focus at times. This is because the brain is not getting enough of the carbohydrates it needs to run efficiently and you start to feel fatigued. By simply adding an extra fruit, or starchy vegetable into your low-carb diet, you will get that energy boost you need to hold you over until your next meal.Exercise: To put this simply, exercise gets gets our blood pumping. You may feel sluggish before your exercise, but as soon as you get warmed up that oxygen will be flowing to your tissues. You will feel increased energy for a few hours following the exercise as well.Do you have any tips or tricks to naturally maintain high energy levels?
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