6 Simple Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels

Article posted in: Lifestyle

energetic woman outside in nature with arms outstretched

You wake up tired in the morning, and find yourself fading even more by the afternoon. You wonder what it would take for you to have more energy. Boost your energy with these six simple tips:

1. Walk for 10 Minutes
That’s all it takes to put a little more pep in your step: Scientists at California State University found a brisk 10-minute walk ups your energy levels and sustains it for two hours. And if you feel inspired, other research shows upping your walk to 20 minutes a few days a week can decrease fatigue by up to 65 percent.

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2. Step Outside
Just being in nature makes people feel more alive, finds a series of studies published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

3. Skip the Vending Machine
Eating potato chips, pretzels, and any other of those highly-processed snack food options causes blood sugar to spike and then crash. When blood sugar drops, energy levels fall as well—plus, you’ll be hungry again in no time. A better afternoon snack contains a combo of protein, fiber and carbs for long-lasting energy, like a handful of nuts and fruit or whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese.

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4. Breathe Slow and Deep
It’s an easy way to diffuse stress—a main cause of both physical and mental exhaustion. Close your eyes and for two minutes, focus all your attention on your breathing. Concentrate on feeling and listening as you inhale and exhale through your nostrils.

5. Drink Water
If your body is short on fluids, one of the first signs is a feeling of fatigue. Water is essential to your energy and metabolism up. To find out how much you should you drink per day, click here:

6. Unplug 30 Minutes Before Bed
That means your tablet, laptop, smart phone and any other electronic gadget that messes with sleep you need. Not only does checking emails or surfing the web make it harder to relax and unwind before bed, but the blue light emitted by screens suppresses the production of the sleep-hormone melatonin, making it harder to fall and stay asleep.